Page 50 of Promise Me

“I don’t say no all the time.”

It’s a pathetic response to defend myself, because I know they aren’t wrong. I don’t see the point in having hopes, dreams, or goals anymore. They can vanish in a heartbeat. Keeping to myself means I can’t be disappointed.

“Our opinions stand, but the point is,” Luca says, “you did something for someone else—for Sadie—something extra meaningful.”

I sigh, going back to my lunch.

When did these two get so sappy?

“It wasn’t a big deal.”

“It might not have been for you, but for her, it was. For us, it is.”

They both stand, tossing some cash onto the bar.

“We’ll talk later,” Miles says, and they leave.

I let their words play over in my mind while I eat.

I care about other people. I do.

I just have a different way of showing it.

I finish my lunch and head back upstairs. Music is playing when I open the door, and Sadie is in the kitchen.

She pauses, turning her focus from inside one of the cupboards to me.

She smiles, and I swear my heart skips at the sight of her greeting me when I get home.

“Hypothetically, if one wanted you to say yes to a question, what kind of baked goods would one need to provide in order for that to happen?”

I chuckle.

“What’s your question?”

She closes the cabinet and walks toward me.

I normally dread her approach, but today, I look forward to hearing what she says.

She sighs. “I really feel like my chances are better if I have treats.”

“Sadie, ask me whatever you want.”

“All right, let's sit, though.”

“Sit? Is it that bad?”

She grabs my hand, pulls me to the couch, and pushes me down to sit. I imagine her crawling over me and sitting on my lap with one leg on each side and pressing her body flush against me, but instead she sits next to me, and the moment is gone.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

“Can I stay here until … well, until I’m ready to go home?”

“Are we being transparent here?”

“Of course.”

“How long will that be?”

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