Page 120 of Forty, Flirty & Fall Inn

I hadn't even noticed the car arrive.

"Yeah.Sorry."

As we drive through Seattle's wet streets, I pull up Sage's contact.

Her name sits there, mocking me with its simplicity.

One tap and I could hear her voice.

One tap and?—

And what?Forgive her for lying?Pretend it didn't happen?Open myself up to being hurt again?

"You okay back there?"the driver asks."You're sighing a lot."

"I'm fine."

"You know, my wife and I broke up for six months once.Stubborn pride on both sides.Worst six months of my life."

For fuck’s sake, can the entire city smell the woman problems on me?

I sigh again.“What changed?"

"Realized being right wasn't worth being miserable."He glances in the mirror."Been married twenty-three years now."

"She didn't lie to you though."

"She told me she was a natural blonde for two years."He grins."Found out at her sister's wedding when the photos showed her roots.Trust isn't about never making mistakes.It's about choosing to forgive them."

“That’s a hell of a lot of insight for a simple car service.”

"Tuesday nights.Premium service."

I laugh.Actually laugh.

Maybe Killian was right.Maybe being right is a cold bedfellow.

Maybe eleven days is long enough.

Maybe—

My phone rings.For a moment, I think I've accidentally called Sage, but it's Connor.

"Emergency brunch meeting Sunday," he says without preamble."Callum's having a crisis about wedding venues.You're coming."

"I don't?—"

"You're coming.And Luke?Maybe wash your hair first.Daniella says you're entering hermit territory."

He hangs up before I can protest.

Sunday.

Four days away.

I close Sage's contact without calling.But I don't delete it either.

Progress, maybe.