Page 15 of Promise Me

“Do you like her?” Luca asks.

“Pretty sure even Dad’s dog can answer that one with a big fat no.”

“No, like, are you attracted to her?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

I turn to grab a cold water out of my fridge. Is Sadie pretty? Yes, she’s stunning. One of the most gorgeous women I’ve ever seen. I remember the summer when this realization first dawned on me. It was fleeting because, at about that same time, Linc started noticing that everyone noticed her. He made it very clear she was off limits, which was fine. Just because I thought she was pretty didn’t mean I wanted anything more.

I went for her best friend instead.

“Okay, well, how can we get you down there to make amends?” Miles taps his chin and leans back.

“You guys don’t have to hang out and help me. I can figure this one out.”

Luca shakes his head. “This is Sadie.”

“I know.”

“I don’t think you do. Look where just being the two of you has gotten you.”

I toss the lid to the water at his head, but he’s quick and catches it.

“That’s not my fault.”

“Or—hear me out—what if”— he jumps to stand—“you just make the effort of being kind for a few days. If she says something unkind, just let it go. Mrs. Whittaker is going to see you making that effort and pick you.”

It’s not a bad idea. Maybe she would feel bad for me and change her mind about us deciding instead of her.

“I could start by going down to buy a lemon bar and apologize.”

Luca snaps his finger and points at me. “I like this idea. Get a half dozen. I want one.”

“We will wait here,” Miles says.

I nod and chug my water, crinkling the bottle and tossing it into the trash. I do my best to jog down the steps, a poor attempt to hype myself up.

I swing the door to the bar open and ignore everyone who calls out my name.

If I’m doing this, I’m doing it now while my brain is agreeing to be nice to Sadie.

I’m out the front door and walking toward her bakery in seconds.

Then I notice her little sign out front is gone. That’s right. B’s Bakery closes at four.

Sometimes, she comes in after closing, which means there is a chance I could do this without an audience.

I peek inside the window. It's dark, but there is a sliver of light coming from the door that swings into the kitchen. I bet she’s back there.

How mad would she be if I walked around to the back and used the employee door?

Probably pretty pissed.

I turn to walk away when something occurs to me. I have a swinging door just like that at the bar, and it’s never propped open that way. Is her door broken?

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