“Long story short, he shut down.He didn’t even introduce us.”
“Ouch!I’m sorry.”Sadie reached out and gently squeezed her forearm.
Tears pricked the back of her eyes.She blinked repeatedly.“I know it’s ridiculous with us living in two different states.But I thought when I was in Chicago that things between us...that they’d changed.”Under her breath, she said, “I’m such a fool.”
“You’re not a fool.”When Abby didn’t respond, Sadie said, “You aren’t.But I’m starting to wonder if he is.”
“I know he is.”Abby lifted her chin.“I’m the best thing that ever happened to him.”
“Did he say anything at all?Did he try to apologize?”
Abby hesitated, but then she nodded.“Eventually… It just felt like it was too little too late.If he truly cared about me, he would have mentioned me to his mother.He would have wanted to introduce me to her.”
“Wait.Didn’t you say that she busted you kissing?”
Abby’s cheeks pinkened as she nodded her head.
“Then does it even matter what he said?His mother obviously knows that you two are more than friends, right?”
Abby never stopped and thought of it that way.She’d just been so hurt by Brad’s silence.“I...I just don’t think this thing with Brad...that’s it’s going anywhere.He certainly doesn’t seem that invested.”
Sadie arched a brow.“Are you sure?”
“I thought you were supposed to be on my side.”
“I’m always on your side.Don’t ever doubt that.But let me play devil’s advocate for just a moment.”
Abby sighed.“Do you have to?”
Sadie nodded.“Just listen.Haven’t you been in constant contact with him since Christmas?”When Abby grudgingly nodded, Abby said, “And didn’t he get you that fabulous espresso machine that makes delicious lattes?”Abby sighed again and nodded.“And doesn’t he blow up your phone every day with messages that have you walking around with that huge grin on your face?”
Instead of agreeing...again, Abby asked, “Just say what you’re getting at.”
“What I’m getting at is that if he isn’t crazy about you, he wouldn’t go to that much effort.Either he’s denying his feelings to himself, or he panicked when he got caught making out in front of his mother.”
“Hey, we weren’t making out.”
“Uh-huh.”Sadie grinned.“Maybe you should go talk to him.”
“Why should I go to him?”
“Because you gave him the cold shoulder at the shower.It was so cold that I wonder if he has frostbite.”
Abby shook her head.“I don’t think so.”
Sadie lowered her voice.“Come on.You don’t want to let him go without talking this out.It would be a big mistake.”
Was she right?Maybe she had overreacted.She’d been so worked up about meeting his mother and wanting it to go well.Other than her pride, was there any legitimate reason not to give him another chance?
She couldn’t think of one.
He’d ruined everything.
Brad sat in Mel’s Grille, nursing a cup of coffee that couldn’t hold a candle to the brew at Abby’s coffeeshop.He didn’t dare go to the coffeeshop.He worried that he’d be wearing another cup of coffee like the first time they’d met.
His thoughts rolled back in time.How was it that it seemed like forever since he’d first visited Bayberry—since he’d walked into the Steaming Brew for the very first time.
“Are you just going to sit there and frown all evening?”Reed asked.
