Page 54 of Branded

Sawyer: Sounds like a blast.

Me: I’m sorry I had to leave so early.

Sawyer: Don’t you dare apologize. You have obligations. I’m a big girl. Besides, it gives me plenty of time to get all pretty.

Me: You woke up pretty.

Sawyer: You didn’t see my pillow marks and bed head.

I smile at the image that instantly pops in my head of what Sawyer will look like when she’s sleep rumpled and thoroughly fucked.

Me: I have no doubt it’s an image I want to see one day.

“Let’s toast, gentlemen,” Caleb calls out from the other side of the room we have taken over to get ready in.

I glance back down at my phone to see the blinking dots that tell me she is typing a reply, but I lock the screen and slide the phone back into my pocket to join everyone as we toast a happy marriage to our friend.

Sawyer

I stare at myself in the mirror and take a deep breath while I make sure I’m happy with how I look. I chose a long emerald green dress with cami straps, a plunging neckline, an open back with crossing straps, and a sheer lace overlay. I feel sexy in it. I feel powerful in it.

I’ve paired it with simple nude pumps and minimal jewelry; just a single, small diamond that hangs deep in the plunging neckline.

Add in my beach-waved hair and smoky makeup, and I’m wedding ready.

I wanted to feel sexy today, especially after last night... especially after hearing Isaac tell me he is falling for me. He thought I was sleeping and just... blurted it out. I can’t believe I didn’t react, but I didn’t want him to know I heard. I don’t know why. I just wanted to process that information on my own first because... I feel the same way.

It doesn’t make any sense. I shouldn’t feel this strongly this quickly about someone, but here it is, loud and in full HD. I’m falling for him and he’s falling for me.

I sit on the edge of the bed with my phone in my hand and stare down at the last text message I sent him that has gone unread.

Me: Last night was amazing, btw. Not a single regret. I just want to make sure you know that.

And it’s true. Last night was probably one of the most erotic moments of my life and we didn’t even have sex. I didn’t think it was possible, but then again, so many things I never expected are happening at the hands of Isaac Black.

My life has taken me on a journey that I wish I could circle back and try again. There are things I simply want to experience again, things I would change, and things I would never change.

I want my brother back, and the hardest thing I’ve done in my life is accept the fact he’s gone. There are even days I still have a hard time with that fact, but ever since Isaac came into my life, it’s been a little easier every day. He makes me happy with the here and now instead of living in what could have been.

My phone vibrates in my hand and I look down, expecting a reply from him, but instead it’s an incoming video call from my mother.

I hold the phone up in front of my face and press accept, her face then fills my screen.

“Whoa, look at you. Where are you heading off to?” she asks me.

“I’m in Napa for a wedding. I told you that before I left.”

“Oh, yes that’s right. With a man.” She smiles wide. “I’m just glad you’ll be with someone tomorrow. I hate when you deal with it alone.”

I had tried to forget tomorrow is Jason’s birthday, what would have been his twenty-second. I had successfully done that until this very moment.

“I’m trying not to think about it, Mom.”

“Why? We need to still celebrate him, Sawyer,” she scolds me.

“You’re torturing yourself. He wouldn’t want that for any of us. Remembering him is fine, but making a whole day and spending it in tears isn’t good for any of us. That’s not how we are supposed to move forward.”

“I didn’t call to argue.”

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