Chapter 18
Sadie
S adie had overthought every single piece of clothing she’d pulled from her closet and subsequently tossed onto the floor. Nothing was right. And she had to find something right for the occasion. Not only was the Mackenzie’s twentieth wedding anniversary party set to be the biggest event of the summer, but it would also serve as the next time Sadie saw Ellie after their kiss.
Ellie kissed me.
She could nearly float on those three words alone.
Granted, it wasn’t a kiss kiss. Not the one Sadie had thought was going to happen. But there was something so sweet about the simple kiss on the cheek that Sadie couldn’t get over. When she closed her eyes, she could still feel the way Ellie’s lips felt quickly pressed against her skin.
They had been texting back and forth constantly since then, and Sadie was giddy with excitement over seeing her again. It didn’t matter that they would literally be surrounded by Ellie’s entire family and half of the Cove. All that mattered was she was going to get to see Ellie.
If she could find something to wear.
Normally Sadie would have never overthought what to wear to an event, especially one that six months ago she would have tried to get out of. But now, things were different. She wanted to look good for Ellie. Well, not for Ellie.
Okay, well, yes. She was overthinking everything because of Ellie.
“Sadie,” her mother called up the stairs, “are you ready?”
“No.”
“Why?” Delaney’s voice was slightly closer, indicating she was walking up the stairs. Sadie looked around at the pile of clothes scattered around the floor as her mother came into her room. “Oh, I see you’ve decided now is the time to clean out your closet. I’ve only been asking you to do that since we moved.”
“I have nothing to wear.”
“The giant pile of clothes on the floor indicates otherwise.”
Sadie was so not in the mood for her mother’s teasing. She watched as Delaney walked over to the closet, looked through the handful of items that hadn’t ended up on the floor yet, and plucked a light blue dress from the rod. Delaney held it up in front of her.
“Wear this. It goes great with your eyes and your hair.”
There was no time to protest. The dress would have to work. Sadie paired it with flip-flops, hoping Charlie wouldn’t lecture her on why she shouldn’t wear flip-flops for the thousandth time, and followed her mother to the car.
When they arrived at the party, Sadie stood by the car as she straightened her dress and checked her hair in the reflection on the car’s window. She could feel her mother and Charlie watching her, but she didn’t care. Well, she did, but she didn’t have time to care. Sadie had to make sure everything was perfect before she saw Ellie.
Delaney narrowed her eyes at Sadie. “Why are you so freaked out about how you look?”
“I’m not freaked out.” Her high-pitched voice indicated otherwise. “I just want to look nice. That’s all.”
“She’s gotta look nice for Ellie ,” Charlie’s singsong voice reluctantly pulled a smile from Sadie. There was no keeping the kiss a secret from them, but thankfully they’d kept their teasing and commenting to a relative minimum since then. Sadie could feel her cheeks redden. “Ah, see. She’s smiling.”
“She’s gonna see Ellie ,” Delaney chimed in, earning an eye roll from Sadie.
“I’m gonna need you two to stay fifty feet away from me all night, mmmk?”
“She thinks we won’t embarrass her from fifty feet away,” Delaney smiled and waved her off.
Still smiling, Sadie started walking toward the Mackenzie’s backyard. It was elegantly decorated with a large banner congratulating Isla and Vera on their anniversary. An archway sat under the trees on one side of the yard, and Sadie knew exactly what that was for. Not only were they giving Isla and Vera the chance to renew their vows, but Mason and Chase had also decided to use the occasion to have their own surprise wedding.
Sadie thought the gesture was beyond sweet. She loved how much the Mackenzies loved each other and longed yet again to be a part of a family like that one day. However, realistically, she knew that would never happen. Her mom and Charlie didn’t want more kids, and even if they did, by the time they came around, Sadie would be old enough to be their mother.
“Hey,” Ellie seemed to appear out of nowhere as Sadie stood behind Delaney and Charlie at the guestbook table. “You look pretty.”
“Thanks,” Sadie blushed again, “so do you.”
But the truth was, Ellie looked stunning. The Mackenzie women could rock a suit, there was no doubt about it. Ellie seemed to be wearing the same one from prom, and it still looked as amazing on her as it did that night. She had her hair braided to one side, with a white flower pinned behind her ear.
“El,” Mason called from across the yard, motioning for her, “we need you.”
“I can’t walk away for a minute without Mason thinking of something else she needs me to do.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Save a dance for me,” Ellie said with a wink. “That’ll be enough.”
Sadie watched as Ellie sauntered across the yard toward Mason. Of course, she was so caught up in watching Ellie that she didn’t notice both Delaney and Charlie staring at her with bemused looks on both of their faces.
“Not a word.”
As the night went on, Sadie kept catching glimpses of Ellie across the party. Her heart fluttered each time she caught Ellie’s eyes and she smiled. That damn smile. Sadie didn’t know how it was so perfect.
After the vow renewal, Mason and Chase surprised nearly everyone by announcing they were getting married right then. Sadie didn’t know who all knew, but judging by the reactions, it wasn’t many people. The ceremony was sweet, and Sadie didn’t try to stop her eyes from finding Ellie’s multiple times during the vows.
When the DJ announced the dance floor was open, Sadie watched as her mom and Charlie headed for the dance floor along with most of the other couples at the party. Sadie looked around for Ellie but didn’t see her anywhere. So, instead, she watched Alexis and Blake slowly dance beside Sophia and Emily as Harper went back and forth between them. Mason and Chase looked so lost in each other’s gaze that Sadie felt she was intruding on an intimate moment by watching.
A tap on her shoulder pulled Sadie from her thoughts. She quickly turned around to find Ellie standing there with her hand held out to her.
“May I have this dance?”
“Of course.”
Taking Ellie’s hand, Sadie followed her over to the dance floor. They nervously laughed as they faced each other, and Ellie carefully put her hands on Sadie’s lower back. Taylor Swift’s “Lover ” began playing, and Sadie knew the moment couldn’t have been more perfect if she’d planned it.
“I’ve never done this before.”
“Me either,” Sadie smiled as she bit her lip. Putting her arms around Ellie’s neck, the two simply swayed back and forth to the song in their own little corner of the dance floor. Sadie felt beyond comfortable in Ellie’s arms—so much so that she said, “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that kiss.”
“Same,” Ellie giggled. “I’m glad it finally happened.”
“Finally, huh?”
“I’d been wanting to for a while, but I didn’t know if you felt the same.”
“I did.”
“I’m glad I know that now.” Ellie lowered her eyes as her smile spread wider. “I just wish it had been a little different.”
“Different, how?” Sadie had no clue who the flirtatious woman who had taken over her body was, but she was going to roll with it.
Ellie looked around, suddenly seeming nervous that they were in a crowd. Taking Sadie’s hand, she said, “Follow me.”
And Sadie did. She would have followed her anywhere. Ellie led her behind the garage, away from the rest of the crowd, but they could still hear the music. They looked into each other’s eyes as Sadie tried to figure out what Ellie was thinking. Was she going to kiss her again? Was she waiting for Sadie to make the first move this time?
Sadie had no clue, so she decided to take matters into her own hands. She needed to kiss Ellie; she needed to know what it felt like. Taking a step toward Ellie, they bumped heads, as Ellie had done the same thing.
“Ow.”
“Sorry.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, you?”
“I’m okay,” Sadie nervously giggled. “Okay so, I’ve never done this either.”
Ellie cocked her head at her. “You’ve never kissed a girl?”
“I’ve never kissed,” Sadie sucked in a deep breath and held it, “someone I wanted to kiss.”
She watched as Ellie licked her lower lip, a grin slowly forming. “Well, then lucky for you, I feel the same way. And I can show you what I’ve learned about kissing someone from acting class if you want.”
“I do.”
In fact, Sadie was sure she’d never wanted anything more.
Ellie tenderly put one hand behind her neck and the other around her waist. She pulled Sadie close to her, so close their chests touched. Sadie watched as Ellie tilted her head just right and leaned in for a kiss. As their lips met, Sadie closed her eyes. She savored the feel of Ellie’s lips on hers, enjoying the way she could taste the coffee she’d obviously had at the party still lingering on her lips.
Unsure of what to do with her hands, Sadie ran them up Ellie’s back before pulling her slightly closer. She nearly lost her balance, and subsequently Ellie’s, in the grass. As Sadie’s back was near the garage, she was pleasantly surprised when Ellie gently pushed her back into it for stability.
“You okay?” Ellie asked softly. Sadie could only nod as she leaned back in for more kissing.
Kissing Ellie was amazing. Sadie was fairly certain she’d give up anything to never have to stop kissing her. She tried to memorize everything: the way Ellie made a trail of kisses from her lips to her ear and back again, the way Ellie’s hand felt so warm on her lower back, and the way Ellie’s tongue felt in her mouth.
Yes, Sadie could have stayed there forever.
Had it not been for Mason suddenly calling Ellie’s name.
The two parted quickly, as Sadie had to fight her instinct to run. They stared at Mason as if they were kids who’d just been caught by their parents doing something they shouldn’t have been doing. But, thankfully, Mason seemed more amused to have found them lip-locked than ready to scold them for it.
“Well, well, well,” Mason folded her arms over her chest as she walked toward them. “I must say, I’m kinda proud this happened at my wedding.”
“Oh, geez,” Ellie groaned, putting a hand on her hip. “What are you doing? Spying on us again?”
“Hey, be glad it was me that found you two. Mom’s looking for you.” She arched an eyebrow at them and smirked. “But I saw you two sneak away, so I offered to come and find you.”
“You found her?” Blake asked as she rounded the corner of the garage. It seemed to take her a moment after seeing Ellie and Sadie to process what they’d stumbled upon. “Oh, my god,” she dramatically covered her eyes with her hand. “I’m so sorry.”
“I’m not,” Mason laughed.
“Okay, leave. Both of you.” Ellie motioned for them to leave, which Blake started to do before Mason pulled her back. “At least give me a minute alone to tell her goodnight.”
Sadie couldn’t help but grin at Ellie’s words.
“Fine. Fine.” Mason held up her hands. She looked past Ellie to Sadie. “If she’s a good kisser, you can thank me for teaching her how to do it. If not, you can blame Blake.”
“Hey!” Blake playfully punched Mason. “Alexis thinks I kiss great, thank you.”
“I bet Chase would say I’m a better kisser.”
“I’m not arguing with you about this here.”
“Great, you can argue about it back at the party.” Ellie looked back at Sadie and mouthed an I’m so sorry as she led Blake and Mason around the corner of the garage. They were gone for a few moments, and Sadie worried that Ellie had left too. But just as she was about to follow them, Ellie came back around the corner.
“I’m so sorry about that.”
“It’s okay,” Sadie waved her off. “Better them than our moms.”
Ellie chuckled. “True that.”
“And, for what it’s worth,” Sadie said, taking a step toward Ellie and leaning in again for a kiss, “you’re a great kisser.”