Page 84 of The Perils of Pretending
“When is the first day of school?”
This summer’s gone by so fast. I can’t believe it’ll be only a few weeks before the kids start again. I pull my head off her shoulder, looking into her beautiful bright brown eyes. “Three weeks.”
“Oh wow. That’s coming up fast. What’s your typical work schedule?”
“Monday through Friday seven to four.”
Sadie groans. “That’s early. What time do you wake up?”
“Six.”
“I really don’t think I could get out of bed that early.”
I chuckle. “Are you a night owl?”
“Yeah, but I don’t usually stay up too late. I’m in bed by eleven. I get my best work done the first half of the day so I try not to sleep in.”
She doesn’t go to sleep too much later than I do. “What time do you wake up?”
“Seven-thirty.”
It’s nice to know that if I can convince Sadie to give us a real shot, we’d have evenings and weekends free to spend time together. The forty minute commute between our houses isn’t ideal, but it’s worth it for Sadie. “What have been some of your favorite dates you’ve been on?” I need some ideas besides hockey and ice skating. I won’t be able to top everything we’ve done here in Alaska, but Sadie doesn’t seem like the kind of person who expects lavish things all the time.
“A picnic in the mountains, a bookstore-hop, and tickets to a play.”
Those are doable. “How do you feel about sports?”
Sadie shrugs. “They’re fine. They’re not my first choice, but if my date wanted to go to a game, I’d make the most of it. Why?”
“It helps me to know you better.”
Sadie pokes my chest. “What are your favorite kind of dates?”
I smile. “Sporting events, playing hockey, and anything outdoors.”
“I guess fake dating in Alaska is the perfect place for us since it’s one thing we have in common.”
I pull my lips into a frown. It is. But I’m trying to figure out how we can drop the fake part. With only one day left before we head home, I’m running out of time to ask Sadie out for real. I’m nervous she’ll say no and Brody won’t give his blessing, but I’m more terrified that if I don’t ask, she’ll slip through my fingers. My pulse pounds in my ears. This is it. I’m asking for this beautiful woman who loves to roll her eyes at me to give us a shot. “Sadie?”
“Max? Sadie? What are you guys doing out here?”
My chin drops to my chest. My heart shrinks, falling into the pit of my stomach. Leave it to Brody to have the worst possible timing—ever.
“Talking,” Sadie says.
Brody folds his arms across his chest. His brows rise. “And you have to do that while sitting on Max’s lap?”
If he only knew what we’d been up to the last few nights out here. “She was telling me about your dad. I pulled her onto my legs so I could comfort her.”
Brody’s eyes narrow. “Is something happening between you two?”
I’d say yes, but that’s only because it’s what I want. I need to ask Sadie first. It’s best if I keep my mouth shut. I look at Sadie, giving her a look that says it’s up to her to answer her brother.
Sadie’s lips look like they’re fighting off a smile.
Hope fills my chest. Is she going to tell Brody yes? That she feels the same way I feel about her?
Sadie opens her mouth to respond at the exact time Michelle opens the door to the cabin. “I knew I heard voices. What are you guys doing out so late?” Michelle shivers. “And in the cold?”
