Page 30 of Here With Me

“Yeah. Grant was going to hang with Nate until Caroline was ready to head home.” David shrugged and set his wiggling niece down.

“What brings you to the square?” Leah stepped to the side as the little girl raced toward the slide.

David sat back down next to Sadie. “Donny’s.”

“Are you ready for all of us this weekend?” Caroline watched her daughter climb the ladder to the top of the slide.

“As ready as ever. There’s not much for me to do. You guys are bringing the sides. Meat’s bought, and the fire pit and fairy house have been finished for a few weeks.”

Caroline’s attention fell on Sadie. “We’re all having a cookout at David’s on Saturday. You should come. Bring your daughter.”

Spend time with David outside of work? With his family who clearly adored him? That would only give her more thoughts to attempt to outrun. Maybe she should take up running as a hobby.

Sadie stood up, brushing her hands down her jeans. “Thanks for the invite, but the store is open on Saturday. I’m going to get Lottie. She’s at the library.”

“We’re going that way, and we’ll get her for you. Why don’t you come out to David’s after you close Saturday? We’re meeting for dinner anyway. David built a fire pit, and we’re roasting hot dogs.”

“And s’mores!” The little girl ran up and climbed into David’s lap. He kicked off, swinging slowly.

“Please come,” Leah chimed in.

Sadie glanced at David. He’d know how uncomfortable this would be. His brows turned down slightly, and a brief flash of something, maybe hesitation, clouded his eyes. “Of course you should come.”

Did David’s voice sound flat? That right there was why she couldn’t go. “I appreciate that, but?—”

“Lottie would have a blast. Think on it. But seriously, David, don’t take no for an answer. Come on, Vangie, let’s hit the library before it closes. We’ll check on Lottie. You stay here and chat.” Caroline held out her hand to Vangie, who kissed David on the cheek and jumped off his lap.

Leah lifted her eyebrows at David as if sending him a message, but David just sent an annoyed look back. “I’m gonna go with them. Have fun, you two.”

Caroline and Leah walked away, swinging Vangie between them. Apparently, there was no escape from David.

Sadie sank back into the swing and David’s knee bumped hers. Her face heated as he studied her.

He was close enough that the lighter brown flecks in his eyes were discernible. How many times had she dreamed about those eyes over the years? Even with a few lines around the outside corners, the intensity of his gaze stole her breath.

“Sorry about them.” His deep voice was quiet. Soothing.

“Siblings, right?” Hers could be just as crazy. Demanding information and begging for secrets where none existed. Especially Romee. Okay, only Romee. She couldn’t remember the last time she had talked to Anna, didn’t even know where her sister was right now. Her job kept her moving around. And her brother? Well, Toby kept mostly to himself.

David’s lips tilted upward, drawing Sadie’s attention. Nope—not that.

Sadie stood, the gazebo an easy escape. There were no memories of David in a gazebo. His hand moved like he might take hold of hers, but he quickly dropped it before he made contact.

“Wait.” His quiet, deep voice sent a chill down her spine. “I’m sorry.”

“For?” Sadie sat back down and pushed her swing back gently.

“You were right. I don’t have any right to ask you about Jeremy. And I could have…” he seemed to be weighing his next words “handled Costa Rica differently. Better.”

“David, I don’t think?—”

“I know.” He held up his hand. “I’m not trying to get you back. You have your life, and I have mine. I just wanted you to know I am sorry for how it went down. And I want…to be friends again. After all, we do have to work together. It would be nice not to always be?—”

“On edge?”

“Exactly.”

Sadie nodded and pushed off again. “And I am also sorry. I could have handled Costa Rica better. And a friend would be nice. Lottie adores you.”

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