Sadie.
My fear began to weigh on my shoulders as I stepped out of the shower and swiped a hand over the foggy mirror, clearing the steam. I hoped that she wasn’t mad that I hadn’t sent her stuff back yet. Maybe she thought we might reconcile too? I didn't know if I was that lucky. I didn’t want to think about it, and I knew she probably hated me, but there was still a fragment of hope in my chest.
I contacted my banker in a hurry, and I was glad when she agreed to meet with me. I got dressed quickly and by the time I ran out of my apartment, it was nearly 7:00. Nora drove me quickly to the bank and I jumped from the vehicle, making sure that I had the money that I needed in my account, even if it wasn’t my ridiculous inheritance. I had carved out a chunk of funds for myself over the years and it was enough to do what I needed to do. I sat at the banker’s desk for about an hour, tapping my foot as she spoke frankly and convincingly to a Mr. Andy Kameron at his small, beautiful farm in Virginia. I left the bank with a careful smile on my face, holding a formal bill of sale.
I bought Nora dinner at a little French cafe down the street and stuffed my croissant into my mouth quickly, drinking my lemon water while Nora laughed in a relieved sort of way, tucking into her sandwich.
“I hope it works out, Connor,” Nora said later that night as she left me by Harlow’s Coffee. “I hope you can be happy. It’s all I want.”
“You’re amazing, Nora,” I grinned, ducking down to kiss her cheek, and laughing when she blushed.
Night was heavy over the city as I ran across the street. I could hear parties and gatherings all around New York, hundreds of excited people gathering in the nook of Times Square. Oliver’s shop was lit with a myriad of twinkling golden lights and happy music, thumping gently from the shop’s cozy interior. I pushed through the front door and I wiped my hands on my jeans, pressing nervous sweat into the fabric.
“Good to see you, Connor,” Oliver clapped me on the back, holding Sammy on his hip while Rose rolled her eyes at her husband’s jolly attitude. “Hope you guys make up.”
“Oliver, I’m sorry—” I started, feeling a rush of guilt.
“Hey, it’s alright,” Oliver grinned, tapping his chest. “Healthy as a horse.”
“Horse?” Rose snorted, bumping his shoulder. “More like an ass.”
“Well, well,” Alex’s amused voice said from behind me. “Look who finally made it.”
I turned, grinning. On Alex’s arm, the girl from my lobby was curled into him, looking lovingly up at him. “Oh, hey. Lilah, nice to see you here.”
“Let it go, Connor. You had your chance,” Lilah sneered at me and kissed Alex’s cheek, who snorted.
“You’re right,” I nodded, winking at Alex.
“She’s over there,” Alex told me as they left, bumping my shoulder, and pointing to the tall windows in the reading room.
I nodded, squeezing his shoulder in thanks, and tried to see over the sea of people in the shop. While I was terrified, something seemed to unravel inside of me at the sight of Sadie, leaning against the window in a tight green dress. Her auburn hair was pinned up, exposing the smooth, pale line of her neck, and her arms were bare and wrapped around her body. She was beautiful and fragile-looking. I hated that I was the reason for the dark circles under her eyes. I wanted to grab Sadie Harlow and hold her close but somehow my feet were frozen to the floor. All around me, it seemed that the rest of the party was muffled. I could only see her, looking ethereal in the light of the glittering city beyond the windows. She blinked and somehow, she seemed to sense me. Her arms fell to her sides and she stood up straight, blinking big hazel eyes at me and breathing quickly. I nodded at her, and as the New Year’s countdown started around us, Sadie seemed to make up her mind. Time seemed to slow down around us and as the clock struck twelve, she threw herself into my arms, kissing me soundly.
I laughed as we broke apart, holding her close and pressing my face into her hair. “I missed you so damn much.”
“I know,” Sadie tried to sound stern, but her mouth trembled, and a tear slid down her cheek before I thumbed it away. “You didn’t send my stuff back.”
“I wanted you to come back,” I told her quietly as everyone cheered around us. Everyone was celebrating the new year and the beginning of a new turn of life.
“Connor…” Sadie seemed to choke on her words, and she squeezed my arms. “Connor, tell me it wasn’t you. Tell me you weren’t a part of it, please.”