Chapter 9 Sadie
SADIE
Ifan myself with one of the itineraries I presented to the town board and walk to the side of the room to look out the window.
I wish these would open from the inside.
I could use a little air right now. Instead, I see my reflection, which looks like someone barely holding it together.
Though when the volunteers come in, I hope they see it as more of an overworked event planner than a woman who just almost kissed her ex.
I check my lipstick in the glass—still intact. Barely.
Danny’s footsteps have hardly faded down the hall when the door swings open and Kylie walks back in, making a beeline for me. I turn and cross my arms, leaning against the windowsill. She stops in front of me and tilts her head.
“You still look flushed from your ‘nothing happened’ that happened a few minutes ago.”’ I clear my throat and push off the window, but she steps in front of me. “Talk to me.”
“Just Danny being Danny.”
She looks around and whispers, “Where is he?”
I wave my hand about. “He said he was going to get coffee for everyone coming in to help.” I check my watch. “Which is in the next five minutes, so if we could do this later, that’d be great.
“Just tell me quickly. Something almost happened,” she says with a bit too much excitement. “I know an almost kiss when I see one.”
“He was just standing close.”
“Hmm. So close you didn’t hear the door open? Or me walking in? Until I announced myself.”
“Kylie, not now. I know you live for this type of unplanned excitement, but I really need to focus on this gala. If you’re here to help, please, just help.”
“Hmm.” Kylie eyes me. “You always do this.”
I drop my arms in annoyance. “Do what?”
“Pretend you don’t care. When you so obviously do.”
I groan and drop into a folding chair, burying my face in my hands for a second before exhaling hard. “It’s not like I want to care.”
Kylie’s tone softens, her teasing fading into something gentler. “Then why do you?”
I look at her, the words catching in my throat before they finally come out. “Because even when he drives me completely insane, he still knows how to make my world fun, different. Quiet.”
That hangs there between us. I don’t hold anything back from my sister, but I try not to talk too much about how my mind spins out of control.
It’s not something I want her to worry about, but we’re just so completely different that she doesn’t understand my need for order.
Or the need for someone to calm it, even if I fight him on every turn.
Kylie nods slowly. “Then let him.”
The door creaks open again. Danny walks in with two bags hanging off his arm, two trays of coffee, and that smug grin like he doesn’t already know exactly what he interrupted.
“Did I miss something?”
Kylie and I speak at the same time.
“No.”
“Yes.”
He raises an eyebrow, and I smack my sister.
He places everything on the table and takes a coffee from the tray, handing it to me. “Extra whipped cream.” I take the coffee from him, and maybe I let my fingers brush his when I do.
Today was amazing. We got so much done with all the volunteers and the kids who also showed up.
It makes me so happy to see them working so hard.
Matt’s son, Liam, is going to be the star of the show, I just know it.
He got onstage and belted out Christmas songs, which reminded me of Danny.
He was just enjoying life and having fun.
When the mayor arrived, he was quite impressed with our design. He congratulated me on the work done well so far and said he couldn’t wait for the rest of the town to enjoy it.
I’m flying high off his praise and actually feeling like I’m finally living out my dream of being an event organizer. And I have Matt to thank for it. If he hadn’t brought me on to handle the National Wine Day Event, none of this would be happening.
Including Danny.
Planning his birthday party with Matt and Kylie was fun, and deep down, I wanted to give him the best day ever.
I chalked it up to needing to get along because Matt and Kylie are having a baby, and of course, Matt and Danny are best friends.
But in the back of my mind, I wanted him to see what I did for him. I enjoyed it, and I hoped he did, too.
The auditorium is empty and quiet, exactly how I had hoped to start the morning. I'll pretend I’m not upset that Danny left when everyone else did. But when Kylie followed him right out the door, I knew something was up.
I shouldn’t be watching them. But I am. I stand to the side of the window, hoping they can’t see me looking out and watch as Kylie catches up to Danny in the parking lot, fast and sharp like she’s on a mission.
I know that walk, well, slight waddle since she’s pregnant, but she’s in full interrogation mode, and Danny doesn’t even flinch.
He leans against his truck like he’s got all the time in the world.
I can’t hear anything they say, but I’ll give Danny credit.
He doesn’t walk away from her, but I know he would never be rude to Kylie like that.
She gestures wildly with her hands, and I can practically hear her calling him out.
I’m sure she’s dragging our almost-kiss into the light, acting like it’s a big secret, and now she needs to know it’s true.
Danny just watches her patiently, like he’s waiting for the moment she’ll stop talking so he can have his turn.
I know that move. I used to love hearing what one-liner he would drop, even if I bitched and complained about it.
But then something happens. He doesn't appear cocky anymore. He looks almost defeated. His shoulders sag, and his hands drop to his sides. I obviously can’t hear him, but by the look on Kylie’s face, whatever he just said impressed her.
She doesn't react, and her body language also goes soft. Kylie always has something to say, but she also listens very well.
She nods, then turns and starts walking back toward the building. She looks calmer, maybe even a little thoughtful. Danny stays where he is, staring at the spot she just left. And I duck back from the window before Kylie can spot me.
My heart beats fast, and I want to ask questions, but then she’ll know I was spying on them. I have to wait; I know she’ll tell me. But in the meantime, thoughts come at me, fast and sharp.
What if he’s really not just trying to mess with me?
What if he’s actually just trying to get me to relax?
What if I want him to?
I shake my head, quickly collecting my clipboard and purse, pretending I wasn’t watching my sister and ex make plans about my life.