Chapter 33
SARAH
“Come on, girls. We’ve got to get there before he does.” Marcie leans around the doorway. “Robyn and I are picking up the balloons and cake.”
“Ok. We’ll meet you there,” I say, and they disappear around the corner.
Kat slumps down a little further. “I want to go home, take a hot bubble bath, and reconsider my life decisions.”
She just returned from two days of court proceedings regarding the rights to frozen embryos.
“This job is not what it once was and has evolved into something I’m not even sure I understand anymore.” She sounds defeated. “Are you sure this is the career path you want to take?”
I think she’s joking, but her face tells me her question is legit.
With my courses wrapping up, I’ve had time to think.
I switched my major to business and enrolled in an accounting class.
Since I can only take a course or two each semester, I’ve surrendered to exploring my interests and options.
I need to sort out what I want for myself and what is realistic while raising two kids.
“Sarah, you’re incredibly smart, young, and beautiful. This job can make you callous and view the world and people with skepticism and negativity.”
I think about telling her that marrying a narcissistic cheater does that, too .
She groans. “It’s making me bitter and jaded.”
So many things have tempted me to fall into a pit of resentment that churns with a vengeance. One so deep I’d never climb my way out of, but so far, I’ve been held to the ledge by hope. Hope that someday, things will be different.
“Have you ever considered taking a break or practicing a different type of law?” I ask carefully, knowing she’s poured her life into this firm.
She peeks at me from under her long black eyelashes. “I wouldn’t know what to do with myself without this.” She slumps down in the chair further. “How pathetic is that? I need to get a life that doesn’t involve couples trying to separate theirs.”
She runs a hand over her face. “On second thought, let’s go. I need a drink. We can ride together. That way, I’ll have an excuse to leave early.” She stands. “If we hurry, we can change and drop your car off at home.”
I glance at my dress pants and sweater.
“Oh, please.” She waves a hand at me. “If we’re going out, we aren’t looking like we are locked up in cubicles and courtrooms all day.” She nods toward the front. “I have a dress in my car. We’ll find something at your house.”
She disappears, and I shut down my computer.
It’s only two weeks until Christmas, so I’ll be spending the weekend surfing Facebook Marketplace and getting creative with the kids’ gifts, hoping to find something similar to the massive train set Ollie has been asking for.
I’m looking at it as an exciting challenge rather than a depressing reality.
Kat follows me home, and I quickly change into the velvety cocktail dress my mom found. The long-sleeved black dress is tight-fitting with a short, flowy skirt. It’s a good mix of fun and casual.
“Dang, look at you,” Kat says, standing in the living room as beautiful as ever.
“You’re one to talk.” She’s wearing a bright red satin dress.
I kiss the kids, assuring Helen I’ll be home before bedtime, and slide into Kat’s SUV.
“Are you sure you want to drive me home after?”
She backs out of the driveway. “Yeah. I want to go to bed early and hope to wake up inspired to resume this life tomorrow.”
“You should go on one of those cruises that take you around the world.”
She glances at me. “What? There’s a ship that takes you all the way around the world?”
“Yep.” I pull down the visor and apply the lightest layer of lip gloss from a tube that’s likely two years old. “I saw a pamphlet at the library. They stop at all these amazing ports. Can you even imagine the things you’d learn and see?”
“A long cruise does sound nice, but we have a growing client list.” She blows out a breath. “Maybe I’d actually have time to meet someone if I were on the other side of the world.” She laughs.
We enter the pub just in time to see Seth’s reaction to the cake and balloons Marcie and Robyn placed around the small room adjacent to the bar.
His eyes wander to Kat with a slight glower, and she pops a few peanuts into her mouth to hide her grin.
“He doesn’t like his birthday, or he has a phobia of balloons?” I ask, placing a few nachos on a plate.
“I don’t know. In college, he never wanted to celebrate. Seth’s not usually grumpy, but he’s a real scrooge about this day in particular.”
“Hey. Here’s a menu. The food is amazing.” Robyn slides the laminated list in front of me. “And go get a drink. We gotta get this party started.” She sways her hips and lifts her wine in the air.
Kat’s eyes roll in my direction. “She doesn’t have to tell me twice.”
I follow Kat to the bar, but I hear my name. I twist to see Carson, Wind, and Trig with another guy, but no Slade. My heart sinks a little.
When I stopped by the garage the other day, I hoped to make amends for hurting or offending him, but I haven’t seen or heard from him since.
Not that I necessarily expected to, but I was hopeful after what Krissy said about him being scared.
I thought if I were vulnerable and shared some of my past, he’d see that his friendship is important to me.
“Well, hello, boys,” Kat says, resting her arms on their high-top table. “Is this the Friday drinking club?”
“If only,” Carson says. “Alex is in town, so it’s our excuse to drink beer and eat grease.”
Kat’s shoulders slump forward. “Must be nice to consume all those calories and never suffer the consequences.” She pops a homemade chip in her mouth.
Trig turns toward us. “You should join us.” He slides off his stool.
“We’re here for an office party.” I tip my head toward the room Marcie and Robyn reserved.
“Well, we’re watching the game at Slade’s this weekend,” he says, sipping his beer. “You should bring the kids over. We need to work on Ollie’s throwing arm.”
“And I’m making lasagna,” Wind tosses out.
“Thanks. He would love that, but I’ll have to see.
” I smile, knowing it would be fun, but I won’t be going without Slade inviting us.
“Ollie has a Christmas program at preschool next week if any of you want to watch one teacher try to keep twenty-five little kids in sync and from picking their noses on stage. He’d be so excited to have you there. ”
“Absolutely,” Carson says. “Send us the details.”
“We’re getting a drink.” Kat pushes away from the table. “See you guys later.”
“Have fun catching up with your friend,” I say, following her.
Kat squeezes between people to make room at the bar. “What are you drinking?”
“Just water.” One of her shoulders drops, and I smile. “I have two kids to put to bed tonight.” Plus, I cannot afford wine.
Kat stares over my shoulder, waiting for the bartender. “Great. Junior is here. I don’t have the mental energy to restrain myself from punching him in the nuts again. ”
I crane my neck and see him slapping hands with Seth. When I twist back, my gaze snags on a large figure at the other end of the bar. My big, burly neighbor leans, attempting to get the bartender’s attention.
Kat chats with the woman beside her about how long she’s been waiting, while I contemplate what to do.
I glance at him again, watching the sports news and patiently waiting.
Screw it.
I tap Kat’s arm. “Hey, I’ll be back.”
She nods, continuing her conversation.
I make my way down the bar, dodging people, and slide into the five-inch space beside him. “Funny seeing you here.”
He peers down, his brow furrowing a little as his eyes trace over me.
I tip my head in the direction of the other end of the bar. “Office birthday slash Christmas party.”
A person elbows me from behind, and Slade shifts, allowing me to inch closer to give them room to carry their drinks away.
“I saw the guys. They said you have a friend in town?”
He nods. His eyes haven’t left me, and it’s beginning to feel awkward. My skin warms, needing him to say something.
Maybe this was a terrible idea. I left the sash and crown on his desk. What if he Googled and made up his mind about me like everyone else did?
Someone brushes up against my back, and I twist to face Junior’s cocky smile. He looks like the Cheshire Cat who just trapped his prey.
“I’ve been waiting weeks for this opportunity.” His eyes linger over my body. “Damn.”
I could be home in leggings, my comfiest sweatshirt, and braless, not worrying about what’s happening underneath Slade’s silence or having to deal with Junior’s smugass one more time.
“Looks like it’s my lucky night.” He tips his head toward the bar, his grin spreading wider. “I get to buy you a drink. ”
“No.” I squeeze back, creating room between us and bumping into Slade.
“Aw. Come on. It’s one drink. I’ll let you buy every one after to prove you’re an independent woman.”
If I were a dog, I’d pee on his expensive shoes. Maybe I could settle for regurgitating my lunch. “I’d rather drink toilet water.”
His amused eyes run over my face. “You know—”
“She said no.” It’s that sharp, low bark.
I feel Slade’s presence expand behind me.
Junior’s eyes flick to him but return to me completely unfazed. “I don’t think this one has any trouble speaking for herself.”
Slade’s hard chest presses against my shoulder. “She already did. You have trouble listening.”
Junior straightens, shoving his hands in his pockets. “You know him?” He lifts his chin at Slade.
I turn just enough to glance up at him. That intimidating glare dares Junior to say the wrong thing. I like the protective feel of his massive posture way too much.
I might’ve totally screwed up this relationship already, so I throw caution to the wind.
“Actually, I was hitting on him.”
Junior’s unimpressed gaze moves to Slade. “You’re hitting on him ?”