Vanessa wanted a do-over. Anything to take her words back. “I just thought if we—”
“What about Dad? Have you thought about him?” Sadie paced to the tree, putting more space between them.
Shock came over Vanessa. She stood and walked to Sadie. “Of course I’ve thought about him. I wanted to live my whole life with your father. But at a certain point...” She put her hand on Sadie’s shoulder.
But her daughter pulled away.
“Sadie.”
“No.” She studied Vanessa’s face. “Are you asking? Or are you already seeing someone?”
“Well, that’s what—”
“I can’t do this.” Sadie stepped back. “Look, Mom, do what you want. I don’t want to talk about it. Not now.” She held up one hand and turned to leave.
“Sadie, I thought we could just talk about it.” Vanessa moved to follow her but then stopped.
Sadie looked over her shoulder as she walked away. “I can’t do this tonight. I’m tired.”
“Honey, I’m sorry... I didn’t want...”
“It’s okay. I’m fine. Just tired.” And with that, Sadie left the room.
Vanessa felt fresh tears well in her eyes. After the beautiful night they’d shared, Sadie’s reaction told Vanessa one thing. The reason she hadn’t brought up Ben before was because her feelings for him had never been only friendship related.
In slow motion Vanessa dropped to the floor and sat cross-legged in front of the tree. How could she move on with Ben if Sadie felt like this? But then, why had God brought Ben into her life in the first place?
Sadie would come around, right? Or maybe she wouldn’t.
Vanessa’s heart hung in a ball of knots, and she realized there was just one way to handle her fear. The same way she had helped Sadie earlier. She would pray. For the next hour Vanessa did just that.
She prayed for a miracle.
That somehow she could have the love of both Sadie and the man she couldn’t stop thinking about.Please, God. She closed her eyes.Please make a way.She wouldn’t move ahead without Sadie’s approval.
But already she couldn’t imagine a life without Ben Miller.
By the next morning Vanessa had more peace about the situation with Sadie. Her daughter was bound to react that way the first time Vanessa brought up the idea of dating. But she would come around. And in time—if Vanessa and Ben did start dating—Sadie would understand.
Vanessa was sure of it. One way or another, they wouldhave to finish their conversation before the dance. Because Ben was going as her date. That much was already decided.
Even if it was the only date they ever had.
The situation with Sadie was beginning to worry Ben. He and Vanessa were walking down Broadway in Old Town. The sky was blue, the air was cool, and Christmas filled every window and corner.
If only Vanessa’s heart didn’t seem so heavy.
“What did you tell her?” Ben glanced her way. Their pace was easy, the whole day ahead of them. Ben kept his tone even. “I mean, when you brought up the idea of me?”
Vanessa uttered a sad laugh. “I didn’t get that far.”
“Because...” Ben stopped and faced her. “You brought up the idea of having a guy friend, and she ran out of the room.”
“Not exactly.” She hesitated. “It’s all sort of a blur.”
Ben nodded. “Okay.” He kept walking. “You’ll figure it out.”
“I will.” She seemed relieved at the thought. Just then her phone buzzed. “Hold on.” She stopped and pulled it from her purse. “It’s Isaac.”
