Sadie cut him a sideways glance as they entered the restaurant. “Are you all right?”
“Of course. I’m fine.” He forced his muscles to relax, his lips into a smile, and told the hostess the party’s name. She led them through the restaurant toward the back, where a rented space opened to the beach. The wedding party and family milled around a beautifully set table that stretched the length of the open-air room.
Hayley, only a few steps away, was the first to spot them. “Sam. Sadie. You’re here.”
As Sam hugged his sister his gaze swept the room, settling on Amanda and Tag. They were engaged in conversation with Tag’s parents.
“You’re so pretty,” Sadie told Hayley. “I love the sundress, and that blue is great on you.”
“Thanks. You look amazing too. I’m so glad you chose the pink one. Doesn’t she look gorgeous, Sam?”
He tore his gaze from Amanda, but Sadie cut in before he could respond. “He already complimented me on my appearance like the wonderful date he is.”
“I’ll take your word for it,” Hayley said. “You’re sitting by me. I made sure of it.”
Sam swallowed as his parents noticed them and headed their way. When they arrived he introduced them to Sadie. She was charming and congenial, saying all the right things and sparing him from having to make conversation.
As they talked he was painfully aware of Amanda and Tag’s changing positions in the room, working their way closer to Sam’s group. He half hoped the party would be called to the table before the awkward meeting could occur and half hoped he could get it over with already.
Amanda wore her black hair up in a simple twist, exposing her long neck. The green dress wrapped around her slender waist and stopped midthigh, exposing long legs that ended in a pair of very high heels. Even so, Tag topped her by a couple of inches.
But the thing he noticed most about Amanda was her radiant joy. Even though this was her big event and she must have a million details on her mind, she seemed...relaxed.And that was not a word he ever would’ve used to describe Amanda Borden.
“Sam?” Mom said. “What do you think so far?”
He jerked his attention back to the conversation. He had a feeling that wasn’t his mother’s first effort to get his attention.
Sadie hooked her arm through his. “We agree. The rooms are beautiful and they’ve been great about Rio—they even left her a doggie bone and a water dish. Isn’t that nice?”
He gave Sadie’s arm a grateful squeeze. “It’s a beautiful hotel.”
Tag stepped into the circle. “You made it, Cuz. How was the drive?”
They exchanged a man hug. “It went by fast.” When they separated Sam spotted Amanda at Tag’s side. He forced a smile and greeted her with a hug. When he pulled away, he set his hand on Sadie’s back, urging her forward. “I’d like you both to meet Sadie. Sadie, this is my cousin Tag and his soon-to-be bride, Amanda.”
Sadie exuded warmth as she exchanged brief hugs with the couple. “I’m so thrilled to be here. You’ve chosen the perfectlocation for your big day, and I’m so blessed to get to be a part of it.”
“How kind of you.” Amanda’s smile was genuine. “I love your dress. Don’t you just love empire waistlines?”
“Thank you. Yours is beautiful too—that color is amazing on you. And those stilettos. If I could walk in those, I’d wear them every day.”
Amanda laughed. “The pain is so worth it.”
“Okay, everyone,” a young woman called from the doorway. “It’s time to take your seats. Dinner is served.”
As Sam and Sadie made their way toward their seats, she leaned in close and whispered, “You left outgorgeous.”
He supposed he had. He shrugged. Amanda’s striking looks had diminished for him in the wake of their disastrous breakup.
But taking stock of his current emotional state... he felt nothing but relief. And ironically, that only generated more relief. The most awkward part of the evening was over and he’d handled it well. Now he could concentrate on other things, like possibly enjoying himself.
***
“I had a really good time tonight,” Sadie said hours later as they exited the elevator and headed toward their adjoining rooms. Some of the others had gone out for a night on the town—in a golf cart. There were more carts on this island than cars.
But after a three-course meal and s’mores on the beach, Sadie needed to check on Rio. Plus it was getting late, and the socializing, while energizing, had eventually drained her. “Your parents are nice, and your whole family is so much fun.I thought I’d lose it when your uncle showed us his long gray chest hair. Gross.”
“He whips it out on the regular. Aunt Betty has tried to uproot it more than once.”
