Page 80 of One Foggy Christmas
Sadie stands between us, fidgeting with her ear.
“It was nice to see you.” Stetson flashes her a smile as he begins to walk away. “Let’s catch up sometime.”
“I’d love that!” Her eagerness is my worst nightmare. She blatantly follows Stetson’s departure with her eyes.
I suck in a deep breath, reminding myself of everything between us. Once upon a time, she had Stetson, but shechoseme instead. Now isn’t the time for jealousy.
“You look amazing.” I draw her distracted attention back to me. “I’ve never seen you wear sequins before.”
“Oh.” Her eyes drop down her outfit. “This is Annie’s dress. Thanks to my recent weight loss, I can fit into it.”
“I can go upstairs and put on a tie if you want. I didn’t know this was such a formal affair.”
“No, it’s fine.” Her gaze darts across the room like she’s keeping tabs on Stetson’s whereabouts.
“Do you want some cider?”
“Uh…” She brings her stare to me, forcing a smile. “Yeah, let’s get some cider.”
Out of habit, my hand goes to the small of her back, guiding her like I’ve done a million times before. Except, this time, she stiffens at my touch, causing me to drop my arm.
Besides when she woke up and said she didn’t remember me, no moment has hurt as much as this one.
SADIE
Stetson.
I hoped he would be here tonight. I dressed as if he would.
Seeing his face—his smile—brings to life all the feelings my mind so easily recalls.
What I can’t find with Nash is at the forefront of my heart with Stetson. It doesn’t make sense, but it’s there, and it’s easy.
“Did you try my mom’s homemade Oreos?” It’s a pathetic opening line after breaking a man’s heart and not seeing him for three years, but that’s what I start with when I join Stetson at the dessert table. “I have a feeling she made them for you.”
He grins, and oh, I’ve missed that smile. “I’ve already had three. You know they’re my favorite.”
“I remember.”
He shifts his body in my direction. “What else do you remember about me?”
“Everything.” I laugh, but when his brows hike up, I modify my answer. “Well, noteverything.I don’t know how I woke up married to some random guy instead of you.”
He fights the smile my words bring. “I honestly don’t know either.”
I glance to the side where Nash is conversing with my neighbor who lives two doors down.
A moment of freedom.
“Do you want to…maybe…”Why is this so hard to say?“Get out of here or something? Catch up like you said?”
“I’d love to.”
So would I.
I spin to leave, not glancing back to Nash.
NASH
