"The hairnet is a good look, Max." Sadie smirks. "Really accentuates how hard it’s working to contain your mop."
A snort slips out of me. "Don’t hate on the hair, Sade. Some men would kill for these luscious locks."
"Yeah, okay. Are you going to hurry on these rolls or do I need to toss them myself?" Sadie glances behind her at the table with her family. "The girls will start rioting soon."
She’s breathtaking as she spins back around to face me—casually dressed in denim shorts, a black tank top, sandals, and sunglasses that frustratingly cover her freckles. Her hair blows slightly in the breeze, gracing me with her peach scent—a sweet relief over the crustaceans that have surrounded me all day.
"Yeah, I’m working on tossing the last two."
"Extra sauce, don’t forget." She points at the bowl I’m currently working on.
I narrow my eyes at her, then flash my brightest smile. "I don’t need instructions on how to toss your salad, Sade." Winking at her, she opens and closes her mouth a few times as patches of red crawl up her neck.
"I, uh. Wow—"
"Cat got your tongue?"
She shakes her head. "No, I was going to tell you I agree. To the deal, I mean. But now…"
"Now you’re even more intrigued? Look, I get it. I’m a catch." I hold my hands up, pushing the baskets of food toward Sadie. "I’m glad you finally realized it."
"Okay, Casanova. Let’s not get carried away. I’m agreeing to your help because I have no choice."
I round the table, tossing my gloves in the trash as I do. "Who’s Casanova?"
Sadie grabs two of the baskets, while I pull the other two toward me. "Casanova… you know, like the—"
A chuckle bubbles out of me. "I know. Just wanted to hear you say it again."
Sadie rolls her eyes as we walk side by side to where her family is seated. They greet me with friendly smiles as Poppy blushes and waves. Sliding my phone from my pocket, I check the schedule of today’s events, and Sadie slides onto the picnic bench next to her mom.
"Hey, Sade. Meet me at the Oyster tent in an hour?"
"For?" she asks, chewing nervously on her bottom lip.
"Your first fun thing."
fifteen
Sadie
Awe, Shucks!
"I can’t believe he actually said that!" Mal roars, laughing hysterically as I recount my conversation to her and Sebastian.
"What have I done? I should’ve never asked him for help." I groan, placing my head in my hands dramatically.
Seb pats my shoulder. "Sade, he’s actually harmless. Always been a softy, even when we were kids."
"Speak for yourself. There’s nothing soft about that man." My sister fans her face. "Three words, Sadie. Rock. Hard—"
"That’s enough." Seb tickles my sister’s side. "Do I need to remind you how hard I get?"
"I was going to say muscle, hunny." Mal presses a kiss to his cheek. "But yes, please."
My mom left with all four of the girls once we finished lunch. They were overdue for naps, and she’s babysitting so the adults can enjoy the festivities—her words, not ours. It’s nice, though. I rarely get time with my sister, and this event is one of my all-time favorites.
The Mage Hollow Lobster Festival is a one of a kind experience. All the stores in the square close for the weekend while vendors line the streets with big-top tents, so many tables we could never fill them all, and enough seafood to make you forget anything else exists. It’s one big clam bake, with steamer stations, more red and white checkered tablecloths covered in corn and crustaceans than one could imagine, and my personal favorite—the oyster tent.
