by JB Schroeder
“Jake,” Sadie said, “you are”—she drew a deep breath—“my very own dream come true.” She opened her mouth, but her eyes welled with tears and she shook her head.
Jake smiled. He knew how she felt. It was incredible and momentous—and totally overwhelming. He didn’t see any shadows behind her eyes, nor did she seem nervous. But this was a big deal. Far bigger than he’d planned. There were hardly words.
Sadie pulled one hand from his and made a rolling motion—as in, I can’t speak, just get this show on the road. He laughed, squeezed her other hand before letting go, and pulled the ring box out of his pocket.
He opened it. Two platinum bands: hers with an intricate floral design carved into it, and his had two grooved parallel lines.
He saw Anyele step closer and twist the lens of her camera for a close-up. As soon as she’d backed off, he took Sadie’s ring out. She held out her bare hand. Bare only because Sadie had insisted she didn’t want an engagement ring, but he’d secretly promised himself to make up for that later.
He held her eyes as he slipped it on her finger. “With this ring, I thee wed,” he said.
Sadie squeezed his hand, then released it to take his ring from the box. He tucked the box back into his pocket, and then she was holding his left hand in both of hers.
“With this ring, I thee wed,” she repeated. He felt her hands tremble before she slipped the ring on his finger and looked up at him.
They both broke out in wide smiles.
Sadie spread her arms wide, like well, that’s that, then.
But she wasn’t getting off so easy. Jake swooped in for a kiss, then scooped her up and spun her around. He felt so much joy in this perfect moment that his heart wanted to burst right out of his suit jacket.
Rita and Anyele clapped and whooped—and now, Jake noticed, so did the small crowd that had gathered both within the fencing of the observation deck and just behind it on Grandview Avenue.
Sadie laughed and leaned into him, and he put his arm around her.
The moms doled out hugs and congratulations, before Rita pulled the clipboard out of her bag and said, “Let’s make this officially official.”
She handed Anyele a fancy pen, then took her turn. Anyele snapped a picture of the document with the two witness signatures—just in case, she said—and Rita tucked it away for safekeeping.
One of the onlookers offered to take photos of all of them together, and then they got some of each mom with her own child, then both moms with each.
They re-entered the building, but for once, no one took time to look at all the old pictures of Pittsburgh in its smog-filled days. Rita and Anyele gushed and trailed behind as the newly married couple went to wait near where the incline would arrive.
It was a tiny building, and Jake heard Rita say to Anyele, “I know we are celebrating a wedding, but it reminds me. We’d be honored to throw Sadie a little graduation party next month at the diner.”
“That’s so generous of you,” Anyele said. “I’m sure Sadie would love that—if you’re sure it isn’t too much.”
Sadie squeezed his hand. “Rita is so good to me,” she said, emotion brimming in her eyes.
“She loves you,” Jake said. He had the urge to open his mouth and say more, to tell her how he himself felt, but the moms were approaching.
In no time at all, the cable car hitched to a stop before them, and somehow, they ended up riding down with just their party alone.
The moms, who’d both worn heels for the occasion, sank onto the gleaming bench along the rear. Jake went over to thank them both with a kiss and a hug.
Rita said, “May you and Sadie share as many good times and blessings as your dad and I did,” and then burst into tears again.
The epiphany hit Jake like the car’s cable had snapped clean through and barreled without restraint toward obliteration. No stopping the realization. He wanted that—what his parents had had. He’d been thinking he wanted to hold on to Sadie, but he hadn’t been considering what that meant realistically. Forty years of marriage, with its ups and downs, joys and heartbreaks, a family—the whole shebang.
He was, he realized as they all tromped off the rail car at the bottom, in deep trouble.
He’d persuaded Sadie to go along with his practical charade as a means to an end. He’d offered a pretend relationship, for a limited time only. Hell, he’d even given them an expiration date. Six months from the wedding.
But he wanted more. So much more. He wanted it all.
He wanted to hang on with both hands and never let her go.
Long term. In sickness and in health. For better or worse. All of it.
Holy shit.
There was nothing for it, then. He would love her so damn hard that she’d have to love him back.
16
They’d closed The Wanderlust to patrons for the evening. Instead, it was jammed with family and friends, including Jake’s brothers, aunts, uncles, and cousins; Sadie’s mom, her friends from the Children’s Museum and from Duquesne University; and some of the diner’s regulars who’d become like family long ago.
Rita introduced them as Mr. and Mrs., and Jake and Sadie kissed—not too passionately—in front of nearly everyone important to them and then laughed along with all the cheering. After they’d thanked their guests for joining them to celebrate, Rita gave them blessings from her and Chuck, and then instructed everyone to help themselves to food and drink.
It didn’t take long until silverware clinked on glassware, and a chant of “kiss, kiss, kiss” was taken up. Sadie looked only a little embarrassed, so this time Jake gave her the kind of kiss he’d been wanting to all afternoon.
He wanted to shout it from the rooftops: Sadie was his—at least for now—and he was the luckiest man alive.
Aunt Reenie squeezed their arms and squealed her congratulations. She’d managed to get Jake and Sadie alone enough to ask when he planned to tell his mom about the gift. “Next Sunday, for Mother’s Day. And you ladies depart three weeks later.”
“I hope that’s enough time,” Sadie said.
“I’m already preparing,” Reenie said. “It’s Rita you have to worry about it.”
Jake said, “We’ll help her get ready. There won’t be anything for her to worry about here or at the house, because we’ll be holding down the fort.”
“It never fails.” Reenie clasped her hands together and got weepy. “There’s always some sort of unexpected good that comes out of a tragedy, and you two are it.”
“I do wish Dad was here, though,” Jake said.
“He’s here, believe me,” Reenie said.
Sadie had already introduced Jake to all her friends, and now tall, flame-haired Lilian came back over bearing her gift.
“Congrats again, you two,” Lilian said, beaming. They chatted for a few minutes, during which—like everyone else—she asked about a honeymoon.
Jake had been kicking himself all night for not thinking about it sooner. They would have a hard time getting away for long with his mom due to leave and a business to run, but surely they could manage a weekend trip. They could always go somewhere more exotic later—if, of course, Sadie hadn’t packed up at the six-month mark. He felt a roll of fear in his gut at the thought but pushed it aside.
“Speaking of,” Lilian said, “you know how I am about gifts. I get so excited. Open it now.” And she thrust the wrapped package at Sadie.
“If we must,” Sadie said with a grin. She tore open the package, froze for a second, then clasped it to her chest.
Jake was confused. “Korean for Dummies?”
“I’ve always wanted to learn,” Sadie said, then turned to Lilian. “Thank you. Jake loves to travel, too. That’s so sweet!” She grabbed Lilian’s arm and steered her away. “Let’s get you a drink.”
Jake frowned. That was a little odd and yet another thing about Sadie he hadn’t known. Maybe—if they made it far enough to enjoy a lengthy exotic honeymoon—he should consider Korea.
His brothe
rs crowded him then, and all thoughts of travel vanished. Both Walker boys resembled Jake in terms of build, but Jeremy had a harder look due to his intense nature, and Jonah forever wore an easy smile.
“Dude,” Jonah said, “I didn’t see this coming, but it’s awesome.” He half hugged Jake, and they clapped each other on the back.
“Thanks, man,” Jake said, and couldn’t help the wide smile that split his face. “I couldn’t be happier.”
Jeremey also did the one-arm-hug and back-slap routine. “Congrats, bro,” he said. “Talk about a whirlwind romance. You sure didn’t waste any time.”
He raised his glass, and Jonah and Jake did the same.
After they drank, Jake said, “I know it seems crazy, but somehow it’s not.”
Jonah said, “Well, you’ve known Sadie forever, so that shaves off some serious time.”
“That and maybe there was a little help from some magical spring water.” Jake chuckled and shook his head, surprised the words had come out of his mouth. He’d barely thought about that silly legend. He hadn’t even mentioned it to Sadie—well, especially not to Sadie.
“What?” Jonah asked with a confused look.
But Jeremy’s expression was fiercer than usual. “Let me guess. True Springs.”
Jake reared back in surprise. “You’ve been?”
“Yeah. Apparently even magic doesn’t work on me.” Jeremy laughed, but it was brittle. “I’m the exception to the rule. A True Springs reject.” Jake opened his mouth, but Jeremy added, “Not talking about it.”
“Whatever,” Jonah said, and rolled his eyes. But Jake resolved to check in on his older brother soon to see what in the world had happened.
An older couple that had been frequenting the diner since the Walker brothers were young boys sidled up to them. Jonah greeted them, but Jeremy shifted to Jake’s other side and clasped his shoulder.
“Happy for you, man,” Jeremy said. “And we’re all glad you’re home. I always figured someday you’d get hitched to a perfect woman, but sure as hell never expected you back here.”
“Neither did I,” Jake admitted. “But it feels right. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
Jeremy excused himself to go lick whatever wounds he had, or maybe to slip out and head back to Vine, but Jake’s mind returned to his own last statement. It was shocking, really, but he was content here. He thought about the trading job in Barcelona that Reese had recently called about. He planned to listen when Reese called again—he believed in never shutting the door on an opportunity—but honestly? He couldn’t imagine taking it. Not even if Sadie would agree to go and live abroad with him.
He preferred to stay here at the diner and in Pittsburgh. He was home—right where he belonged. Jake looked around the restaurant, practically busting at the seams with family and friends—and Sadie. He was no longer trading air, as his dad had once said. He was trading in hot food and warm smiles and barks of laughter. His shares consisted of comfort, friendship, support, and community. And just maybe, the most valuable commodity of all—love.
17
Sadie had marveled at how calmly she handled both the wedding and the celebration. She supposed learning that Jake would end up ditching his plans to take a job in Barcelona had made it all easier.
Was she going to be crushed when he left? Of course. Her stupid, stubborn heart loved him. But she was going to enjoy temporary Jake and fake marriage while she could.
To that end, she did wear the wedding lingerie again Friday night after the festivities—at least until Jake tore it off her. And this time, she wasn’t concerned about her hair.
They slept in Saturday, spending the day together because Rita insisted neither of them come in to work, and then showed up for Sunday morning’s chaos at The Wanderlust.
Jake took a break midday to attend a few open houses. He’d been debating between buying in the Strip or in Lawrenceville (so trendy and popular that it was widely referred to as “the new Brooklyn”) just up the river and practically right next door. Both would still feel like city living. Either, he said, would keep them close to the diner and Sadie close to the museum, too.
When he returned, Sadie and Rita were both in the kitchen taking a short breather, since they’d been on their feet and hustling most of the day. Rita drank iced tea, and Sadie had been hungry and hot enough to go for a milkshake.
Jake’s eyes gleamed. “I found it, Sades.”
“Found what?” And then she remembered where he’d been—house hunting.
He ducked into the office and came back with his laptop open and balanced on one hand. “I found”—he worked the trackpad—“the perfect place for us.”
Us, he’d said and seemed to mean it. Sadie thrilled at the word and simultaneously reminded herself not to get too caught up.
He glanced up with a mischievous grin. “Just think, if we live in Lawrenceville, it’ll be like rubbing elbows with the Great One.”
“You really know how to sell a girl,” Sadie said. She adored the late Roberto Clemente—one of the best Major League players ever and a Pittsburgh Pirate for the whole of his career—and Lawrenceville was home to the Clemente Museum. “I don’t even need to see the house.”
She warmed that Jake knew her so well, but to a degree, she was serious. She didn’t need to see the house, because she wouldn’t really be living there, would she?
Jake dipped his head back toward the computer. “Three-bedroom townhome with a quaint backyard, modern amenities, walking distance to pretty much everything. I saw it earlier and it’s perfect. It even has a one-car garage—that means one in the driveway.” Jake’s eyes sparkled. “Someday you’ll want more than your bike.”
“Let’s see,” Rita said.
He set the laptop on the counter and turned it for them. Sadie made herself look for a minute but couldn’t focus on the details. She grabbed her milkshake glass and took it to the sink.
Rita’s eyebrows shot up. “You can afford that? Without getting in over your head?”
“I can. And the realtor in New York says there’s two competing bids on my apartment, so the timing is good,” Jake said. “I have to choose one this afternoon.”
Sadie busied herself flipping through her open tickets, but heard him ask, “Can you manage, Mom, if Sadie and I cut out a little early so I can show her before I make an offer?”
“Of course.”
Sadie felt her chest constrict. He still hadn’t mentioned the Barcelona job. Would he really buy the house if he was planning on heading to Spain? Maybe he just figured no big deal because he could rent it out. Or maybe the job offer had somehow fallen through. Maybe he was staying.
Could they feasibly end up in this house together? As in actually married and living together? She had trouble taking in enough air. Because he didn’t seem like he was just pretending. He acted like this was going to be their house—together and forever, amen. Did he expect her to give up her apartment? Because…
Sadie looked at Jake showing his mom the listing, and suddenly she felt unsteady. She grabbed hold of the counter like an anchor.
What they hadn’t talked about or planned ahead of time was what they were going to do after. After Rita went off to travel the world…after they no longer had to pretend…after the six months of marriage she’d promised.
Sadie bolted from the kitchen, saying over her shoulder, “I have customers.”
Mostly, though, she had to find some room to breathe before she spun herself into a full-blown panic attack. She beelined for the coffee machine, turning her back to the diners. There was already a full pot of decaf and regular. So, she stacked mugs—restacked them, really—for a few minutes until she had calmed. Then she took a big breath, told herself everything would be fine, and went to check on her tables.
Later, Sadie oohed and ahed during the tour of the house in Lawrenceville. Jake had even picked out a wall to hang the floral gallery print he intended to buy her. She agreed it was perfect, but her heart felt like
it was splitting bit by bit—much like tearing out a seam. Every new room, every fake smile, and she felt another thread pop.
By the time they’d capped off Sunday night with a movie in bed, Sadie was truly exhausted, body and soul. She kept dozing and finally just gave in. She awoke later to Jake turning off the lights. He pulled her against him spoon-style, then tucked the covers in around her front. It was so sweet—and so gutting—that a secret teardrop slid down her cheek.
The next morning, Jake announced that he had a phone interview.
“It won’t take long,” he said as he settled on the couch with his phone, a pen and a pad of paper. His laptop was already open on the coffee table. “I’m just humoring them.”
Sadie doubted that. Jake was going to get caught up, like he always did, by something new. She knew it like she knew when a customer was going to stiff her and decided there was no reason to listen in. She went off to take a quick shower, then dress. She didn’t bother with makeup. She suspected she’d end up in tears at some point anyway.
As she headed for the coffee pot, she caught the tail end of Jake’s conversation.
“Thanks, Rich. I appreciate the opportunity.” Then, “Will do. You too.”
Jake leaned back in the chair and stretched. “Well, that’s done,” he said. “It wasn’t so much of an interview as an offer.”
How could he be so nonchalant? Sadie felt almost numb as she sloshed coffee into a mug—and yet she realized she couldn’t go on like this anymore. Cautiously, she sat down in the armchair, set her cup of joe on a coaster, and braced her hands on her thighs. Anger stirred, and she was glad for it. She was tired as hell of being a sad sack in secret, sick to death of waiting for a shoe to drop.
“When do you start?” she asked.
Jake cocked his head. “Start what?”
She huffed out a breath of exasperation. “The job in Barcelona.”
He reared back. “You think I just accepted a job halfway across the world?”
She blinked, thrown. “What else am I supposed to think?”