Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
S arah had been dreading this conversation for days, no, years, since high school really, but more so since Travis had shown back up in her life.
She’d managed to put it off while she and Travis were snowed in at the lake house, curled up by the fire, wrapped in thick blankets, talking about everything and nothing. It had been a perfect weekend, untouched by the outside world. No phones, no distractions—just them, lost in the warmth of the cabin and the easy comfort of being together again.
But now? Reality had set back in.
And reality meant facing Tatum.
They met at their favorite coffee shop, a cozy, book-filled place on the corner of downtown. It smelled like vanilla and cinnamon, and the soft hum of chatter filled the space. Sarah had chosen this spot for a reason. Everyone was in a good mood surrounded by good smells and books.
Tatum arrived with her usual flair—hair swept up into a messy bun, oversized sweater draped off one shoulder, and an oat milk latte already in hand. She spotted Sarah immediately and slid into the chair across from her.
“Alright,” Tatum said, setting her drink down. “You’re being weird. What’s up?”
Sarah bit her lip, twisting her fingers together. She should have known she couldn’t ease into this.
Tatum’s eyes narrowed. “Oh no. You’ve got that guilty face. What did you do?”
Sarah took a deep breath, her stomach tightening. “It’s about Travis.”
That got her attention. Tatum leaned forward, interest sparking in her eyes. “Okay…? Go on.”
Sarah hesitated, then just ripped off the Band-Aid. “What would you say if I told you that I, um… might have feelings for him?”
Tatum blinked. Then she snorted, shaking her head. “Sarah. Come on. That’s it?”
Sarah’s heart dropped. “Oh no, you hate it, don’t you?”
“No!” Tatum held up her hands. “I don’t hate it. I’m just—” She stopped, narrowing her eyes. “Wait. Might have feelings? Really? That’s what we’re going with?”
Sarah sighed, rubbing her temples. “Okay, fine. I do have feelings for him. I have for… a long time.”
Tatum took a slow sip of her latte, watching Sarah over the rim. She was enjoying this, the menace.
Sarah groaned. “Just say it.”
Tatum set her drink down. “Sarah. Let’s be real. You’ve been in love with Travis since high school.”
Sarah froze. “What?”
Tatum rolled her eyes. “Please. The way you used to look at him? The way you avoided talking about him every time I brought him up? I’m your best friend, not an idiot.”
Sarah’s face burned. “And you never said anything?”
Tatum shrugged. “I figured if you wanted to tell me, you would. And honestly? I thought maybe you and Travis just… I don’t know, missed your window. You two have been weird about each other forever.”
Sarah slumped back in her chair. “Wow. That’s humiliating.”
Tatum smirked. “A little, yeah.” Then she tilted her head, studying Sarah more seriously. “But what I don’t get is why you’re freaking out about it now.”
Sarah exhaled slowly. “Because it’s different now. We spent the weekend together at the lake house, just us. And it was… really good, Tate.”
Tatum’s eyes softened. “You mean, like good good?”
Sarah nodded. “Yeah. We talked, we laughed, we—I don’t know, clicked again. I’ve been trying to pretend like he’s just my best friend’s brother, but he’s not. He’s Travis. And I don’t want to keep pretending anymore.”
Tatum was quiet for a moment, tapping her nails against her cup. “So, let me get this straight. You and my brother, the one you’ve secretly been in love with for years, finally spent real time together. And now you’re asking me if I’m okay with it?”
Sarah nodded, her throat suddenly tight. “I wouldn’t do this if it made things weird between us, Tate. You’re my best friend. You matter to me. I need to know you’d be okay with it before I—before we?—”
“Before you do anything … more about it,” Tatum finished for her.
Sarah swallowed. “Yeah.”
Tatum sighed, then leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling like she was debating something. After a long moment, she finally met Sarah’s gaze again.
“Sarah, I love my brother,” she said. “And I love you. So the idea of you two together? Yeah, it’s weird, but not in a bad way. Just in a why-did-this-take-so-long kind of way.”
Sarah’s breath caught. “So… you’re okay with it?”
“As long as you don’t kill each other while you’re trying.” Tatum gave her a pointed look. “If Travis makes you happy, and you make him happy, then yeah. I’m more than okay with it. I want this for you guys.”
A wave of relief crashed over Sarah, her shoulders finally releasing the tension. “You have no idea how much I needed to hear that.”
Tatum grinned. “I do actually, because you’ve been sitting there looking like you were about to pass out for the last ten minutes.”
Sarah laughed, the weight on her chest lifting.
Then Tatum’s expression turned more serious. “But, Sarah… this isn’t just some casual thing, is it? Not an itch you need to get past from when you were young?”
Sarah shook her head. “No. It’s not.”
Tatum studied her for a long moment, then nodded. “Then just promise me one thing.”
“Anything.”
“Don’t hurt him,” Tatum said softly. “Travis isn’t like some of these other guys, Sarah. He’s all in when he cares about someone. And I think… I think he’s been waiting for you for a long time.”
Sarah’s throat tightened, emotions rising in her chest. “I won’t hurt him,” she said, voice steady. “I swear.”
Tatum exhaled, then broke into a smile. “Well then. I guess we have a lot to talk about.”
Sarah grinned back. “Yeah. We really do.”
Tatum reached for her latte again, a mischievous glint in her eye. “So, tell me everything. Well, I mean, mostly everything.” She fake gagged.
Sarah rolled her eyes but laughed, the tension finally gone.
Everything felt lighter now—easier.
She and Travis still had things to figure out. She still had to navigate her job, the pressure from Jess, and the mess she’d made with the articles.
But for the first time in a long time, Sarah felt like she was finally heading in the right direction.
And this time, she wasn’t afraid to follow her heart.