Page 58 of Forty, Flirty & Fall Inn

I don’t tell her that he’s the same man he was seven years ago.

Still offering platitudes about “visiting” Veronica every week.

As if standing over marble can undo what they did.Or pretending flowers on a Lakeview grave somehow balance the ledger of his betrayal.

"Another time,” I decide to say instead, already backing away."Sage has an early morning.Inn responsibilities."

"Of course."Nana's smile is knowing."Sage, dear, it was lovely meeting you.We'll talk soon about Thanksgiving."

"Thanksgiving?"Sage asks as I guide her toward the exit.

"Ignore her.She's been planning imaginary family gatherings since I turned thirty."

"That's sweet, actually."

"That's terrifying."

We collect our coats and escape into the October night.

The rain has stopped, leaving the air crisp and clean.The limo is waiting, and I help Sage inside, following close behind.

"Thank you," she says as the car pulls away from the hotel."For the dance.For getting me away from Derek.For not letting me spontaneously combust from embarrassment."

"You had nothing to be embarrassed about.You handled it like a damn pro," I murmur, loosening my tie, watching her from the corner of my eye."That smile you gave Nana when she showed you that cape photo?Legendary restraint."

"I worked for him at CoreSyte, you know.We met at a company retreat.”I hear her exhale.“And I bought that dress for him."Her voice is quiet in the darkness."Spent money I didn't have because I thought it would make me look like I belonged in his world.”

My jaw tightens.“Sage?—"

"And then he left me anyway.For someone who probably doesn't even own dresses that cover her entire ass."

“You did belong.He just didn’t.His loss."

"Is it though?"She turns to look at me, city lights painting her face in gold and shadow."He got exactly what he wanted.Someone uncomplicated.Someone who doesn't challenge him.Someone flexible.Literally.She can put her foot over her head, you know.”

“He went in for someone boring, Sage.”

“And young.And beautiful.And?—"

"Boring," I repeat firmly."Trust me.I've spent my entire career around tech executives and their rotating collection of vapid twenty-something girlfriends.They're all the same.No depth.No challenge.No midnight goat chases or plumbing disasters or kitchen conversations that make you rethink everything."

She's staring at me now."Luke..."

"You want to know the truth about Derek Manning?"I shift closer, drawn by some force I don't want to name."He's weak.He saw your strength, your complexity, your absolutely infuriating ability to handle any crisis, and it scared him.So he ran to someone who would never challenge him, never push him, never make him question whether he was good enough."

"Or maybe he just wanted someone who doesn't come with a failing inn and a goat with separation anxiety."

"Maybe he's an idiot who gave up extraordinary for easy, not to mention, boring.”

“You’ve said ‘boring’ already.”

“And I’ll keep saying it until you believe me.”

We're very close now, the space between us charged with possibility.Her hand is on the seat between us, and I cover it with mine.

"You really think I'm extraordinary?"

"I think you're impossible," I say honestly."Impossible and chaotic and absolutely extraordinary.”I lean in.“And I think you're fucking magnetic.”