Amanda touched Sadie’s arm. “I’m so glad he brought you, Sadie. We’ve all been worried about him. I felt just awful about the way things went down between us. Horribly guilty. Tag and I handled it so badly.”
Sadie’s mind spun at the bombshell Amanda had just dropped. The fragments snapped quickly into place.
“For the longest time we were afraid he wouldn’t even come to the wedding.”
The couple in front of them cleared away, and Sadie automatically stepped forward and ordered her drink.
Amanda did the same. “I’m sure you know Sam’s an amazing man. He deserves a special woman.” Her knowing smile assumed Sadie was that woman.
“Um, thank you. He is an amazing man.”
Her mind worked as Amanda turned away to reply to another guest. It was all making sense now. The bad breakup Sam had once alluded to. His retreat to the island weeks before his cousin’s wedding. The family tensions he’d mentioned when they first met. And Mrs.Ford’s obvious relief that Sam had brought Sadie along this weekend.
Sam’s beloved cousin had stolen the woman he loved.
The bartender handed Sadie her drink. She slipped a few bills into the tip jar and saluted the bride even though part of her wanted to smack the woman upside the head. “Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
“You too, Sadie.”
She walked unseeingly away from the bar, crossing the crowded deck. Hayley had given Sadie plenty of dirt on her brother, but she’d never breathed a word of this. That his sister hadn’t revealed this particular secret was no doubt a testament to the depth of his hurt and humiliation.
And yet Sam had not only attended his cousin’s wedding, he’d stepped in as best man and delivered what now seemed like the most gracious toast she’d ever heard.
His speech played back in her head—not a hint of hostility in his words or tone. She stopped at the top of the steps, palming her chest. He’s said such wonderful things about the people who’d hurt him so badly. His generosity made her ache for him. If there had been a shred of doubt that Sadie was in love with him before, it evaporated now.
Her vision cleared suddenly... and there was Sam. He stood alone for the first time tonight, just past the yard and on the beach, staring toward the bonfire. The moonlight shimmered off his dark hair and puddled on his shoulders.
Sadie’s heart expanded at the sight of him. All those grand emotions that had swelled inside her before the ceremony returned, along with others: respect, admiration, awe.
Her feet moved of their own volition, carrying her down the steps. She crossed the flagstones leading toward the beach, her gaze focused like a laser on him.
As if sensing her presence, he turned. At the sight of her striding his way, his lips lifted in welcome.
Every fiber of her being needed him right now. The feeling swelled like the ocean, engulfing her with the force of a tidal wave. She was helpless against the strength of it.
As she neared, Sam’s ready smile faltered. His brow furrowed. A question lit his eyes.
She had a ready answer for him. She set her drink on a bench and took his face in her hands, barely feeling the scruff of his beard before her mouth covered his.
He hesitated only a moment. And then he returned her kiss, his lips warm and pliable. She rose onto her toes. Wound her arms around his shoulders and kissed him like a woman in love.
Something about the thought distracted her from the delicious moment. She fought the urge to follow it and lost. She was in love with Sam, but for all she knew he was still in love with Amanda. Beautiful Amanda with the intelligent eyes, impossibly long legs, and graceful bearing. Sadie couldn’t seeherstumbling awkwardly down a porch stoop or sprawling through a door and into a man’s arms.
Was Sam returning Sadie’s kiss only to salvage her pride? Or maybe she was simply a stand-in for his true love—a woman he couldn’t have.
Heat flushed her skin and she pushed back, breaking the kiss. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—”
He gathered her close and took her mouth with his.
***
Sam had no idea what had sent Sadie striding his way. At the moment he couldn’t care less. Her lips were soft and delicious. The slight weight of her was a welcome embrace.
The blast of a firework interrupted their interlude. More explosions followed.
He drew away, found himself breathless. Sadie’s heavy-lidded gaze made him downright heady. Another firework exploded. “You have impeccable timing.”
She breathed a laugh. Her hand slid down to his chest where she could surely feel his heart pounding for want of her.
