“You said he was curmudgeonly and hairy. I was picturing an ogre.”
Sadie couldn’t even dredge up a smile. “Oh, that. Yeah, he’s actually very nice. We, um, we dated for a little while. But that’s over now.”
Caroline gave her a wry grin. “Let me guess, you broke up with him. Does he root for the Mets? Have a complicated coffee order? Did he do something mean to you in a dream?”
He hadn’t done anything at all. It was all Sadie’s fault, and somehow that made it so much worse. Her face crumpled as tears welled up in her eyes.
Caroline’s expression wilted. “Hey, hey, I was just kidding.”
“I ruined it, Caroline. I messed everything up.”
The woman’s arms came around her. She patted her back and made soft crooning noises while Sadie completely lost it. Caroline led her to the couch.
“Come on, honey, sit down. Tell me all about it.”
So Sadie did just that, starting at the beginning with the trade they’d made and her decision to use their story for the plot of her novel. She told her friend about his previous relationshipwith Amanda and the betrayal that had followed. She continued the story right up through yesterday when he’d read her pages and broken up with her.
Caroline listened to the whole thing without interrupting, without passing judgment. At one point she pulled a tissue from the nearby box and pressed it into Sadie’s hand.
Sadie swallowed against the lump in her throat. “And now he’s moving back to his apartment... to get away from me.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were dating Sam?”
“I didn’t see the point. It was always destined to be a dead-end relationship.”
Her friend’s gaze drifted over Sadie’s face, no doubt seeing splotchy cheeks and smudged makeup. She covered Sadie’s hand. “Oh, honey... you’re in love with him.”
Sadie pulled her hand away and sent her friend a mock glare. “Why didn’t you tell me it was this awful?”
“It’s not... when it’s right.”
Sadie should’ve known better than to lose her heart to Sam.
“This just happened yesterday?” Caroline asked. “Are you sure it’s really over?”
“Did you not see him loading his things into his truck?”
“Still... he must have feelings for you. That doesn’t just go away overnight.”
“I broke his trust and that was already in short supply. I should’ve been honest with him from the first.” Enough of this. Sadie swiped the tissue across her face and blew her nose. “I’ll be okay. It had to end eventually. Probably better that it happened now than later. I would’ve only grown to care for him more.” Was that even possible?
Caro’s eyes softened as she wrapped her arm around Sadie.“There’s nothing wrong with falling for someone, you know. When it’s right it’s the most wonderful thing in the world.”
Sadie wasn’t too sure about that. “Well, obviously this wasn’t right. I live in New York and Sam’s life is here. It’s fine. This is just the way it was meant to be.”
And maybe this was the way Sadie was meant to be all along—alone.
Thirty-Seven
Your protagonist should slowly progress toward her goal—two steps forward, one step back.
—Romance Writing 101
It was a true testament to Sadie’s misery that even the email from her editor barely lifted her spirits. Surprisingly, it came on Saturday afternoon soon after she and Caroline returned from PJ’s Clam Shack.
Sadie had shown her friend the island’s sights all day. Caroline deserved a refreshing weekend away from the city. Besides, Sadie preferred to stay busy. She’d done a pretty good job pasting on a smile and forcing enthusiasm about the island’s fort and pretty pastel shops in town. They’d stopped by Island Art where they’d each found a unique souvenir.
Over dinner Sadie wondered if Mr. Ford was even now presenting his wife with that beautiful ring. Wondered if the woman would tear up as he slid it on her finger. She almost expressed her thoughts to Caroline, but just then their meal arrived. Besides,she’d talked enough about Sam today. She didn’t want to put a complete damper on the weekend.
