Hiraeth

Chapter Thirty

It had been a few weeks since her heart-wrenching conversation with Beckett, and the air felt heavier than ever, thick with unspoken words and lingering emotions. Every corner of the estate held memories of their time together-moments that now felt bittersweet.

Sage's fingers brushed the petals of blooming roses, their vibrant colors stark against her muted mood. She had tried to keep herself busy, spending time with Emilie, Kade, and Fleck, but the absence of Beckett felt like a shadow that loomed over her every thought.

"Hey, you," came a familiar voice, pulling Sage from her reverie. Kade strolled toward her, a warm smile breaking through the evening's stillness. "You've been hiding out here a lot. You okay?"

Sage shrugged, trying to play off her feelings. "Just enjoying the flowers. They're beautiful this time of year."

Kade's gaze softened, and he stepped closer, concern etched on his features. "You don't have to pretend with me, Sage. I can see you're hurting."

Sage sighed, looking down at the ground. "It's just... things have been complicated." She bit her lip, debating whether to share her thoughts. "I miss Beckett. I thought we could work through this, but I feel like we're just drifting apart."

"I can't imagine how hard that must be," Kade said softly. "But you know it's okay to feel that way. Sometimes people need space to figure things out."

"Space," Sage echoed, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "That's the last thing I want. But every time I think about reaching out to him, I hesitate. I don't know what to say. I don't want to push him away further."

Kade nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Have you tried talking to him again? Maybe just a casual conversation to start? You don't have to lay all your feelings out at once."

"Maybe," she mused, biting her lip. "I just feel so lost. I hate feeling like this, but every time I see him or think about him, it just reminds me of everything we had."

"Why not invite him for a walk? Just the two of you?" Kade suggested, his voice filled with encouragement. "You know, get away from everything and talk without distractions."

"Maybe I will," Sage replied, a flicker of hope igniting within her. "I just don't want to make things awkward if he's not ready."

Kade smiled, clapping a hand on her shoulder. "You won't know unless you try. Just be honest about how you feel, and let him know you miss him. I'm sure he feels the same way."

With a soft sigh, Sage allowed herself to smile. "Thanks, Kade. You always know what to say."

"Just looking out for my favorite lady," he said with a wink. "Now, let's grab some fresh lemonade and enjoy the rest of the day. The weather's too nice to waste."

Later that afternoon, Sage found herself in a better mood, enjoying a glass of chilled lemonade with Kade and Emilie. They were seated at a picnic table under a sprawling oak tree, the sun filtering through the leaves and creating dappled shadows on the ground.

"So, when are you going to finally confess your feelings to Fleck?" Emilie teased, her dark green eyes sparkling with mischief.

Sage rolled her eyes, trying to suppress a laugh. "Oh please, that's rich coming from you. I saw you blushing when he helped you with that project the other day."

Emilie's cheeks turned crimson, and she waved her hands dismissively. "That's different! We're just friends. And besides, you're the one who's pining over your prince charming."

Sage's smile faded slightly as she thought of Beckett. "It's not that simple, Em. I don't know if we can go back to how things were."

"Then make it simple," Kade chimed in, leaning back in his chair with a casual grin. "Take a leap of faith. You've got to let him know how you feel. Besides, what's the worst that could happen? He might just be waiting for you to make the first move."