Page 58 of Love is a Game
Julie shrugged. “Sometimes.”
Sadie rolled her eyes and sat up. “I just don’t see the point. If I can make it through the next twenty-four hours without running into him, then it won’t matter. We’ll have the whole Puget Sound between us, and we can forget this ever happened.”
“I don’t know about that. Briar Cove is a small place, and I’m pretty sure he’s here to stay. How do you know you won’t see each other next time you come to visit?”
Sadie bit her lip, considering. It was a fair point.
“It really sounded like the two of you were becoming friends. I think you might regret leaving things like this.”
Sadie hummed noncommittally.
Julie let out a breath and admitted, “Selfishly, I’m worried you won’t come back to visit because you want to avoid him.”
“Don’t be silly.” Sadie pulled Julie up to sit beside her. “Actually, I’ve been thinking about it and I’ve decided I need to come back more often to see you guys.”
Julie beamed. “Really?”
She nodded. “Yes. There’s a good chance I won’t be traveling so much for work soon, which means I can make more of an effort to have a life outside of Maddox. That starts with spending more time with you. ”
“Good, because I’ve decided something too.” Julie sat up straighter. “When Tyson works night shifts, I’m going to go spend the week with you. We can hang out in the evening, and while you’re at work, I can see the sights. I bet there are art classes out there I could take.”
Sadie’s eyes brightened. “I’m sure there are.”
“It wouldn’t be too much of a distraction?”
“No. Julie, that would be so fun. Come anytime.”
“Okay.” She looked relieved.
Sadie reached out and squeezed her arm. “I love you. I’m sorry work took up so much of my time, but I’m glad we got to hang out as much as we did.”
“Me too.”
Sadie looked around the messy room and sighed. “All right, enough with the mushy sister stuff. I have to finish packing.”
Julie bounced off the bed. “Oh yeah,” she cried. “I forgot, I brought you something.”
She ran from the room, only to return a minute later with a cardboard tube and a large package wrapped in brown paper.
“What are these? Sadie asked.
Julie handed her the tube first. “This is your tapestry. It’s all wrapped up so it will be nice and flat when you unpack it. I taped the hardware inside too. And this,” she said, setting the brown package against the desk, “is a painting. I thought you could put them in your office when you get promoted.”
Sadie’s chest swelled with emotion, and she wrapped her arms around Julie. “Thank you,” she whispered, then stepped back and eyed the large package. “Can I see it?”
“You should probably wait. It’s already wrapped and I don’t want to do it again. Besides”—Julie grimaced—“I don’t want Mom to know I gave it to you. She sort of called dibs already.”
“What?” Sadie laughed. “I don’t want Mom to be mad at you.”
Julie waved her hand dismissively. “It’s fine. I can paint her a different one. I really want you to have it.”
“Well, thank you.” She hugged her again.
“I love you, Sadie,” Julie said, stepping away. “Do you want me to bring these out to your car?”
“Sure, I’ll be right behind you.”
Sadie picked up her suitcase and scanned the room for anything else she could carry. When her eyes landed on the blue quilt, she bit her lip, considering. Before she could lose her nerve, she grabbed it and headed outside.