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"Of course. Care to join me?" Sadie invited, patting the cushion beside her. Ty accepted the offer, sinking into the couch with a contented sigh.
I slipped off my sandals, relishing the release from the day's weight as I carried them into the dimly lit bedroom. The closet swallowed them whole, and I hung my purse on the doorknob, a silent sentinel guarding my belongings.
I kicked off my sandals and carried them to my bedroom, where I deposited them into the closet, hanging my purse on the doorknob. When I returned, Ty’s eyelids drooped as he laid his head back on the couch. He was asleep in a minute, softly snoring. Sadie giggled.
"That was quick," Sadie remarked, her voice a whisper in the stillness.
"He only got a few hours of sleep before we met for lunch," I replied, my tone hushed, as if afraid to disturb the delicate balance of Ty's repose.
"Should we wake him up?" Sadie questioned, a hint of concern threading through her words.
"Leave him alone. We can hang out in my room," I suggested, my voice barely above a murmur.
Sadie rose from the couch with silent grace, the pretzel bag in hand crinkling as she placed it atop the refrigerator. We left Ty to slumber, retreating to my room.
"What did you talk about at lunch?" Sadie inquired, her voice a gentle prompt, probing but careful.
I toyed with a loose thread on my comforter, my gaze fixed upon it as if it held the answers to all my unspoken fears. "He asked me some questions about my father's murder."
"But you don't remember anything," Sadie stated, her voice a mix of sympathy and understanding.
I winced at the reminder, the ache of loss throbbing beneath the surface. "I know, but it upset me. I know he's trying to solve the case, but I don't want to discuss it. It hurts too much."
Sadie's hand found mine, a silent gesture of comfort. "I'm sorry," she murmured, her words a soothing balm against the raw edges of my grief.
"It's not your fault. It's not anybody's fault but the man that killed him," I replied, meeting her gaze for the first time, the weight of my sorrow heavy in the silence between us.
"Maybe the case will never be solved," Sadie offered, a tentative hope lacing her words.
"I hope not. Someone needs to pay for his death," I declared, the conviction in my voice a testament to the justice I sought.
Sensing my agitation, Sadie changed the subject, a subtle shift in focus to ease the tension that hung between us. "Dan called," she announced, her voice a welcome distraction from the darkness threatening to consume us both.
"From work?" I questioned, my curiosity piqued.
I wanted to shake my head at her. Sadie had a bad habit of jumping into relationships with both feet, and when they didn’t work out, I had to pick up the pieces. But I couldn’t say anything because I knew I should be a supportive friend.
“He wants to have brunch tomorrow,” she said excitedly.
“Did you say yes?”
“Of course. He’s paying, and it’s all the mimosas you can drink.”
“Is that the only reason you’re going?” I questioned.
Sadie sawed her bottom lip with her teeth, smearing the light lipstick she wore. “That, and I’m curious about him. For all I know, he could be the one.”
I sighed. “You’re not even twenty-two yet and want to get chained down? What happened to enjoying yourself?”
“Unless Matt plans to ask me to marry him, I’ll have to find someone else.”
I frowned. “You haven’t even dated Matt. He can be a dick when he wants to be.”
“You say that because he’s your brother. I say the same thing about mine.”
I shrugged. “Forget Matt. He’ll break your heart.”
“Newsflash, Stewart, your brother is hot. Both of them are hot, but Matt is more my speed. Finley is sort of a nerd even though he’s a gorgeous nerd.”
