“That’s it,” Nancy whispered. “A little bit more…perfect. That’s my boy. Okay, help her into the car. That’s it. Serafina, roll down the window. Good. Seth…kiss her…good. Now smile and laugh.” Nancy smiled and laughed with them.
Sarah shook her head in disgust.
Serafina drove away; Seth remained in the driveway for a moment and then retreated to the house.
Nancy greeted him. “That was great. I especially liked your standing in the driveway. Nice touch.”
Ignoring Nancy’s ramblings, Seth looked at Sarah, his eyes weak with worry and sorrow. “Nancy, can you give me a moment with Sarah?”
“Of course, but don’t stand near the window. We don’t want to ruin all this hard work, do we?”
“No, of course not,” Sarah whispered and moved to the other end of the room. Seth joined her. “Do you think it’ll work?”
“Yes.” He looked pensive. “People are gullible. They believe what they see, what they hear.”
“The truth isn’t always so clear.” How many people believed the rumors about me? “Can I go home?”
“Not just yet,” Nancy answered from the doorway, still directing this melodrama.
Seth gave Sarah an apologetic smile. “There are three empty bedrooms at the back of the house. Why don’t you go get some sleep?”
“I think I will.” If she had to stay, retreating to one of the bedrooms sounded like a good idea. She headed toward the back of the house, but didn’t go to bed. Instead, she went down the hall to the patio, hoping fresh air might soothe her weary soul. The pleasant weather and a lounger beckoned. Sarah snuggled under a blanket and fell into a deep sleep. The sun woke her hours later.
“You can leave now.” Seth sat nearby, drinking coffee. “Nancy drove Matt to get your car. I hope you don’t mind. I took the keys from your purse.”
“So, I have the all clear?”
“Yes. You’re free to go. I guess you don’t want to stay for breakfast.”
“No, thank you.”
“I’ll walk you out.”
“Oh no you don’t. There may be photographers out there. I’ll get Matt to walk me to my car, and maybe I’ll get him to kiss me.” Sarah laughed. Seth didn’t. “Never mind. I guess that wasn’t so funny.”
Nancy joined them. “Well, Sarah, thanks for being so cooperative. I’m sure you’re not going to talk to anyone. Correct?”
“Of course not. It was nice meeting you, Nancy.”
“You too, dear.”
Sarah didn’t believe her. She raced to the car and drove home. What a night! She’d been saying that a lot lately.
A FIRST STEP
SETH
Nancy held up the magazine with the pictures of Seth and Sarah and Seth and Serafina. Her charade had worked. No one suspected they were not the same girl.
She pointed to the caption: Who’s That Girl? “So, who is that girl?”
Seth shrugged. “Someone I knew back home.”
“Yeah, right. Come on, Seth. I saw the way you looked at her.”
“We dated a long time ago. It’s in the past.”
“Well, let’s keep it that way.”
“I don’t see why you’re getting so bent out of shape.”
“Then I’ll explain. Your fans don’t want to see you with a girl like Sarah. She’s small-town.” Nancy held up her hand to protest his obvious objection. “People want to see you with someone worldlier, someone who oozes sex. Someone like…” She pointed to a picture of Serafina. “Sarah, no way. She reminds me of Mary Ann on Gilligan’s Island. You should be with a Ginger.”
“Really? I always preferred Mary Ann to Ginger.” He laughed at the stupidity of the conversation.
“I don’t care what you prefer. We’re trying to please the public. If they lose interest, you’re done.”
“Isn’t this supposed to be about my career? My personal life should be just that, personal.”
“Where have you been? Your personal life’s just as important as your acting career, maybe even more so. They’ll eat this girl alive if you start dating.”
“I’m not going to date Sarah. She’s not interested in me.”
“Good. My advice is to stay away from her. Far away.”
“I’ll take that under advisement. Is there anything else?”
“Stay out of trouble.”
Seth walked out the door with a spring in his step, happily anxious to meet Abby and Sarah for dinner.
So much for staying far away.
He followed Abby’s directions to her condominium, deliberating whether he would rather arrive before or after Sarah. Definitely before. If Sarah found out Abby had invited him, she might not show. If he was there already, she’d have to stay to be polite. Right?
“For me?” Abby pulled him inside her apartment and grabbed the bottle of wine from his hand.
“I hope you like it. My assistant recommended it. I’m not much of a wine drinker.”
“No?”
“I prefer beer.”
“Come on in. Would you like a beer?”
“Definitely. You have a nice place.”
“Thanks. I’ll get your beer while you open the wine. Sarah should be here any minute.”
“Great.” A fresh set of nerves kicked in.
“I saw the magazine article.” Abby’s eyes narrowed.
“Did Sarah tell you about it?”
“Well, yes. Sarah stood me up for brunch. She had some explaining to do.”
“What did she say?”
“She told me about the party and seeing you afterward on the street.”
“And?”
“And about the photographer and your agent, Nancy. She made quite an impression on Sarah.”
“What kind of an impression?”
“The jury’s still out.”
“I can understand that.”
A soft knock at the door made him jump.
“Relax. It’s probably just the food.” Abby went to the door.
It was Sarah. Seth sat still and tried to listen in on their conversation. Would Abby warn her?
“Hey, you’re not too late,” Abby said.
“My manager let me leave early.” Sarah sounded calm and relaxed.
Wait ’til she sees me. Seth prepared for Sarah’s reaction. He was standing at the counter, opening the wine bottle, when she came through the doorway. At first she smiled, and then she turned to Abby with a shameful scowl.
“Surprise!” Abby sang.
Seth looked up from the bottle of wine and gave Sarah a half smile.
“Are you crazy?” Sarah asked Abby.
“I wanted to get Seth’s autograph.” Abby held up the magazine. “Yours too.”
“Very funny.” Sarah turned to Seth and sighed. “Well, isn’t this a surprise.” She sat at the counter and pointed to the wine bottle. “I’ll need a glass of that if you’re staying. You are staying?”
“Yes?” he asked.
“Why?” she asked back.
“I was invited.”
“Abby, you should have told me.”
Abby cocked her head to the side. “You wouldn’t have come.”
“Exactly. You could’ve had him all to yourself.”
“He wouldn’t have come.”
“That’s not true. Tell her, Seth.” Sarah looked to him for confirmation.
Seth looked around the room. “Where do you keep your glasses?”
Abby pointed over his head. “In the cabinet above the refrigerator.”
“Abby, would you like a glass of wine?”
“Definitely.”
He poured two glasses and handed them to his two companions.
“We should make a toast,” Abby announced.
Sarah sneered. “You go right ahead.”
“Okay. To the newest couple in the tabloids…Seth and Sarah…or is it Seth and Serafina?”
“It’s both.” Seth raised his bottle of beer, and they clinked their glasses.
Abby
pointed to Sarah and him. “Speaking of couples, would you two autograph my copy of the magazine?”
“I will.” Seth grabbed the magazine and signed it.
Abby read what he had written. “To Abby, Boxers and briefs…and sometimes none of the above, Seth.”
“That’s good.”
“Thanks.” He took a sip of beer. “You should sign it, Sarah.”
“Okay.”
Abby took it after she finished. “Abby, you’re a traitor, Sarah.”
“Nice, Sarah, real nice.”
“It’s straight from the heart.” Sarah took a sip of wine. “So, when’s the pizza getting here? I’m starving.”
“Any time now. Seth, you like pepperoni, right?”
“Right,” he answered, feeling awkward. This wasn’t going well. He looked at Sarah. “Hey, if you want, I’ll leave.”
Sarah thought for a moment. “No. I’m sorry. I’m just surprised to see you, that’s all. Stay.” She looked at Abby, who glared at her. “Really, I want him to stay.”
Seth wasn’t convinced.
Sarah changed the subject. “Did you get a movie?”
“I did.” Abby went into the living room and brought a DVD over. “It’s a horror movie. Well, Halloween’s next month. It seemed appropriate.”
Someone knocked on the door, and Abby went to answer it. The pizza had arrived. Seth dug into his pocket.
“The person who hosts, treats,” Abby announced when she came back into the kitchen.
“Oh, thanks. I guess I’ll get it next time.” He looked at Sarah. “When you come to my house.”
Sarah laughed. “Right.”
Abby smiled. “Sounds good to me.”
Abby kept the conversation going while they ate the pizza.
“So, Seth. What was Sarah like in high school?”
Sarah answered for him. “Seth doesn’t want to talk about that. Right, Seth?”
“She was smart; she played soccer. She was a lousy cook. We had Home Ec together.”
“I wasn’t a lousy cook. I had a lousy partner.” Sarah didn’t look at him, but she did smile.
“Oh yeah, Corin.”
“No, Seth, not Corin.” She smiled again and appeared flustered. Perhaps he had pushed the memories too far.
“Why don’t we watch that movie?” He walked to the living room, feeling their eyes on him.
He sat on the far end of the couch. That seemed safe enough. Abby sat beside him, and Sarah lay on the floor in front of the television. The movie was your typical horror film, lots of blood, lots of girls screaming, lots of gore. When it ended, Seth looked down at Sarah, who lay motionless on the floor.
“She always falls asleep,” Abby whispered. “And always denies it. So, how do you think our first date went?”
“I suppose it could’ve been better, but I’ve had worse. Do you think Sarah will let me join your twosome?”
“The jury’s still out. Why do you want to?”
Seth squirmed. “I suppose I want to make things right between us. Does that make any sense?”
“Yes. It’s admirable to give her a second chance.”
So, Sarah had told Abby about their past. “No, it’s selfish. I want this, not Sarah.”
“Don’t be fooled by her. Sarah feels bad over what happened. How could she not want to make things right with you?”
“I hope you’re right. Time will tell. So, my house Tuesday?”
Abby nodded.
“If Sarah comes, I’ll allow myself to be hopeful.”
“And if she doesn’t?”
“I’ll keep trying.” He smiled at his new friend. “Thanks for tonight. You’re the only person who could have pulled this off. I’m indebted to you.”
“Oh, my! I can’t wait for you to pay me back.”
Seth shook his head. “I’m going home. I’ve managed to spend an evening with Sarah without too much drama, yet I’m drained. Thanks again. Tell her I said goodbye and hope to see her next week.”
SARAH
“What in the world were you thinking?” Sarah scolded Abby when she awoke to find the movie over and Seth gone.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Abby retorted.
“Well, then I’ll tell you. Seth.”
“What about him?”
“Abby! I don’t understand you.”
“There was no harm in inviting Seth to dinner. And he came. He obviously didn’t see the harm in it either.”
“Do you like Seth? If that’s it, then ask him out, but keep me out of it.” Sarah actually thought the discussion was pointless. Seth had looked bored the entire evening.
“Seth’s not interested in me. Sarah, this is about you.”
“Yeah, Seth wants to torture me.”
“You’re wrong. I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but Seth talked about you.”
“You should assume he doesn’t want me to know. Otherwise, he would’ve told me.”
It killed Sarah not to know what Seth had said. At the same time, she didn’t want to break Abby’s confidence with him.
“Maybe, but you haven’t exactly given him a chance.”
“In what way?”
Abby joined her on the floor. “In every way. You make it obvious you don’t want him around. Is that true?”
“I don’t trust him, Abby. Seth hurt me, and he thinks I betrayed him. Why would he want to be friends with me?”
“He told me he wants to make things right between you. I suppose he feels guilty for cheating on you.”
“So, this is for his sake?”
“Maybe. Can’t you start over with him? Seth has, with you. I don’t know too many people who would go out of their way to make amends the way he has. What’s the worst thing that could happen?”
“I could fall in love with him. I don’t think I could take that heartache again.”
“It is risky, but the pros far outweigh the cons.”
“How?”
“You and your family will have a better relationship if they see Seth’s forgiven you. And your relationship with Seth will get better. No more running, no more stress, closure, forgiveness, and…not to mention, one very good-looking friend.” Abby chuckled in a self-serving way, her motives transparent.
“Abby, it’s hard to see Seth. You know how intense first love can be. As wonderful as it is, it’s also incredibly painful when it ends. You never quite get over it. At least I haven’t.”
“I understand. All I am asking is that you leave yourself open to the possibility. Will you go to dinner at his house next week? One more week. Give it a try, for me?”
“I will.”
I have the chance to right a wrong. Her gut told her to take it. Her gut also ached at the thought.
THE HOST WITH THE MOST
SETH
Seth jumped at the sound of the gate’s buzzer.
“Why are you so jumpy?” Tessa reached for the intercom. “May I help you?”
“Y-yes. My name’s Sarah Matthews…”
“Yes, Ms. Matthews. Mr. Mathis is expecting you.” Tessa signaled for the gate to open. “She sounds jumpy too.”
“I hope not.”
“Should I get the door, or do you want to?” Tessa asked.
“I’ll get it.”
Seth opened the door before Sarah had a chance to knock. He smiled warmly as she passed by, and took in her scent. Sarah looked beautiful, as always. Her hair fell down her back just the way he liked it. She wore a little makeup, not overdone at all. Her blue eyes sparkled, and her lips…damn…those lips drove him crazy. She twisted them, of course.
Her body looked different from when they’d dated. Shapelier. Seth found her curves refreshing, having grown tired of the emaciated model look, no hips and fake boobs, skin and bones. Bobbleheads…big heads on skinny bodies.
He blinked hard to clear his head. “Abby’s going to be a little late.”
“She did that on purpose.”
Seth shut the door. “Did yo
u two have an argument?”
“Yes, over last week.”
“Meow!” He imitated an angry cat clawing at her.
“Exactly.”
“Come on in.”
“Where?”
“The kitchen. You can help me.”
“With what?” she asked while following dutifully.
He turned to meet her questioning eyes. “Cutting veggies for fajitas.”
“You’re cooking?”
Seth looked down at Sarah and broke out in a wide smile. He was thankful for the narrow hallway; it forced her to remain close to him. “Actually grilling. Don’t worry, I had help.” He turned and resumed the walk to the kitchen. “Tessa, you remember Sarah?” he asked after they cleared the doorway.
Tessa greeted Sarah with a hospitable smile. “It’s good to see you again, Sarah.”
Sarah smiled back. “You too.”
Seth motioned to the veggies on the cutting board. “Tessa, Sarah’s going to help me, so you can go home.”
Tessa laid a hand on Sarah’s shoulder. “Good luck.”
Seth jerked his head. “Hey, be nice.”
Tessa patted his back. “Remember, the chicken, steak, and shrimp are in the fridge. Good night, Sarah.”
“Good night, Tessa.” Sarah took Tessa’s place at the counter and cut the vegetables. “Tessa’s lovely.”
Seth resumed his place beside her. “She’s a second mother to me. You should see Tessa and my mother together.” He crossed behind Sarah and went to the refrigerator to get the meat and shrimp. “Do you want something to drink? I have all kinds of beer, wine coolers, wine, soda…almost anything you can think of.” He sounded overzealous; his desire to please her had to be evident.
“You’re in a good mood,” she said. “I’d like a wine cooler.”
“What flavor?”
“Anything except peach.” She wrinkled her nose.
“You’re perceptive about my mood. I got good news today. That contract? Well, it went through.”
“That’s great, Seth. It must be hard not knowing where your next job’s coming from.” Sarah sounded genuinely interested, and he felt grateful to have a safe topic to discuss.
“I’ve just started to feel secure, but you never know. I try not to take it for granted.”
Then & Now Page 23