She was still watching Denny walk away when Eastern gripped her hips again. “Sadie, tell me you understand what I said.”
She sucked in a breath and met his eyes. “If you want me around…I’ll be around.”
Thank fuck, because he couldn’t go another day without her in his life. Then, because he felt starved of her, he lowered his head and kissed her.
CHAPTER 18
“Ican’t believe he said that,” Elle said as she leaned over the kitchen island, eyes dreamy like Sadie had told her that Eastern had professed his love.
Sadie took out the ingredients for the apple sours. “He was pretty sweet.”
“Sweet? Sadie, he told you that you make him feel like he canfunction. That you make him stronger.”
Yeah, hehadsaid those things. Then he’d invited her to dinner, and she’d stayed at his place the last few nights. This morning she’d woken to his lips on her neck and his hands…well, everywhere.
Her cheeks flushed as she poured bourbon into the glasses. “Even though I told him I was happy to pause things…I’m glad the break is over.”
“Has he spoken to you about Jamie?”
Frustration bubbled in her. “He said she’s been hounding him to see Avery, even threatening legal action.”
“But Eastern doesn’t want her to see Avery?”
“No,Averydoesn’t want to see her mom, and Eastern’s respecting that. And after the way Jamie acted before shedeserted her daughter, I don’t blame Avery for not wanting to see her.”
“Me neither,” Elle said quietly, turning back to the focaccia she was slicing.
They were pairing the apple sours with a board of meats, cheeses and bread. Sadie’s stomach was rumbling just seeing it all come together. “Eastern has so many testimonies against her, both from Avery herself and the staff at her school, that I don’t think Jamie has a leg to stand on.”
“Then why do you look worried?”
Was it that obvious? She put the cap back on the bourbon and poured the apple juice. “I’ve known Jamie for a long time. Pretty much Avery’s entire life. But I’ve never seen her like I did in the shop the other day. She was so angry, and that, in combination with the possibility that she’s still drinking? I don’t know…it makes me scared for Avery and Eastern.”
“And for you.”
Her eyes shot up. “I’m not scared for me.”
“Sadie, she threatened you. And now that you and Eastern are back to seeing each other again…” Elle lifted a shoulder. “I’mworried about you.”
“You don’t need to worry about me. I’m fine. Better than fine. I’m back to seeing Eastern and Avery, and tomorrow, Sugar and Spice is reopening.” She grabbed the triple sec.
Elle looked like she didn’t believe her, but she didn’t push. “Everything ready to go for that?”
“Yep. Did some prep today, and tomorrow we’re a go. My grandmother is so relieved. She lives and breathes that place.”
“She’s lucky she had you to organize everything.”
Sadie shook her head. “No, I’m the lucky one. My grandmother was all I had when my parents passed away. Even before then, when my parents worked more than they parented, she was my world. Summers here were the best time of my life.”
Elle’s eyes softened. “That’s great.”
“It must have been amazing for you to grow up in Misty Peak.”
Some of the light left Elle’s eyes. The woman rarely talked about her childhood or upbringing. “It was okay.”
“You lived with your aunt, right?” She’d mentioned her aunt a few times but never her parents.
“Yeah, I lived with her after my dad left.”
