Chapter Fifteen
Sadie
The town hall is glowing with soft, romantic lights twinkling red and pink decorations draped from every rafter. Music drifts through the air, a slow, easy melody that has couples swaying together on the dance floor. Laughter and chatter fill the space, warmth and love all around me.
And yet, I’ve never felt more alone.
I tug at the hem of the dress Annie lent me, resisting the urge to yank it down farther. It’s shorter than anything I’d normally wear, a flirty little red number that barely skims mid-thigh, and every time I move, I swear I feel a breeze. Annie called it perfect. I call it a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen.
Still, I agreed to come. One last night in Pine Hollow before I move on. I tell myself I’m not waiting for him. That I’m just here because I promised Annie. Because I needed one last night to say goodbye. Because it’s better than sitting alone in the cabin, staring at my half-packed bags, trying not to break down.
But deep down, I know the truth. I am waiting for him. Even though it’s been days and I haven’t seen him. Even though he hasn’t come after me, he hasn’t tried to change my mind. Even though I know better than to hope. Hope is what got me into this mess.
I wrap my arms around myself, shifting my weight from foot to foot as couples dance around me, their laughter and soft kisses a painful contrast to the ache in my chest. The town hall is beautiful tonight—strings of twinkle lights casting everything in a warm glow, paper hearts hanging from the ceiling, the scent of cinnamon and chocolate filling the air.
I should be enjoying it. I should be soaking in this moment, making memories before I leave Pine Hollow behind. But all I can think about is him. Does he even care that I’m leaving? Did I ever mean anything to him at all?
“Sadie, you look miserable.”
I startle as Annie appears beside me, handing me a pink fizzy drink. I force a smile, but it wobbles. “I’m fine.”
She snorts. “Liar.”
I let out a breath, staring at the condensation on my glass. “I guess I just thought…” I shake my head. “Never mind.”
Annie tilts her head, her expression soft. “You thought he’d come.”
I squeeze my eyes shut for a second before forcing them open. “It doesn’t matter. I leave tomorrow.”
“You don’t have to.”
I swallow hard. “I do.” Because staying here, waiting for something that will never happen, will only break me more.
Annie sighs but doesn’t argue. “For what it’s worth, I think he’s a fool.”
I let out a short, humorless laugh. “Yeah. Me too.” But it doesn’t change anything. I take a sip of my drink, focusing on the way the bubbles fizz on my tongue, trying not to let the tears win.
And then the doors burst open.
A gust of cold air rushes in, making the candles flicker. The room falls quiet for half a second before murmurs ripple through the crowd.
I can’t breathe. Because there he is. Reid Calloway. Messy, rugged, beautiful.
His hair is windblown. His jaw is tight, and his suit and tie are something I’ve never seen him in before. His blue eyes scan the room, searching.
For me.
The glass nearly slips from my fingers. My heart slams into my ribs. I can’t move. Can’t think. All I can do is watch as he stalks across the dance floor straight toward me.
Every step is purposeful and determined. He’s a man on a mission, and my knees nearly buckle beneath me. He stops inches away, chest rising and falling with deep, uneven breaths. His eyes burn into mine.
“Sadie.” His voice is rough, raw, like it’s been clawing its way out of him for days.
I swallow hard. “What are you doing here?”
His jaw flexes. “You’re leaving tomorrow.”
I lift my chin. “Yeah. I am.”
His throat bobs. “I can’t let you go.”
My stomach flips, but I shake my head. “You don’t get to decide that, Reid. You made it very clear where we stand.”
He curses under his breath, raking a hand through his hair. “I was wrong.”
I press my lips together, my heart pounding. “About what?”
His gaze locks onto mine, fierce and unwavering. “About everything.”
The room feels like it’s spinning.
“I thought if I kept my distance, if I pushed you away, it wouldn’t hurt when you left.” He exhales sharply. “But it hurts anyway. And I was an idiot to think I could ever let you go.”
My breath catches.
“I love you, Sadie.” His voice is raw, desperate. “I love your laugh, and your kindness, and the way you hum when you cook. I love that you saw something in me worth sticking around for, even when I didn’t deserve it.” He swallows. “I love you.”
He takes a step closer, his fingers brushing over mine. “Stay. Stay and be my wife for real.”
Tears burn in my eyes. “You mean it?”
His hands cup my face, his thumbs stroking my cheeks. “With everything I have.”
A shaky breath escapes me. The last of my walls crumble because this is what I’ve wanted—him. Always him.
I grab his collar, yanking him down, and crash my lips to his.
The world disappears. The music, the people, the room—it all fades away as Reid kisses me like a drowning man finally coming up for air.
His arms wrap around me, crushing me against him like he’s afraid I’ll disappear. His lips are urgent, desperate, like he’s making up for every second we wasted. And I let him. Because I never want to waste another second again.
The room erupts into cheers, but I barely hear them. All I can hear is the wild pounding of my heart. All I can feel is him.