Page 39 of I'm Yours

“I’m sure she’ll do great.”

It’s so awkward. We could be saying you say goodbye first, no you, no you… we’re just staring at each other, not wanting to leave and making conversation.

“Okay, I’m going to get going. Or do I stay and watch? I don’t know the protocol, clearly since she showed up with hair that looked like it did.”

Sadie’s smile is wide and I almost press a hand to my chest at how it makes my heart swell. “We don’t want you in the room because it distracts the students. You can stay here and sit in the waiting area if you want. I’m sure they’d love it.” She points behind me and I turn to see the moms watching us. “Or you can run errands. You’d probably be safer that way,” she grumbles.

“Sadie Jones. Do I detect a hint of jealousy in that tone of yours?” I tease, wanting to pull her close to me.

She rolls her eyes but doesn’t respond. Jealousy it is. I’m man enough to admit, to myself, of course, that I’d be jealous as hell if I see her with another guy.

“I’ll probably run a quick errand then be back.”

“Whatever you’d like to do.”

I step in front of her and lean over. “Whatever?” I ask.

Her breath comes out heavy and she hums. “Mm hmm.”

“Good to know.” I walk away before I make an ass out of myself and do something I have no right to do. Like kiss her. Damn, I really want to kiss her. I’m such a piece of shit for thinking of another woman already. Maybe if I continue to remind myself of that I’ll stop thinking these crazy thoughts. The craziest part, though, is that while I feel guilty, I’m not all that surprised. Sadie Jones isn’t just some woman I met and fell for in the blink of an eye. We have history. She was my first love. The one who got away.

I tell Emmy goodbye and ignore the women’s eyes on me, only giving them a sparing glance and nod of acknowledgement before I head out the door and hop in my pickup. I don’t have any errands to run but I needed fresh air. The collective minutes that I’ve been in Sadie’s presence are small, but every single time I’m around her makes me crave for more.

I drive to the grocery store and pull in, figuring that there’s surely something that we need. After texting my mom, she asks me to pick up a loaf of bread and some apples so I walk inside the small store to grab the items. Just before I check out, I notice some bouquets of flowers and make a quick decision to purchase one. Isn’t that what parents do for their kids after they’ve gone to dance? I’m sure I’ve seen that somewhere.

I stop at the coffee shop for a cup of coffee before heading back to the studio and notice there’s still thirty minutes left of class. Damn small towns. Everything is too close and rarely busy which normally would make me happy but right now? Not so much.

Unfortunately, the only available seat is one smack dab in the middle of all the women who are currently staring at me holding a cellophane cone of flowers. I lean against the wall and pull my phone out, trying to look busy so I won’t have to answer the questions that I know are on the tip of everyone’s tongues. I hear whispering about tattoos and then a couple giggles and I do my best not to roll my eyes.

I’m not an idiot. I know what I look like to women and coming back to the town I grew up in, I figured a lot of people would be talking about me. But, I feel like I’m sitting in a fish bowl and it makes my skin crawl. Feeling everyone’s eyes on me, I look up from my phone and glance around. A few of the bolder women don’t look away while others quickly avert their eyes.

My phone chimes with a text and I swipe over to my messages, smiling when I see who’s texting me. I tuck the flowers under my arm so I can use both hands to text because I’m not that talented.

Justin:I’ve decided to no longer support your decision to move to Lakeside.

I breathe out a laugh and reply.

Me:Oh, yeah?

Justin:It’s a logical reason. I promise.

Me:Oh, this outta be good.

Justin:It is. See, there’s a new love triangle here and I’m not equipped to deal with the drama. Apparently I’m being insensitive. **eye roll emoji

Me:What the hell is a love triangle?

Justin:Use your brain. It’s when three people are involved.

Me:Isn’t that like a threesome?

Justin:This is when two people are fighting over one. So not as much fun as a threesome, obviously.

Grinning at my phone, I continue typing and ignore the fact that I can feel eyes on me.

Me:Obviously.

Justin:I respectfully request you return to deal with this shit. I’m about to lose my mind.

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