Page 105 of Stuck with my Boss Daddies

Sadie Collins.

I barely recognized her.

She walked toward us, flanked by Lila and Aurora, their respective broods in tow, looking like something straight out of a daydream.

The firelight from the festival lanterns caught in the waves of her hair, deep auburn, gleaming like polished mahogany.

Her dress, a soft, flowing number in a shade somewhere between cinnamon and burnt sugar, hugged her in all the rightplaces. Boots laced up her calves added just enough edge to the otherwise romantic look.

But it wasn’t just the clothes.

It was her.

There was a confidence to her stride, a tilt to her chin, a light in her eyes that hadn’t been there before. Like she’d stepped into herself fully, owning every inch of space she took up.

Kai, for once, had nothing smart to say.

Samuel, who could usually keep his cool in any situation, stared like he’d just been blindsided.

And me?

I forgot how to breathe.

Lila smirked, clearly enjoying the effect Sadie was having. “Well, would you look at that. The festival’s got itself a new main attraction.”

Aurora laughed, adjusting baby Evie on her hip. “Should we be worried? You three look like you’ve been struck dumb.”

Sadie arched a brow, a slow, knowing smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “What? Something wrong?”

It was a challenge. A tease. And damn if it didn’t make my blood hum.

I cleared my throat, forcing myself to snap out of it. “You just, uh, clean up nice, Collins.”

Kai finally found his voice, albeit a little rough. “Yeah. Didn’t realize this was a gala.”

Sadie’s grin widened. “Hey, if I can’t look nice for the Harvest and Hearth Festival, then when can I?”

Samuel rubbed a hand over his jaw, exhaling a laugh. “Yeah. Well. Mission accomplished.”

Her gaze flicked between us, and her expression softened. Like she saw exactly how wrecked we were and found it amusing.

Then she stepped forward, eyes locked on mine, and plucked a sandwich straight from my display.

“Hope you don’t mind,” she said, all saccharine innocence. “I’ve worked up an appetite.”

I could only watch as she took a bite.

Then she moaned.

Not a quiet, polite sound… oh, no. A full-on, sinful hum of appreciation.

And just like that, whatever semblance of composure I had left?

Gone.

The pumpkin-carving contest was a big deal in Medford. People took it seriously. Too seriously, if you asked me.

But when Sadie strolled in, grinning like she had this in the bag, I knew I had no choice but to win.

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