Page 64 of Meet Me on Blueberry Hill

Sadie pressed her back against the counter. “I worked for a marketing firm in Florida, just outside of Orlando. My boss hired a new guy who had a sharp mind. He could write copy in fifteen minutes—the same assignment that would take me most of the day to complete. He was funny and quick on his feet. Always knew the right thing to say. I won’t bore you with the details, but suffice it to say, I fell hard and fast for him. We dated for nearly a year. I really thought he was the one. Took him to meet my family. One night, he called and asked if he could come to my apartment before work. Said he had something he wanted to ask me.”

“I can only imagine what you must’ve been thinking.”

Sadie nodded, then gnawed on the edge of her lip. “Like a lovesick fool, I got up extra early and took time with my appearance. I gave myself a fresh manicure. But then he didn’t show.”

“He ghosted you?”

She nodded. “I was a few minutes late for work because I waited around so long for him. When I got there, I was called into my boss’s office. A woman I didn’t recognize was there, and if her eyes could beam lasers, I would’ve been dead on the spot.”

“Who was she?”

“My boyfriend’s wife.”

Asher reached for Sadie, but she took a step back. “Apparently, she found out about us. She confronted me in front of my boss. She screamed at me so loudly that everyone in the office heard. I have never been so humiliated in my entire life.”

“And you had no idea?”

Her head jerked up and she glared at him. “Of course I had no idea. If I had, I would’ve ended things immediately. I don’t date married men. I’m not the home-wrecker she claimed I was. I won’t be the ‘other woman’ for anyone.”

Asher had up his hands. “Sorry—that’s not what I meant.”

Sadie raked a hand through her hair. “Don’t worry about it. Doesn’t matter anyway. To make a long story short, I lost my job that day. With my dignity and reputation in shreds, I packed up my desk and left. Since then, I’ve been working remotely to cover the rent and basic living expenses. I would never wish anything happening to my parents, but Mom coming down with the flu turned out to be a blessing.”

“How so?”

“Gran needed someone to care for her after surgery, and I needed a change of scenery. Lily and Dani had been after me to visit the island, so the timing worked well.”

He wrapped his arms around her and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “This is not your fault.”

“I was too naive. Should’ve seen the signs. Social media is full of memes and reels that talk about cheating red flags. I scrolled past them because I didn’t think they pertained to me. What afool.” She lifted her face and looked at him. Her beautiful eyes filled with tears. One slipped down the curve of her cheek.

“I’m sorry, Sadie. I really am.” He brushed the wetness away with the pad of his thumb, relishing the softness of her skin. “You are not a fool.”

She gave him a shaky smile as she covered his hand with her own. “Thank you. I appreciate it. It’s just that—” Her eyes shimmered as she swallowed.

“What?”

“Sometimes it feels like no matter how hard I try, I keep ending up in the same place.” She shook her head. “I know that sounds like self-pity.”

“Not at all. Sounds more like you’re a little more aware about where you are in your life and where you want to go. But what do you mean by same place?”

She lifted a shoulder, then moved out of his embrace. She turned her back to him and pocketed her hands. Then her shoulders lifted and dropped. “Alone.”

The single word, spoken so softly he almost missed it, scored a direct hit to his chest.

He knew that feeling all too well.

Asher moved behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “You’re not alone. You have your parents, Gran, Dani, Lily. And me.”

She turned slowly and looked up at him. “You?”

He nodded but remained quiet.

She lowered her head once again and shook it. “No, I don’t. Not really.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Asher, I know very little about you. Every time I ask questions, you deflect. You ghosted me for the past two days. To be honest, it makes me wonder what you’re hiding.”

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