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“No, you look beautiful.”

Despite hearing herself say the words out loud, Ellie couldn’t believe she’d said them. And judging by Sadie’s blush, she couldn’t either. She lowered her eyes from Ellie’s, but Ellie noticed the smile on her lips.

Do I change the subject or acknowledge that I said that? Damn, I wish I could text Mason and ask her.

She tried to channel her sister to figure out what she’d tell her. Ellie assumed Mason would tell her to go for it. That was Mason’s dating style prior to her settling down with Chase. But Ellie wasn’t her sister. They looked alike and all too often acted alike, but Ellie lacked Mason’s forward confidence with women.

Ellie had seen Mason pick up women before. Noted how effortless she made it look. She wondered if she would ever get to that point or if she was bound to stumble over her words forever.

Clearing her throat, Sadie wadded up the paper from her dinner and tossed it into the paper bag at her feet before looking at Ellie.

“Are you excited about the play?”

“I am,” Ellie smiled. “I think it’s going to be great.”

“I have no doubt about that. You sounded great when I heard you a few weeks ago.” She noticed how Sadie’s voice had a hint of nervousness. “You’re an amazing singer, Ellie.”

“Thanks.”

“And thanks for the tickets. Mom and Charlie are excited.” She paused for a moment before adding, “I am too.”

“I’m glad you’ll be there.”

Tossing her trash into the bag, Ellie scooted closer to Sadie. Her knee touched Sadie’s, but neither of them moved. She watched Sadie bite her lip as she tucked her hair behind her ear.

Ask her out. Do it. Mason would. Channel Mason.

“Maybe we could do this again sometime.”

“Yeah?” Sadie excitedly looked at her.

Okay so that wasn’t necessarily asking her out but it’s a start, right? And she seems interested.

“Yeah,” Ellie tried to play it off as if it were cool if Sadie said no, “if you’d want to.”

“I do,” she answered quickly. “I had a lot of fun tonight.”

“Me, too.”

Ellie leaned in ever so slightly, seeing if Sadie would do the same. Which she did.

Are we going to kiss? Right here? On the pier?

Her hands were sweaty as she leaned in a little more. And Sadie did the same. She could feel Sadie’s warm breath on her face. Could hear her phone ringing in her pocket.

“Shit,” Ellie fumbled with the phone to turn off the volume. It was Mason, but Ellie sent it to voicemail. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay.” Standing, Sadie wiped her palms on her pants before picking up the bag of trash. “I should get home anyway.”

“Yeah, me too.” Ellie stood, too, and they walked back toward the arcade. She pointed down the street. “My car’s this way.”

“I’m that way,” Sadie pointed in the opposite direction. They stood silently, seemingly not ready to say goodbye but not knowing what else to say. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, see you then.”

Ellie watched as Sadie headed down the street, got into her car, and drove away before heading to her own car. Only to be surprised by Mason waiting for her by the car.

“Shit,” Ellie mumbled to herself. She crossed her arms as she walked toward Mason, who was leaning up against the passenger side of Ellie’s car with a to-go bag in her hand.