Chapter 5
SARAH
I Caught Myself | Paramore
‘You mean to tell me that the hot guy you said was the best fuck you’ve ever had is Abby’s future brother-in-law, and you’ve waited five days to tell me this information?’
Zoe’s hands tightened on the steering wheel as she navigated the streets leading to Alex’s house, her perfect, petal-pink manicure wrapping round the leather to dig into her palms.
‘I did not say he was the best —’
‘He made you finish in about three minutes. Has anyone ever done that? On a bathroom sink or otherwise?’
Zoe knew full well the answer to that was no. Not without assistance.
‘There was that time with Lola when she used the finger vibe…’
‘Which had very little to do with Lola and everything to do with the vibrator, babe. Although I appreciated the recommendation afterwards. But if you’re comparing his prowess to a sex toy, I think you’re only further proving my point.’
Sarah sighed, enjoying the dappled sunlight moving over her skin. She was itching to do some nature studies in the park now that summer had well and truly hit. ‘We’ve agreed that they never need to know.’
Zoe snorted. ‘Yeah, that’s going to go well.’
At least she wouldn’t have to see him that morning.
Something had been circling in her mind. Alex’s girlfriend sitting around upstairs instead of joining for dinner felt a weird move to start with, but even more so if she was choosing to be there but not around. Which suggested she might live there. Which suggested a relationship longer than the three months since they’d hooked up.
She’d tried to remember if Abby or Erik had ever mentioned a partner and come up short. But as she combed through her brain, bits of conversation came back to her. We went for a walk with Celine , one night when Erik had come home late from a dinner with Alex. Celine charged in and stole my burger , after a family barbecue. When she was fully drawn into a painting, it was normal for her to only half engage with a conversation. The fact that she could recall those snatches at all was a miracle.
Sarah knew not all relationships looked the same, and it was entirely possible that his girlfriend was fine with him finding a bit of fun for the night, but if she wasn’t…
Sarah also knew it wasn’t her fault if he had cheated. But that did little to settle the gnawing guilt in her stomach.
When they were a street away, she texted Abby to come outside.
Minutes later, Alex successfully avoided, they were speeding down the M1 towards Sarah’s mum’s house.
‘I’m so glad your mum can fit us in,’ Abby said, leaning forwards to poke her head between the two front seats. ‘I’ve wanted her to make my wedding dress since we had that Halloween party in second year, and she made that incredible pirate dress for you.’
It had been spectacular. A frothy, lacy skirt pulled up on one side, exposing more leg than she’d ever been comfortable showing before. A corset that had simultaneously put her boobs on display and kept them secure. It was the first time in her life Sarah had felt sexy .
As for Abby’s wedding dress, there was never a question around her mum making it. She loved Abby and had heard plenty about Erik over the years. When Sarah told her mum they’d finally got together, her first question had been, ‘How long before they get married, do you think?’
‘You know I didn’t care too much about the venue,’ Abby continued. ‘We could get a fast food company to do the catering, and I wouldn’t blink. We’re probably just going to make a mega-long playlist instead of bothering with a DJ or a band. But I’ve been dreaming about my dress since I was seven—’
‘And you and Erik went to your cousin’s wedding, and you thought it was magical, and he decided he was going to marry you,’ Zoe finished.
Abby winced, an apologetic look shooting across her face. ‘I talk about him too much, don’t I?’
‘You’re in love. It’s sweet.’ Sarah shrugged.
Despite the pain it sometimes caused, seeing her friend so unabashedly happy was undoubtedly good for Sarah’s soul. It was a stark contrast to the way Abby had struggled with her mental health in the years since they’d met.
‘Besides,’ Sarah said, ‘Zoe’s just bitter that the closest thing she has to a long-term relationship is pretending she doesn’t want to fuck her co-worker.’
Zoe shot her a glare, and Sarah promptly shut up, remembering that all five foot five of her friend was in her confidence, currently.
‘It’s also a relief that you don’t have to pretend to deny it anymore. That was frustrating,’ Zoe offered.
Abby let the comment wash over her. They’d already teased her endlessly on the subject. ‘I’m not going to ask Zoe about the office demon—’
‘ I got up early to drive everyone. Why am I being dragged today?’ Zoe muttered.
‘—but how about you?’ Abby directed at Sarah. ‘It’s been ages since Gregg. Think you’re ready to find someone new?’
Ah , people in relationships. When they found their effortless bliss, they assumed it was as easy for everyone else.
A shock of blonde hair against her neck flashed through her mind, entirely unbidden. Not him , she scolded herself mentally.
And as if Abby could read her mind, she continued, ‘What about that guy you hooked up with while I was on holiday with my parents? You didn’t get his number?’
In the driver’s seat, Zoe began coughing madly as she tried to swallow a laugh. Abby passed her an open bottle of water and turned her face back to Sarah, who angled her body so she wasn’t quite looking back at her friend. She had his number now . But considering Abby was asking specifically about that night, Sarah didn’t feel it was strictly a lie to say no.
‘Too bad. I’ve never seen you that emphatic about how good a quick lay was. Imagine if he took his time.’
Beside Sarah, Zoe was biting her lip to keep her grin in, and Sarah cursed internally at the memory of the girls’ night Zoe had hosted a few weeks after the Bathroom Guy incident . The one where they’d polished off four bottles of wine and she had unknowingly admitted to Abby how good her future brother-in-law’s dick was.
Cringing to herself, she steered the conversation back to Abby’s dream dress, which thankfully lasted until they arrived at her mother’s studio.
***
Sarah: How can I help with the engagement party?
Sarah scowled at her phone, annoyed that she’d had to text him first. But it was already Tuesday, and she’d had radio silence from him since the invitation debacle on Saturday. If he wanted her help, three days was already cutting it fine.
Alex: Wear a pretty dress.
She wasn’t going to engage with that.
Sarah: Food? Decor? Music?
Abby would kill her if at least ten percent of the playlist wasn’t Taylor Swift, and she wasn’t sure she could trust Alex to provide that.
Alex: All sorted.
Sarah: If you’re sure you want Abby to murder you when her favourite Taylor Swift songs aren’t on that playlist, that suits me fine.
Alex: Trust me, I’ve got it covered.
Ugh. Infuriating, condescending man.
Sarah: Fine. Just tell me what I owe you.
Alex: If you really want to help, you can come over early to decorate.
Spending any length of time alone with him wasn’t appealing, but if this was the price she had to pay for being a stellar maid of honour, she’d do it.
On the bright side, her annoyance with Alex had consumed her enough that she’d forgotten to be annoyed with her current painting, a mud-brown bearded dragon sprawled in a flower garden. She’d actually been excited when the reference pictures—from a professional photoshoot, of course—had been sent over, because the flowers would inject some fun into the composition. Until she’d been asked to ensure Maurice’s sparkling personality shone through and wasn’t overpowered by the background.
Dragging her attention back to the painting, she scowled, turned away again, and grabbed her sketchbook, letting her hands work in a flurry of charcoal while she indulged in her latest trashy dating show.
When she saw what filled the page an hour later, she slammed the book shut in disgust and went to make herself a drink.