Page 15 of The Perils of Pretending
Sadie lifts the armrest between us. Using me as her personal pillow, she adjusts my arm until she can keep her nose pressed into the sleeve of my tee, and still see her e-reader she’s holding in her left hand.
I’m not uncomfortable per se, but it’s been almost a year since I’ve dated anyone serious enough for someone to sit and touch me like this. I don’t mind helping Sadie. I really don’t. This closeness is just…different.
I’m sure by the end of the flight I’ll be used to it, and once Cowboy gets away from us, we can return to our normal status of joking around.
Because I can’t focus on the tingles coursing through my body everywhere Sadie touches me. She’s my best friend’s little sister, and while she’s gorgeous, she’s too uptight for me.
And I won’t do anything to jeopardize my friendship with Brody. He’s like a brother to me and the only person I consider family that I live close to. My body’s just freaking out because someone touching me like this is new. It absolutely has nothing to do with Sadie.
Nothing.
Chapter 6
Max
Iexitthebathroom,heading toward the row of seats where we’ll be waiting for our next flight to Anchorage. Brody and his mom are grabbing us food. Sadie’s talking to some older woman dressed in an ivory pantsuit, wearing pearl earrings, and clutching a leather purse. Her gray hair is pulled back in some fancy twist. She’s way too formal for a flight. Maybe she has a business meeting as soon as she gets to Anchorage?
The closer I get, the slower I walk. Sadie’s face is red, her fists clenched at her side.
Wait a minute. Is this woman bothering her?
I hover in hearing range, behind Sadie so she can’t see me. Before I interrupt, I want to know what’s going on.
“Spandex and a faded T-shirt, Sadie?” The old lady says, disgusted with Sadie’s outfit.
Sadie looks perfectly presentable to me. Her black bike shorts accentuate her long legs and the oversized tee with Sunshine & Summertime in bubble letters looks exactly like what I see other women wearing. I’m in gym clothes myself. What’s wrong with being comfortable when flying?
“You won’t greet Dorian like this. You’ll have to change before I introduce you to him. Every day, I wish your father had stayed in Alaska and joined the family business. If he had, he’d still be here and you would know how to dress properly.”
Sadie’s nostrils flare. “I told you not to invite him. I’m perfectly capable of finding a husband on my own, Grandma.”
Whoa. This is Brody and Sadie’s grandma? Brody didn’t tell me she was flying up to Anchorage with us. Man, Brody’s right. She is uptight and controlling.
She frowns as she scans Sadie’s body up and down. “Wearing skintight clothes leaves nothing to the imagination. Dorian is a respectable man from a good family. I want you to treat him the way he deserves.”
Who is this Dorian guy and what about Dorian treating Sadie with respect? How about her grandma doing the same? My stomach hardens watching the way Sadie is being talked to by someone who’s supposed to love and care about her.
“I don’t need a lecture about what I wear and how to treat other people,” Sadie says, her back ramrod straight.
Sadie’s grandma leans closer to Sadie, her voice low. I have to strain to hear what she says. “You are an Ashcombe and need to act like it.”
I look around, searching the faces of nearby passengers. Is Brody or Michelle nearby? They need to save her from this crazy woman.
Sadie closes her eyes and slightly shakes her head. She opens her mouth to respond, but her grandma cuts her off.
“Don’t disappoint me, Sadie. Your father did enough of that as it is.”
My mouth pops open. Wow. This woman is a piece of work. How can she say that about her own child? Before I can think through what I’m doing, my instincts take over. I come up behind Sadie, putting my hands on her shoulder. “Hey, princess. Thanks for watching our bags. Do you want to hit the restroom before we board?”
Sadie’s shoulders tense under my palms. Stiffly, she turns around. Her forehead is as wrinkly as her grandma’s. “Heeeeyyyy, you.” Her eyes bore into mine silently asking what the heck I’m doing.
I smile at her, letting her know I’m fine with rescuing her and keeping up our pretense from the previous flight.Play along, princess.
“Who’s this?” Sadie’s grandma demands.
“I’m her boyfriend,” I say like I’m a proud significant other. “Who are you?”
Sadie looks like a gaping fish.
