There was too much to respond to, Sage thought, suddenly tired from her long day and the family drama she didn’t want to deal with.
“While I appreciate the support, Mom, he has Daisy now, and his kids. That’s plenty.”
“You don’t know that for sure. Maybe he’d like to start up with you again. Wondering what could have been is very powerful.”
“I’m not interested in a married man,” Sage said flatly.
“That’s smart. It never ends well. Although if you guilt them enough, the gifts can be nice.”
Her mother returned her attention back to her own reflection. “Laser surgery it is. I’m going out in a bit. It’s ladies’ night at that bar I like. I’m meeting friends.”
“Have fun,” Sage said as she walked toward her bedroom.
Once inside, she kicked off her shoes and collapsed on the bed. Her feet hurt from work, her head hurt from dealing with her mother and her heart hurt from all the messes in her life. If she had friends, she would love to meet them at a bar, or pretty much anywhere. Sadly, she didn’t have anyone she was that close to. She hadn’t been home long enough to make new friends and her old ones, well, they’d never stayed in touch.
She forced herself to her feet. After pulling her blinds closed, she changed out of her work clothes and thought briefly about getting something for dinner, only she wasn’t very hungry. If she didn’t eat, she should at least—
Her phone buzzed. She picked it up and smiled as she read the text.
Why are you shutting me out? I thought we had something, but it’s not going to work if you don’t communicate with me. I know you’re going to say you are, but all I see is a blank wall.
Sage chuckled, then texted back.
Sometimes I need to be alone with my thoughts. And to get undressed. Not everything is about you.
Don’t you think it should be?
No. It should be about me.
Adam sent back a laughing until crying emoji, followed by, Can I buy you a beer? I have a new six-pack in the refrigerator.
If you include chips in that offer, I’m in.
I can do better than chips. I can make us burgers.
A man who cooks and plies me with alcohol. You’re my fantasy.
If only that were true. The front door’s open. Let yourself in.
Sage crossed the front lawn and let herself into Adam’s house. She walked through the kitchen and out onto the back patio, where there were two open beers on the round table and a bowl of sliced limes between them. In the second before he saw her, she had a chance to admire his broad shoulders and strong body.
He looked capable, she thought. Like a man who could handle himself in a crisis. Ellery had been the same way—without the blue eyes and square jaw.
“Why are you laughing at me?” he asked, turning toward her.
“I’m not laughing, I’m admiring.”
He walked over to pick up a beer. “Admiring?” His tone was both teasing and disbelieving.
“Sure. You’re a good-looking guy who offered to cook me a burger. Where’s the bad?”
He didn’t look convinced but motioned to a chair, then took one opposite her.
“How are things?” he asked.
She squeezed a lime slice into hers. “Good. Busy. Did I tell you Cassidy’s back?”
He frowned. “Cassidy is...”
“My baby sister. Half sister. My mom, Daisy’s dad.”
“Ah, the offspring. I remember her hanging out with you when she was here for her custodial visits. You were her favorite.”
“She was a little clingy.”
And still was, Sage thought. Every time she visited, Cassidy begged her to stay longer. Things were going to get uglier when she was able to start texting.
“She fell off a mountain.”
Sage explained about the accident.
“She has round-the-clock nursing while she recovers. She’s pretty battered, but her nurses say she’s doing well.”
He looked at her. “How awkward are the visits?”
“They’re fine. Why would you—” She wrinkled her nose. “You’re talking about Jordan.”
“You two were hot and heavy for a long time. Weren’t you engaged?”
“Yes.”
For nearly a year, before he’d dumped her and she’d punished him by going for France. Although “dumped her” was a bit of an exaggeration. With the wisdom of hindsight, she could see that he’d been right to suggest they put off getting married. He had still been in college, on his way to veterinary school, and she’d been drifting, not sure of what she wanted in her life beyond Jordan. They had been kids playing at being adults. Not exactly the best way to start a marriage.
“I haven’t seen him,” she admitted. “Which I’m okay with. He’s married to Daisy and I want them to be happy.”
Adam studied her. “You sound like you mean that.”
“Of course I do. Daisy and I were never close, but I wouldn’t wish her ill.” She might have, back in high school, but she liked to think she was a better person now.
“I genuinely don’t have time to deal with any more drama in my life.”
“Then I will regale you with humorous stories.”
“Such as?”
“I looked up Birkin bags.”
She smiled. “Did you faint?”
“Yes. Luckily, I didn’t hit my head when I collapsed. Do you know what they cost? They’re a handbag. A damn handbag.”
“I think it’s way more than a—” she made air quotes “—‘damn handbag’ if it was worth a car.”
“Point taken. You get enough of those together and you can buy a house—even in this crazy LA market.”
“Sadly I only had the one.”
“Still, your husband must have really loved you.”
She sipped her beer, not sure how to respond to his comment. For some reason, she resented the obvious assumption that the bag had been a gift.
“I earned it, Adam. No one gave that bag to me.”
He stared at her. “Do I want to ask how?”
“What does that mean? Why wouldn’t you want to know—” She set down her beer, leaned back in her chair and started laughing.
He studied her cautiously. “I didn’t mean for that to be funny.”