Chapter 46
SADIE
“Did you eat that entire Ben & Jerry’s carton already?” Vanessa asks with her hands on her hips.
I lick the spoon and then answer, “I did. And don’t give me that look. These containers are tiny.”
“Tiny but loaded with calories. Are you sure you want to pudge up now that your beau is moving across the country?”
I glower. “Bloody hell. Don’t remind me of that, okay? Why do you think I inhaled all that ice cream?”
She takes the empty carton from my hand and sets it on the coffee table. “Get up. We’re going for a ride.”
Like a petulant child, I cross my arms. “Why? I’m perfectly fine sitting here on your couch.”
“Because I’m already sick of you moping around.”
“I’ve only been here for two hours!”
“Long enough. Come on. You need to burn all those calories you consumed. Let’s go for a run.”
She’s right, I shouldn’t drown my sorrows in food. I’m beyond happy that Danny achieved his goal, but I’m also terribly sad that we’ll be apart in only a few months. I’ve been trying not to think about it or show it in front of him. I don’t want to put a damper on his excitement.
“Fine.”
Vanessa turns on the radio, and when “Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira comes up, she sings along too loudly for my ears.
“Oh God.” I pinch the bridge of my nose for a second. “You’re determined to annoy me today.”
After a few minutes on the road, it occurs to me to ask where we’re going.
“You’ll see.” She smirks.
“You’re acting super dodgy. What’s going on?”
“I’m not acting dodgy.”
I narrow my eyes. “Right.”
After another ten minutes, we arrive at the Rebels’ training field.
“Why are we here?” I look out the window and search for Danny’s car in the parking lot, but I don’t see it.
She shrugs. “I figured we could run on the boys’ turf for a change. Come on. I’ll race you to the Red Barn. The last one there buys dinner.”
The pest gets out of the car before I can protest her stupid bet. We’re well matched in speed, so what will determine the winner is whoever has a head start. I run to catch up because she doesn’t wait for me once she hits the grass. Bitch.
She speeds ahead, and as hard as I pump my legs, I can’t take over the lead. All that ice cream I ate is sitting heavily in my stomach, and it’s slowing me down. Bollocks. She laughs as she reaches the door of the Red Barn, then disappears inside.
A few seconds later, I follow her and stop.
Danny is standing in the middle of the room, wearing his best jeans and my favorite T-shirt, and holding a little box in his hand.
My heart leapfrogs to my throat, getting stuck there.
Suddenly, “A Picture of You” blasts from the speakers.
It’s the song that was playing when I gave him a ride to Ikea. That was when I began to fall for him.
I walk over, extremely aware of how fast my heart is beating now. My throat is tight, and I can’t believe I’m actually shaking.
“Danny, what is this?” I choke out.
“Sadie, you came into my life like a thunderstorm. Loud, fierce, and so damn beautiful. I couldn’t help being enthralled by you, even though I wasn’t looking for love.”
“Danny….”
My nose burns as tears slowly fill my eyes. I’m still not a crier, but I’m not made of stone either.
He drops to one knee and opens the box, revealing a beautiful diamond ring. “You’re the best thing that’s happened to my life, sugarplum. Please say you’ll marry me.”
Unable to speak, I simply nod.
“Is that a yes?” he asks.
“Of course it’s a yes. Now get off your knees and kiss me already.”
“Hold on. He needs to put the ring on first,” Vanessa pipes up from behind the bar.
I look over my shoulder. “How long have you known about this?”
“Nearly three years!” She laughs. “I called it, didn’t I?”
Danny takes my hand, and I forget Vanessa. He slides the ring on my finger and then finally pulls me into his arms to kiss me like he did the first time.
* * *
Thank you for reading Heart Starter !