Page 24 of Mr. Merry Ex-Mas
I shake my head. “I can’t get involved with him right now. I need to finish the gala; it’s three days away. There’s too much to do still, and I can’t get derailed by Danny.”
“Sounds like what you need is to getrailedby Danny.”
“Stop it. I’m stressed out. There's a lot of work. Then there's your baby shower and the actual baby. I can’t throw in Danny and try to figure that out, too.”
She watches me intently before saying, “Take the leap, baby sister.”
“None of this means anything.”
She narrows her eyes. “Then why do you look like someone just shredded your planner?”
I don’t answer because I can’t. Last night wasn’t sex. It wasn’t nostalgia. It wasn’t even us returning to what we were. I saw it for something different last night.
Kylie steps closer, softer now. “Sadie. Do you want him back?”
I meet her eyes. “I don’t know.”
“Do youmisshim?”
I breathe in through my nose, hold it, then exhale. “Every day.”
She nods. “Then maybe stop running from that just because it scares the hell out of you. He’s scared, too. You guys just need to be there for each other. Talk it out, let him in.”
Easier said than done. How do I tell him that, in my world, order feels safe? That love should feel steady and secure. That I’ve always believed if things are in place, if everything makes sense, then I can breathe because I know what to expect. Ithought love had to look like that, too. But with Danny? I never know what’s coming.
16
DANNY
Ilean on the counter in Matt’s garage, nursing a lukewarm Gatorade and trying not to look like a guy completely unraveling over one night with his ex.
Matt glances up from under the hood of his ‘83 Porsche, wiping his hands on a rag. He raises an eyebrow. “You’re doing that thing again.”
“What thing?”
“The stare into space and try not to look like you're in love with your ex thing.”
I snort. “I’m just tired.” I finish the Gatorade and throw it in the garbage, taking in the car in front of me. When Matt’s uncle died, he left it to his dad. But knowing how much Matt really loved that car, Kylie got it running and cleaned up to surprise him during the National Wine Day Event. It was a flashback in time, seeing him driving it again. “This car is looking better and better every day.”
“Mm. Runs like a beast, too.” He slams the hood shut and gives me a look. “Anyway, you don’t get that face from being tired.”
“It is when you teach fourth grade and have your best friend's kid in the class.”
He scoffs. “Liam probably runs that class better than you do.”
I chuckle and cross my arms across my chest. “He’s nine going on nineteen. You should be afraid.”
“That’s why I have Kylie. She’ll handle it.” He grins. “But back to you. That face,” he points at me, “is the face of a man who spent the night with his ex and is now being told he can’t do it again.”
“I mean, I didn’t ask if we could do it again.”
Matt lets out a low whistle. “So, you want to do it again? Even after all the hostility you always get from her?”
“She doesn’t give me that when we’re alone.”
He grabs two folding chairs from the corner and tosses one my way, as he drops into his. “I’m going to say something and you're not going to like it. Kylie won’t either, so if you repeat it, I’ll deny it.” I raise a brow and sit. “If she treats you one way in public and another when you’re alone, that’s a red flag, man.”
“If I say you don't know her like I do, does that sound toxic?” He laughs, and I do too, scrubbing my face with my hand.
