“Well, what’s she like? Are you dating her?”
He scratched his neck. “Ah, no, Mom. Just... a friend.”
“Well, that’s wonderful. I’m so glad you’re coming and bringing a nice friend along. I’ve heard such wonderful things about the town. It’ll be a fun weekend, you’ll see.”
Weekend.He glanced at Sadie, still battling it out with the remotes. He needed to come clean about that. He’d been puttingit off and now he’d waited too long. At the root of his dread were the arguments he’d had with Amanda. Most of the time she was pretty calm, but when she got upset, man, could she lose her temper.
“Sam?”
“Yeah, Mom. Listen, I gotta run. Let me know what time on Sunday.”
“Just come whenever you can. We’ll eat at one. I’m making barbecue ribs, homemade mac ’n’ cheese, and coleslaw—all your dad’s favorites.”
“Sounds great, Mom.” They said their goodbyes and he disconnected the call.
The microwave kicked off, and the sudden silence gave way to Sadie’s mutterings. “I already pushed that button. Which remote? Oh, for heaven’s sake, could they have made this any more confusing?”
“Need some help?”
“There’s something wrong with the TV.”
The pout on her lips was kind of adorable. And called attention to the fullness of the lower one. “Let me take a peek.”
He grabbed the remotes and pulled up the app screen.
“I haven’t used the TV since I got here except for the regular channels. Also, I’m not very good with technology. Oh, that’s the right screen, I think. It’s on Netflix. Mrs.Miller has an account. How did you do that so fast?”
“The one next door works the same way.” He painstakingly typed in the movie’s title, then hit Enter.
“You’ll have to show me what you did. I’ll get the popcorn. Be right back.”
Sam set down the remotes and surveyed the seatingarrangement. Just like at his place, a sofa sat opposite the TV. Sadie’s phone sat on one armrest. She’d set his glass in the middle of the coffee table. He didn’t want to imply this was a date by sitting too close. But the sofa was pretty big. If he sat in the middle there’d still be ample room between them.
This isn’t rocket science, dummy—just pick a stupid seat.
He dropped onto the middle cushion, and Sadie appeared with a bowl of popcorn. Of course. They were sharing a bowl; they’d need to be somewhat close.
He felt pretty good about his choice, but guilt had pricked since the conversation with his mother. He should’ve been more forthcoming with Sadie about this wedding.
Sadie dropped beside him and set the popcorn bowl between them. “Okay, we’re ready. Let’s see what you got. Go sit down, Rio. No, honey, the kernels aren’t good for you. Remember what happened last time? Mommy can’t share. Go lay down. There’s a good girl.” She glanced at Sam. “Ready?”
“Yeah, um... before we start the movie, I, ah, have to tell you something.”
“Ooh, that sounds ominous. You’re not breaking up with me, are you?”
He blinked at her serious expression, his mind going blank.
***
Sadie took in Sam’s obvious dismay and laughed. “You’re way too easy, Sam. Come on, spit it out. How bad can it be? Is your printer on the fritz? Because I can always go to the library, you know.”
“No, it’s...”
He looked away, closed his mouth. Opened it again. Did ithave something to do with his mom or those family tensions? She’d heard bits of his phone conversation. But watching him now, she found his uncharacteristic uncertainty kind of cute. He scratched his neck when he was uncomfortable and avoided eye contact. She made a note to add those to her hero’s traits.
“You know the, uh, the bargain we made?”
“Your help in exchange for my being your wedding date. Yes, Sam, I vaguely remember the bargain we made just last week.”
