An intense cold settled in my chest.
I had a feeling there was more to the story. A lot more.
“Sounds like a real asshole,” I said.
She huffed out a small, humorless laugh. “Yeah. You could say that.”
I wanted to ask more, but I also didn’t want to push.
Sadie was the kind of person who only gave what shewantedto give. If I was going to get anything more out of her, it had to be on her terms.
“So now you’re here,” I said, “trying to figure out if this place is for you.”
And getting mixed up with her bossesagain.
Although I wasn’t about to bring that up.
She nodded, running a hand through her hair. “Yeah.”
“And?”
She hesitated. “And… I don’t know. I like it here. I like you guys.” Her voice was softer now, more uncertain. “It’s just… I’ve never really had a place that felt like mine. I don’t know if Medford is it or if I’m just here because I don’t have anywhere else to go.”
I studied her for a long moment.
Then I smirked. “Well, if you’re having fun, that’s something, right?”
Her eyes flicked to mine, and this time, when she smiled, it actually reached her eyes.
“Yeah,” she admitted. “I guess it is. But, uh… what about you? I always feel like I’m dropping bombs on you.”
I grinned. “What, you think I’m a man of mystery?”
“I think you’re a man of avoidance.”
She wasn’t wrong. But for her, I was willing to try.
I tapped my fingers against the stainless steel. “Fine. Ask away.”
Sadie tilted her head, considering. “Past relationships. You ever had a serious one?”
The question caught me off guard. Not because I hadn’t thought about it, but because most people never bothered to ask.
I scratched the back of my neck. “Once. High-school sweetheart.”
Sadie’s eyebrows lifted. “Really?”
“What, that shocking?”
“A little,” she admitted. “You just seem like the type who never got tied down. Although I do remember you talking about the tattoo…”
I let out a dry laugh. “Well, turns out, she didn’t like being tied down either.”
Sadie’s face softened. “She cheated?”
“Yep. Right before I was planning to propose, too.”
Her lips parted slightly, like she was surprised. “Adam, I?—”