Page 96 of One Foggy Christmas
“This looks fun.” I glance around the room, taking in the Christmas garland and giant red bows.
“There’s Annie and my parents.”
It’s not until we start walking toward them that I see Stetson and the pretty blonde beside him. She’s not as beautiful as my wife, but she seems nice enough.
Sadie’s feet trip up. I glance down to see if she stepped on her dress or something, but when my eyes lift, I follow her gaze to Stetson and his date, and I know the reason for her falter.
I press my hand against the small of her back, coaxing her forward again until we join the circle of Bradleys and Roeshines.
“What a party, huh?” I say in an effort to shatter the tenseness I know she feels.
“Oh, Sadie, you look absolutely lovely,” Stetson’s mom gushes.
“Thank you.” She smiles as her eyes drift to Stetson.
“This is Savannah.” He gestures to the woman beside him. “And this is Nash and Sadie.”
“It’s so nice to meet you.” Savannah extends her hand, and I visibly see the moment Sadie masks the unrest she feels, replacing it with a smile.
“Same to you.”
“Savvy and I are going to hit the dance floor. We’ll talk to you all later.”
“Do you want to dance?” I ask, trying to pull Sadie’s attention back to me.
“Not right now.” She shakes her head, eyes darting in Stetson’s direction before returning. “I think I’ll just sit at a table.”
“I’d love to dance,” Lynette speaks up.
“I would too,” Annie says.
“Will you do me the honors?” I hold my hand out to my mother-in-law as I smile at Sadie, proud of myself for coming up with another old-fashioned saying, but she doesn’t notice. She focuses on the dance floor and the couple swinging in and out.
“I’d love to!” Lynette puts her hand in mine, glancing back over her shoulder. “Jay, you’ll dance with Annie, won’t you?”
“Of course.”
“You’ll be okay by yourself?” I hesitate, wanting to make sure Sadie doesn’t feel abandoned.
“Yep.” She smiles.
Something tells me Sadie doesn’t need anyone to keep her company. She seems pretty preoccupied with Stetson and his date.
SADIE
“Do you mindif I join you?” Stetson asks, pulling out the chairbeside me.
I lost track of him and Savvy twenty minutes ago. I honestly thought they left.
“Where’s Savannah?” My eyes follow his broad shoulders as he takes a seat.
“She’s dancing with her little brother.”
“She’s beautiful. I’m happy for you both.”Biggest lie I’ve ever said. Actually, I wasn’t lying about the part where I said she was beautiful, because she is.
“You’re not happy.” He smirks. “I can see it all over your face.”
“Are you happy for me and Nash?”
