Page 19 of One Foggy Christmas
His shoulders drop in defeat. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought any of this up right now. We’ll figure our stuff out later. None of us are handling our emotions well this week.” He extends his hand to me like an invitation to join him inside. “Come on. Let’s go patch things up with your parents.”
“I can’t forgive them, not when I know they could’ve helped Tate and didn’t.”
“I don’t agree with you on this.”
“You don’t have to.”
He shakes his head almost as if he’s disappointed. Then he turns, deciding to go back inside without me.
I feel like I can’t breathe here.
And I definitely won’t be able to breathe easier inside.
I spin around, running toward the field next to the church.
NASH
Sadie roundsthe corner in a rush, colliding with my body.
Her feet trip over mine, forcing me to wrap my arms around her so she doesn’t topple to the ground. Glossy brown eyes peer up at me as I steady her against my chest, holding her to me. There’s one calm moment where I swear I see a flicker of relief in her eyes, something that says she’s happy I’m here.
Without thinking, I pull her into a hug. “I’m so sorry about your brother.”
She lets me hold her, even buries her face into my neck as she cries. I run my hand down the back of her hair over and over, comforting her. There’s nothing inappropriate about this. It’s just one person being there for another.
After a minute, she pulls out of my arms, wiping at her puffy eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m such a mess right now.”
“You don’t have to apologize.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I came outside to make a phone call, but when I finished, I couldn’t leave because you were in a serious conversation with Stetson. It didn’t seem like a good time to jump in and say hello.”
Her brows pinch together. “I meant, what are you doing in Skaneateles? Not outside.”
“Oh.” I shrug, embarrassed that I just admitted to eavesdropping on her private conversation. “I came to pay my respects and see how you were holding up.” I glance away from her, squinting my eyes against the fading sun. Explaining why I’m here sounds crazier than it is. I lift my shoulders, darting my gaze back to her. “It just seemed like the right thing to do. Funerals are pivotal life events.”
Her lips press into a closed-mouth smile. “I’m learning that the hard way.”
The evening sun casts the perfect glow across her face. She looks as beautiful as ever with her tear-stained cheeks, runny nose, and crying eyes.
“I’m sorry about what you just heard.” She gestures over her shoulder to where she’d been talking with Stetson. “I’m so embarrassed.”
“About what?” My tone makes light of the situation. “Yourex-boyfriend shaming you for blaming your parents for your brother’s death or the part where he accused you of something going on with me?”
“Ohhhh,” she says on a sigh. “All of it.”
“I have to say, out of all the conversations I’ve accidentally stumbled upon, that one was by far the most dramatic.”
Sadie laughs.Actuallylaughs. And nothing makes my heart happier.
“Do you accidentally stumble upon a lot of private conversations?” Her smile stays even as she asks the question.
“You’d be surprised. The key is hiding around corners.”
“So you weren’t making a phone call, just waiting to eavesdrop.”
“Guilty,” I joke. “Now you know my secret.”
