Page 43 of The Perils of Pretending
I shrug. “Possibly. I won’t know until I get down there. I’ll keep you updated.”
Grandpa stands. “Let’s go fill up on gas and get you some snacks for the drive.”
I can do those things on my own, but they’re being so gracious and kind about me taking Grandma’s car, I don’t have the heart to tell them no. “Thanks, Grandpa.”
“No problem, son. Let’s get you ready to see your girl.”
Ruffles float around my stomach. Sadie isn’t really my girl, but I can’t deny I’m looking forward to spending time with her. And if I have tobring on the PDA to send Dorian and Alice a message, I’m fully prepared to act like the guys in romance movies.
One pretend lovesick fool coming right up.
Chapter 18
Max
Iparkinfrontof Grizzly Cove Lodge Sunday at exactly 12:25 in the afternoon. Taking my phone out of the cup holder, I text Brody, asking where they are. I want to surprise Sadie.
Brody
We’re inside the lodge on the second floor about to eat lunch. Come on up.
I get out of the car, stretching my arms above my head, twisting the kinks out of my back. I stopped for gas, but otherwise I’ve been sitting the last four hours, making my muscles tense and achy. I exhale, shaking out my jittery hands. My stomach is in knots and I’m not sure why. Dorian’s the one who should be nervous about my arrival.
I lock the car and head inside. Taking the staircase to the left behind the registration desk, I bound up to the second floor. I let out one last big breath and enter the dining room.
I didn’t expect there to be so many people. I have to scan each face at the long table until I finally spot Brody, Sadie, and some other guy. Sadie’s brows are pulled together in the middle and her shoulders are rigid. I’m assuming the doofus next to her, staring at her like she’s something to be conquered, is Dorian.
I do my best to stay hidden as I make my way to the front of the room where Sadie’s sitting. A few people glance at me with confused faces, but no one says anything. When I get to Sadie’s seat, I bend down, wrapping my arms around her shoulders and go out on a limb, I place a gentle kisson her temple. Her peach shampoo fills my nose. I’m not sure how I’ve missed the fragrance the last few days, but I have. “Hey, Princess.”
Sadie jumps.
I let go of her and take a step back.
Whipping her head around, she stares at me with wide eyes and an open mouth.
I grin at her, loving how surprised she is.
“Max!” She hops out of her chair, spins, and jumps on me.
I barely have time to get my arms around her and steady us so we don’t topple over. I laugh at her response. “Hi.”
We stand there hugging. I loosen my grip, but Sadie makes no move to get away from me. I relax into the embrace, my insides warming like a blanket fresh from the dryer.
I steal a glance at Dorian. His eyes narrow as he stares me down. I don’t break eye contact, letting him know I’m not afraid of him. I’m here for Sadie and, like it or not, it’s time for him to back off.
“Thank you for coming,” she whispers. She sucks in a breath. “Wait. What about your birthday? I didn’t even register until now that I’m hijacking it.”
I bend my head, my lips grazing Sadie’s ear. “Spending my birthday with my best friend and girl sounds like heaven.”
Sadie’s arms squeeze me tighter. “Thank you. So much.”
“Can’t. Breathe.”
She chuckles. “Sorry. You have no idea how happy I am that you’re here.”
“You clinging to me like a toddler being dropped off at daycare says plenty. Granted, I can’t say I blame you. I’d want to hug me all day every day, too.”
I’m waiting for Sadie to pull back and roll her eyes at me. She doesn’t.
