Page 39 of Searching for Sadie (Mystic Falls #5)

When she opened the door, she was greeted by the little jingle of the bell above her head and the laughter coming from the back room.

"Sorry I'm running late," Sadie said as she made her way back to book club.

"Yay! You're here!" Poppy clapped.

"Don't worry about it," said Kate. "Just grab a drink and some snacks, I'm sure we'll talk about the book at some point."

"The sign of a good book club... book not necessary," Lexi said with her dry humor.

After reading her aunt's letter she could help but be even more grateful for the women in this room. She grabbed a glass of wine and filled a plate with goodies before joining them at the table.

The women spent the evening talking about the book, but also about their lives. She'd been content to listen and chime in occasionally, but she hadn't shared much. So, when Hannah asked, "What about you, Sadie? What's going on with the show?"

It was time to make a decision. Did she let the women in, or did she keep them at arm's distance as she was prone to do? Taking a deep breath, she decided.

"I leave tomorrow to go film the reunion, so I'm just preparing for the shit show that I'm sure will ensue."

"I hope you punch that guy in the face," Poppy said.

"You should tell them you're working with Liam," Lexi said.

"Oh man, I would love to, but we haven't discussed it with any finality," said Sadie. She would be lying if she didn't want to tell everyone because hello, Liam James was singing her songs, but they were not at that phase yet. Nothing was official.

"Well, he talks like it's official. He's already thinking about the next album and about how cool it is to have a producer right here."

The internal scream inside of her was intense. Life was good, just get through the next four days.

"Is Lucas going with you?" Kate asked.

Sadie shook her head. "No. He offered, but I don't want to put him through the shit show that is coming my way."

"Do you want him there?" asked Hannah.

She sighed. Of course, she wanted him there. "I don't know, I mean part of me would love a buffer, but I can do it."

"No one is saying you can't do it, but sometimes a little support is nice," said Poppy.

"I know... I just don't want him to change his mind. We are in the beginning of a relationship. I don't want to toss him in the deep end quite yet."

The faces of the woman around the table did make her question her decision.

"I'll just say this," said Kate before taking a sip from her wine glass. "I've known Lucas for most of my life. We've played hockey for years and since I've moved back, I've really become close with him and Sam. I can tell you; he won't do anything he doesn't want to do."

Sadie nodded andpushed the hummus on her plate around with a pita chip. "It just feels like a big ask."

"I get it. And honestly, I would probably do what you're doing, but I know also having Wes there would be helpful," Kate said.

"I'll think about it. Can I ask you guys something? What do you know about Bridget?"

The women all shared knowing glances.

"Why do you ask?" said Poppy.

"I just found this letter in my great aunt's room.

It was an amazing letter and an explanation of why she gave me her house.

But there was something in it that just doesn't seem to make sense to me.

She said she gave me the house because she had her friend Bridget over for tea and she told her too. "

"I knew there was something magical about your appearance!" Poppy exclaimed, clapping her hands.

"What do you mean?"

"Bridget. She is why Graham and I got together," Hannah said.

"She's a big part of why Wes and I got back together when I tried to leave him," Kate said.

"I'm fairly certain a card reading I got from her predicted Liam, as unlikely as it seems," Lexi added.

"Bridget! I should have known!" Poppy said, still clearly excited at this new detail.

While none of that cleared anything up for her, Bridget clearly had a reputation, and one she didn’t entirely understand. But if it had anything to do with getting her to Mystic Falls, she wasn’t going to question it.

After the book club finished up, she was on her way back home.

The night air was cool. Fall was coming and she was excited for this town in the fall.

While she was sure, she just knew there would be festivals and cider and all kinds of goodness.

The thought of experiencing all that with Lucas by her side and this awful show behind her sounded like heaven.

As she came upon her house part of her wanted to go check in with Lucas and maybe ask him to come.

His steady supportive presence would be amazing, but all the lights were off in his house.

Slipping her phone out of her pocket she checked the time.

It was also 10:30. Even though she wanted him there, part of her still couldn’t bring herself to ask him.

They had an early morning, and she had a full day ahead of her.

She should at least try and get some sleep.

Once she was in the house she made her way upstairs. She was about to go get in bed, but instead she went into the bathroom and got her pajamas and shower stuff and headed into the larger bedroom. It was time she finally started treating this house as a home. Her home.

As she settled into the large comfy bed, George hopped up and promptly curled up by her back and went to sleep. Sleep didn't find Sadie quite as easily. But she tried to remind herself if she could make it through this, she could really start her life here in Mystic Falls.