28 Days(13)
So why did she accuse him of being the one?
His eyes stung with tears as her image appeared in his mind.
It was a warm day, not a cloud in the sky, and she’d been walking her father to his car. Saige had turned and met his gaze. The smile she’d given him had filled her eyes, and her whole damn body had practically shimmered.
He remembered it like it happened yesterday.
Alex had laughed and commented, “You’ve both got it as bad as you can, bro.” Quinten had turned to Alex with a grin on his face. It had soon disappeared when he’d spotted Christina Lockwood standing behind his brother. She’d heard every word, and if looks could kill, he’d have died that day.
Tears fell down his face at the overwhelming longing to see Saige, touch her, and confess his love, even after all this time, washed over him.
Just one last time.
That’s all he wanted.
Just to see her once more.
Day 4
5:45am
* * *
Saige heard Tamsyn clambering around in the kitchen before she left for her shift at the diner. Normally, she would be getting up to head out with her, but not today. She wasn’t even sure if she wanted to go back and chances were she’d be fired for not showing up. She’d already missed two days. Lou wouldn’t be happy, even though Saige had worked for her for a few years without taking any time off sick.
At least her stepmom would be happy.
Shaking that miserable thought from her mind, Saige quickly threw on a pair of sweats and a sweatshirt.
She’d make some coffee and hopefully get some time with Tamsyn before she left. Last night, when she got home, Saige hardly said two words to her friend. Her head had been full of what Alex had told her. He left her with more unanswered questions, especially about his brother and her relationship with him.
She noticed that while Alex had answered her questions about knowing him and his brother, he hadn’t expanded either.
What hadn’t he told her?
Her heart pounded when she thought about Alex and his brother. The feeling of familiarity that she knew him had been strong while she sat talking to him. She hadn’t felt threatened by him and just hoped he hadn’t given her a false sense of security.
Saige wanted her memory back and to help Quinten Peterson if he turned out to be innocent. Alex just wanted his brother free and she had a feeling that he’d do and say anything to make that happen.
“Saige,” Tamsyn whispered.
She’d been so wrapped up in her thoughts that she’d made her way to the kitchen without really thinking about it.
Saige smiled softly at Tamsyn, muttering a distracted greeting.
Tamsyn stepped toward her. “How are you holding up? Headache gone?”
“It’s not that bad.” Saige watched while Tamsyn grabbed two large mugs and poured them both a cup of fresh coffee.
Tamsyn knew the basics of Saige’s past for about a year now, but Saige had never sat her down and explained further. Her friend had stumbled upon Saige’s picture online, so all that she knew was what was available to the public.
Saige added, “I really don’t remember anything from before, Tamsyn. I think the other day at work I was more surprised at seeing the man on the television and not feeling anything like I thought I would. It’s frustrating not being able to remember anything.”
When she paused, Tamsyn offered her a small smile of encouragement to continue, which she did, “I’m going to find out what happened, which is why I’m not going back to the diner. I can’t work my shifts and spend my time trying to read everything that I find. This is something I have to do. I’ll probably have to head home for a short while as well.”
“Oh wow.” Tamsyn sat beside her. “But I understand what you’re saying. I’m not sure I’d want to remember what happened if it was me, but I can’t imagine not having my memories...and, are you sure you can put up with your stepmom if you have to go home?”
“She won’t say anything about the job.” Saige sighed as she stared into her coffee mug. “When she discovers what I’m doing, she’ll go nuts. My dad won’t be too impressed either, once he knows that I lied to him about leaving it in the past.”
Tamsyn raised a brow. “You talked to your dad about it the other night at dinner?”
“Yeah. I asked him about the trial and Quinten Peterson. He wasn’t happy that I wanted to drag it all out into the open again, and he asked me to leave it alone.” Sighing, she added firmly, “I can’t do that.”
Sipping her coffee, Saige wondered again about Quinten Peterson and his brother. She knew the work that Alex had told her they’d done because it was beautiful and had always been admired when guests came to the house for the first time. Their carved design didn’t only go up the banister; they’d created the same design into molds that went around the light in the foyer of her father’s home. Each time Saige walked down the stairs, her fingers would trace along the delicate work, and for years she hadn’t had one memory of the Peterson brothers.
“Whatever you do,” Tamsyn started, “just be careful.” Her friend wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I know I haven’t been around these past couple of days for you, but if you need me, you call, okay? Don’t do this alone.”