Chapter 30
SADIE
“Stetson has a girlfriend,” I announce to Annie as we sit at the kitchen bar, addressing envelopes for my mom’s Christmas cards. “Her name is Savannah, and she's a paralegal at his office.” I peek at my sister to get an idea of how she’s taking this information, but her expression is masked, telling me nothing, so I glance back down to the envelope I’m writing on. “They've been dating for two months.”
“Is that what he told you last night at the party?”
“Yeah—well, when I left with him.”
“What did you expect? He couldn't wait around forever.”
“I know. I just…” The thought stays unfinished because I don’t actually know what I want. I just know Stetson having a girlfriend limits possibilities.
“Maybe it’s for the best.” Annie shrugs. “You’re not single either.”
“No, I suppose I’m not.”
We write silently for a few seconds, focusing so we don’t make a mistake, and send the Bradley family Christmas card to some random person.
“This is for you.” Nash enters the room, handing Annie a crumpled-up piece of paper.
“What is it?”
He shrugs as if he doesn’t know, even though he obviously does. He takes a seat at the dining table and flips open a magazine.
Annie looks at me with lowered brows as she unfolds the paper.
I lean closer, reading the note over her shoulder with her.
Hey, I’d love to take out your sister. If you don’t think her husband would mind and you think I’m a decent guy, please tell her to go out with me.
I smile, remembering the note hanging above our bed in Chicago.
“This is how you guys met, isn't it?” Annie asks.
“It’s part of how we met.” His eyes go to mine. “I thought maybe we could go on a date.”
“A date?” My brows inch up.
“Yeah.” His smile has charm written all over it. “Just because we’re married doesn’t mean we stop dating each other, and in our current situation”—his lips pull to a grimace—“where you have no memories of me, I thought a date might be the perfect way to remind you why you fell in love with me in the first place.”
“Awww.”
I look at Annie and the goofy smile stretched across her mouth.
“What?” She stares back. “That’s adorable.”
It is adorable, but my mind automatically goes to Stetson.
My answer might be different if he didn’t have a girlfriend, but he does, making my life with Nash my only option. I should at least try to make it work.
“Okay, I’ll go on a date with you.”
“Perfect.” He leans back into his chair, a happy smile lighting his face. “I'll pick you up tonight. Wear something nice. This is a serious date.”
“You’re one to talk, flannel boy,” Annie sneers.
Nash’s eyes whip to her. “Hey, I don’t appreciate that joke.”
But he laughs easily anyway.
There’s a knock on the barn door that connects Nash’s room to our shared bathroom.
I roll the door open. “I’m just about done in here.”
His eyes slowly travel down my body and the black body suit of Annie’s she convinced me to wear. The top is like a bralette, and the middle is sheer, giving a glimpse of my torso. Then she let me borrow a chunky tan cardigan and black wide-leg pants. She said it was the perfect combination of sexy and classy.
Judging by Nash’s expression, it’s leaning a little too hard on the sexy side.
He drags his wide eyes back up to my face, not bothering to do anything about his slacked jaw.
“It’s Annie’s.” I panic. “Is it too much?”
“It’s the perfect amount of much.” His lips turn into a flirtatious smile. “Trust me.”
The first flutters of butterflies bounce around my stomach, catching me off guard, but was that because of him or because it was nice to feel wanted?
“Um…” I glance down, quickly gathering my stuff off the counter. “I’ll get out of here so you can get ready.”
Like a whirlwind kicking up dust everywhere, I pile everything into my arms and spin out of the bathroom, pulling the barn door on my side of the room shut with my big toe. The force is too much, causing the whole thing to bang shut and roll back open five inches.
I drop my stuff on the makeup vanity in my bedroom and take a seat. My eyes catch the outline of Nash behind me. From where I sit, I have the perfect view through the mirror of him in the bathroom. That five-inch opening—thanks to the barn door—provides a lot.
He holds one of those cordless electric shavers. Leaning closer to the mirror, he turns his cheek like he’s about to shave but stops and slides off his shorts so he’s only in his briefs. Then he goes for his shirt.
His arms get caught in the sleeves, making the entire action take longer than it needs to , and making his muscles ripple as he fights to free himself from the fabric. Once over his head, he tosses the shirt on the floor in his room.
Now, he’s only in his underwear, slung low on his hips. His body pitches forward as he begins to shave. It’s all very appealing. And another piece to why I married this man falls into place.
Well done, Sadie.
I congratulate myself on choosing a husband that’s physically so attractive it hurts my eyes.
I mean, I literally have to look away to make the pain stop.
But now I can’t concentrate on putting my makeup on. I reach for my phone, shooting a text to the one and only Edward Cullen.
Sadie
Nash is shaving in the bathroom…in only his underwear. And because I accidentally left the barn door slightly ajar, I can see him through the mirror.
Edward Cullen
Oooh, fun! Talk about a great start to your date.
Sadie
Is it fun? Maybe I should go shut the door. Tonight feels like a first date, and as far as I can remember, I don’t typically watch my first dates get ready in their underwear.
Actually, now that I think about it, the only first date I’ve ever been on was when I was fifteen and went to homecoming with Stetson. That’s kind of sad.
Edward Cullen
He’s your husband. I say pay your thanks to Jack and Jill for their lovely bathroom design and watch the man undress.
My eyes skitter back to him.
Sadie
He does look really good.
Edward Cullen
Talking about how good another woman’s husband looks gives me the ick, but I’m really happy you’re figuring out you’re attracted to the man you married. That’s a big step for you.
Nash turns his head, catching my eyes on him. His mouth hitches upward. “I can open the door wider if you want.”
I press my lips together so hard. There’s no way I’m letting this man see my smile. I stand, walking directly to the bathroom. And let me tell you, the closer I get, the better he looks.
“I’ll give you some privacy,” I say as I pull the door shut.
The way his cocky smile drags across his mouth is, unfortunately, the last thing I see.