“Oh, that’s too bad. Hey, we’re having pancakes for dinner. Isn’t that insane? Mom and I have decided to have breakfast for dinner once a month. You should come over next time.”
“I would love to. I make a pretty mean Denver omelet.”
“I don’t know what that is, but I’ll check Wikipedia later. Night!”
“Good night, Grace.”
*
“I didn’t imagine she would be as hot as she is,” Carmen mused, stirring her peach tea. “That’s for sure.” They’d come for their weekly get-together at Sabro’s and dined over a plate of sell-your-mother-for guacamole nachos. “Even Roman mentioned her undeniable beauty. Though out of respect, I’ll spare you his exact words.”
“Thank you, but I have two brothers and I can imagine. So what exactly did you expect? Details.”
“I don’t know. Someone a little more delicate and uptight with a severe hairstyle that says ‘I’ve got more money than God.’ Real-life Emory, while well dressed, was actually kind of fun.”
Sarah smiled and relaxed into her seat. “I love that you saw that. She doesn’t always show that side of herself and she should.”
“So what’s the update on that front?”
“The update is that I miss her like crazy. She’s been out of town on business all week and won’t be back until Friday, which also, cue the ominous music, happens to be her birthday.”
“Ohhh, the birthday. That’s a lot of pressure, Sar. Any big plans?”
“I’m picking her up at the airport, taking her to dinner where I’ll lose myself in those baby blues that I haven’t seen in forever, and then hopefully taking her home and having my way with her shortly thereafter. Speaking of which, would you be willing to keep Grace that night? She absolutely loves staying with you.”
“You’re sucking up. I like it. I’m sure we can work out some sort of exchange. My anniversary is next month and my rugrats simply adore staying with you as well.”
“Yikes.”
“You’ll be fine. I’ll draft you a survivor’s guide. But if they get hold of the scissors, you’re on your own.”
Sarah sighed. “It’s a deal.”
“So,” Carmen managed through a bite of her nacho, “sounds like we’re enjoying our newfound sex life.”
Sarah smiled shyly at the tablecloth. “More than I ever would have dreamed possible.”
Carmen scooted her chair in eagerly. “Specifics are definitely required. Are we talking gentle and easy or wild and crazy?”
“I think we’ve managed both. And maybe a few other combinations.”
Carmen shook her head in envy and glared. “Bragging is the instrument of the small and petty.”
Sarah grinned. “You did ask.”
“I did. And everything else is peaches and cream?”
“Um, yeah, for the most part.”
“Uh oh.”
“Don’t say uh oh, and don’t take that last nacho. It’s mine.” Sarah snagged the last of the nachos and slid down into her chair at its wonder.
Carmen eyed her knowingly. “Don’t use the nachos as a distraction. I know you, and there’s something else on your mind. Tell me now or I’m getting up and walking out of here. And you know I don’t make idle threats, so start talking. Five, four, three, two—”
“All right, all right. A little extra aggressive with the mommy mode today, aren’t we? Geez.” Sarah shifted in her seat. “It’s minor. It’s so minor in the scheme of everything good that I shouldn’t even say it out loud. But there are times when I feel like I’m…I don’t know, out of my league with Emory. Like I’m treading water or something.”
“Out of your league? First of all, that’s crazy. And second of all, what are you even talking about?”
Sarah took a moment and searched for the best way to articulate the nagging feeling she couldn’t seem to shake lately. “Emory travels all over the world. I’ve never even been out of California. She’s practically a world-class chef, and I peak at chicken and rice casserole. She knows everything there is to know about classic art and I watch Monday Night Football. Do you see where I’m going with this?”
“No, I don’t. I adore your chicken and rice casserole.”
“Work with me here. Focus.”
“Got it. Continue.”
“It’s almost as if we fit together, and I know we do, but our worlds don’t. She’s used to being on her own, nothing to tie her down, and then out of nowhere there’s this woman and her kid, who has these heart issues, and all sorts of ideas of family, and staying home nights. I’m worried it’s too much. That we’re too much and in the end, she’s going to realize that.
“All right. I’m going to put it to you plain and simple. Are you ready? And please pay attention because this is good.”
“So ready.”
“Okay, here goes…you’re a catch.” Carmen sat back in her chair as if she’d just uttered the most brilliant words anyone had ever spoken and was now letting them marinate in the universe.
“I’m a catch,” Sarah finally repeated with little conviction.
“Yes, you are, in fact, a catch. And so is your adorably smart daughter. You see, I’ve done the math. I’ve met virtually every kind of person, and you two are simply the best out of all of them, and I’m not just saying that because we’re friends. I mean, if it weren’t true, I still might say it, but in this instance, it just happens to be the truest thing on the planet. Are you with me?”
Sarah rested her chin in her hand and squinted. “I’m doing my best.”
“What I’m saying is that Emory is ridiculously lucky, and if she doesn’t see that, then you need to move on and quickly.”
Sarah’s eyes widened. “No, I’m not saying she doesn’t. It’s just this little voice inside my head that gets my attention every so often.”
“A little voice that you need to beat the hell out of until it submits to reason.”
Sarah laughed, her mood already lighter after talking with Carmen. “So you think I’m pretty great?”
Carmen rolled her eyes. “Whatever. You know I think you’re freaking adorable, all right? Do you feel better now?”
“As a matter of fact, I do.” Sarah grinned triumphantly and grabbed the check. “On me.”
“Did I also mention that you’re beautiful and smart too? Because Mama could use a new pair of boots. Just sayin’.”
Chapter Fourteen
It was finally Friday, and Emory was in high spirits. It was the first birthday in a long time that she was genuinely excited to celebrate. All she wanted in the world was a nice meal and the company of a very beautiful woman, one in particular.
The year had contained its fair share of ups and downs, but she was feeling hopeful, and that was worthy of some celebration. She couldn’t have been more excited to get off that plane and see Sarah and Grace, whom she’d not seen in six full days, a torturous eternity. She didn’t know how she was going to maintain the usual stream of business trips her job often called for. Things needed to be different now, and some sort of Plan B might be in order. She’d talk with Lucy about it soon.
As Emory made her way down the long corridor to baggage claim, she searched the faces of the eager family members waiting to greet their loved ones. When her eyes at long-last landed on Sarah’s, it was all she could do to maintain her steady pace and not close the distance between them in a less dignified manner, like an out-and-out jog. Instead, she shook her head, chuckling at the small sign Sarah held that read “Wanda,” and then took in the gorgeous black dress she wore for their evening out.
“You look amazing,” she said in Sarah’s ear as she pulled her into her arms.