Falling For Sarah (Sarah Series Book 3)

by Julieann Dove

  She let out a sigh. “Thank you so much, Sarah. I owe you big. But have a lot of people there. I’m bringing Howard, and it needs to seem more important than meeting his mom and dad.”

  “So maybe invite the Pope? Or the mayor—I wonder if he’s in town this weekend?” I looked over at Carter. He was licking the plate. I kicked his leg. “Stop that, Carter!”

  “What?” He looked up. A smidge of gravy dotted his nose.

  “Carter’s there?”

  “Yes, and he’s eating my house down.” I leaned over and wiped off his nose with a stray paper towel on the counter.

  “Make him come.”

  “I can ask.”

  “What?” he said.

  “Will you come to my house this Saturday to a pretend party, where we both save Maggie and announce something huge for Liz? Like maybe she’s won the Nobel Peace prize, cured world hunger, or is announcing her running in the next presidential election.”

  “What are you cooking?”

  I smacked his arm. “Carter!”

  “What?” He flinched. “I’m just wondering.” He paused. “Hold on. I can’t. I promised to take out…” He stopped and looked at me. For some reason, he wasn’t letting it out of the bag who he’d been dating. Not even Liz knew.

  “Who?”

  “Oh, you don’t know her.”

  “I know everyone, Carter. Remember? I was born and raised here. You only came on the scene a few years ago.”

  “I can’t come.”

  “Well, I can’t have it, then.” I shook my head defiantly.

  “Put Carter on the phone right now,” Maggie demanded.

  I handed the phone over to him as though now he was gonna get it. He set down the plate and placed it to his ear. All I heard was loudness from the other end. Mumbled and jumbled. He took a deep breath, bit his lip, and stared at me. I looked away.

  “Okay, Maggie. Yes. Yes, I do see your position. You wouldn’t. Maggie, that was said to you in confidence. Okay, fine.”

  He handed the phone back to me and got up to rinse the dish.

  “Maggie? Is he coming? What in the world do you have on him?”

  “He’ll be there with bells on. And if I told you, I would lose my little bargaining chip. So, you get Liz on board and I’ll see you around six. Try to pick up on any signal Howard might give that tells me I should run.”

  “Maggie!”

  “Okay, gotta go.”

  I heard the phone go dead and laid it on the counter.

  “Here, I’ve got that.” I went to the sink and took the dish from Carter. The water soaked my sleeve.

  “I’ll just come alone. It’s no big deal.”

  “Bring her.” I was pretending to concentrate on the stream of water, but I was wondering with all my might who he was avoiding to bring around.

  He touched my sleeve and reached for a towel to sop the water. “Think your shirt is big enough.”

  I held my arm still while he wiped it. For a second, it was uncomfortable. I could hear him breathing, even feel the warmth of his exhale on my face. “It’s actually Alex’s. He loaned it to me because it was cold outside.”

  “Alex, huh? Neighbor Alex? Quite a large shirt. You could’ve given it back. It’s not like there’s a chance of freezing during the twenty steps from his house to yours.”

  “He said he’d get it later.”

  “Will he be coming Saturday?”

  I withdrew my arm and stepped back. I shrugged. “I guess I could ask him.”

  “Well, I’ll go ahead and bring someone then. Maggie wants it to look big.”

  “Yeah, she does, I guess.”

  Carter walked toward the door. “Does Sam know about Alex?”

  “Sam?”

  “Yeah, your baby daddy. The one who…” He waved his hand as if to go on and on with his description, in case I needed more hints.

  I didn’t say a word. I wanted him to get the vibe. “No, I didn’t mention it.”

  His hand was on the doorknob. “Cool.” He nodded as if it were no big deal. “Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow. Sleep well.”

  “You, too.”

  I listened to the little sounds—his car door open and slam shut, the motor starting. And I thought it wasn’t too long ago that I would’ve been able to kiss him good-bye without it feeling out of place. Now it was just a weird scene. With weird feelings. I took Alex’s hoodie off and smelled it one last time before draping the chair with it. I supposed I would ask him over Saturday. No sense in me being the only one without a plus one who wasn’t three feet tall and still slurped yogurt from a straw.

  Maggie arrived an hour early. I believe she was wearing the same dress she wore to the wedding we attended this past summer. Her hair was upswept and her makeup was louder than usual. Howard had on a shirt and tie. Boy, did he think he was coming to something fancy! They sat in my kitchen at the table and watched me prepare dinner. It was nerve-racking. She drank half a bottle of wine and was beginning to get punchy by the time Liz arrived with Rick.

  “Maggie, go open the door for Liz,” I said, taking the bread out of the oven.

  “What was the occasion, again?” Howard asked as Maggie stumbled off toward the living room.

  She stopped abruptly; we both looked at each other. We forgot to get our stories straight for what the celebration was for. Maggie blurted something out. “Liz said she’s got big news.”

  “And that’s what the party is for? You don’t know?”

  I scrambled for something to say. “There were promotions at work. I feel sure she got one. Which is huge. It really is. All the other people who got one had a party, too.”

  Not really, but why else would we be going to all this trouble? Other than to keep Maggie from meeting the parents. Poor Howard. Who knows what distraction was coming for him next weekend? Unless she wanted Rose to have some wondrous news to party about. We’d have to go around the friend circle, just to make sure everyone was covered for big happenings.

  I set the bread up on the counter and bent down to get the meat out of the oven. There was a loud commotion coming from the front room. Maggie was quite loud with all that wine in her system. Howard stood and adjusted his tie, teetering on the balls of his feet, probably wondering whether or not to go in and get swept up in the commotion, or stay and continue to gawk at me cooking.

  Liz sprinted through the kitchen and grabbed me from behind. I almost lost hold of my roast. “What gives, girlie? Hungry?”

  I set it down and turned to Liz. Her eyes were frozen open, her mouth was gently parted, and she wasn’t moving. I shook off the oven mitts and grabbed her by the shoulders. “Liz? What’s wrong?”

  “I—”

  “Smells great! What’s for dinner? I’m starving.” Rick came into the kitchen, extremely bubbly, clapping his hands and bouncing with each step. He’s generally the one who you never remember he’s in the room because he rarely talks. Some of us even wonder whether he breathes. No one hears anything come from him. We barely have anything in common with the poor guy. He’s so techy. He does, however, think to share recipes with me on occasion. And he gives really tasty wine as gifts when they’ve been over a few times. And I needed one tonight. Maggie had downed my only bottle.

  I shifted my stare from Liz and addressed him. “Hey, Rick. It’s just roast, some potatoes, fresh beans, artichoke hearts, bread, and a tossed salad. I didn’t have too much time to prepare.”

  “I’m famished.” He gave a sideways glance to Liz and grinned. I noticed she still hadn’t made any attempt to change her frozen expression—lips still parted, with small puffs of oxygen exiting and entering. That was a good sign, at least.

  “Say, you didn’t happen to bring any spirits with you guys, did you?”

  He grinned again. “Not this time. I’m sorry.”

  “No problem. Maggie seems to be a sponge tonight. I’m afraid all I have to offer is tap water, tea, and a few sodas.”

  “Sounds great to me.” I’d
seen that goofy smile of his once before. Yes, it was the Joker’s from Batman. No wonder Liz looked traumatized. The man had turned crazy. Maybe it came from living with Liz. It’d finally done him in. And her, too.

  He disappeared into the other room. Howard had gone off to temper Maggie’s wonderful spirit and I was alone with Liz. “What’s wrong with you?”

  She grabbed her mouth. “Sarah, you’re not—”

  “Did someone say party?” Carter burst into the room. I didn’t even hear the front door open. He was his usual happy self, bebopping around. That cologne he wears polluting my kitchen. That infectious smile trying to tear down my defenses of “he doesn’t even affect me.” And don’t get me started on that navy-blue sweater he was wearing—rolled up mid-arm. My heartbeat began to switch into fourth gear as it used to in my gushy days before the “Sam Day” happened. That’s how I refer to the demise of all I knew as good and well. Rose and I were fine, Carter and I were…well, we were beginning something I felt was great. After “Sam Day,” it went to you-know-where, pretty darn quick. I really needed to shake that feeling. It was doing neither of us any good. I just needed to…What? No, he didn’t. Oh no, he didn’t.

  Standing behind Carter was Mitzy Campbell That she-devil from the administration office. The one I pretty much smeared the fact Carter was with me a whole three months ago. When she was doing handstands and backward flips to get him to notice her and her little, stretchy legs. And there they were tonight. Stretching out from a little tiny black skirt. Did the woman own a pair of pants? And not a stretch mark or varicose vein visible. What did she do, go get them all sucked out on her lunch breaks? Along with any cellulite she might have? I personally like to use mine to cushion tendons and bones. Seeing as I wear pants, they’re harder to see, anyway.

  Carter looked at me. As if to read my mind. What I was thinking. Oh, he knew what I was thinking. This was why I didn’t see him around the last three months. He didn’t want me to projectile puke and throw around my two cents at what I thought about this new union. What could I say? Her only fault was she sometimes went three weeks between manicures and six weeks between root touch-ups. Well, that and there might’ve been rumors she was a ho. I could believe it. I sighed and threw down my oven mitts.

  “Hi, Sarah.” She stroked Carter’s arm as though it would give her three wishes when she finished. Oh, I bet he gave her three wishes.

  “Hi, Mitzy.” Who names their child Mitzy anyway? Mitzy is someone you find suntanning on a beach, not at my wondrous whatever kind of party this was. With Carter.

  I saw Liz study my expression. She had finally shut her gaping mouth and gained some composure and color to her cheeks. I trusted whatever she had to tell me could wait until I finished my silent coronary from the bombshell Carter just laid on me with bringing that trollop.

  Rose ran in and jumped to his arms. Mitzy jumped back and stared at my daughter with horror.

  “This is Rose, Mitzy.” Carter beamed with pride.

  Rose reared back and bit her lip. Her hands clung to Carter’s neck.

  Mitzy adjusted her posture and quietly said hello. Rose could sense fear like a dog. She clung to Carter’s neck and lay on his shoulder. I could tell Mitzy was a bit jealous of this five-year-old’s hold on her date. Now, exactly where was my date? I kept check on the backyard of Alex’s house. I invited him a day after I was told of the party. I needed him to be there for moral support. And just to look good, sound good, and make me feel as though I wasn’t the complete loser of my friend group. See, I’ve got a man, too! And he can say the letters of the alphabet, all the while lulling you into a deep trance with his accent. Rick, Howard, and Carter can’t do that.

  “You all can go grab a seat at the table. I’m bringing in the food now.”

  They all filed out of the kitchen. I turned when I heard the knock. Thank goodness; it was Alex. He was smiling as he looked through the window. I motioned him inside.

  “Hey, I’m sorry I’m late. June went with some friends. I wanted to meet them before she left.”

  “That’s a good father.” I grabbed the bread and salad.

  “Here, let me help you.” He took the dishes from me and I grabbed the dressing and pepper.

  “Everyone, I would like you to meet Alex. Alex, this is Liz, Rick, Maggie, Howard, Carter, and Mitzy. Of course you know Rose.” She tucked her chin and popped out those adorable dimples of hers.

  He smiled and said hello. Then he tousled Rose’s hair and winked at her. “Rose, you look lovely.”

  She radiated from his compliment. Her dress was better suited for eighty-degree weather, baring her tiny white shoulders.

  I caught Carter looking at him. His expression wasn’t exactly a “happy to meet you” kind of one.

  “Have a seat, Alex. You can sit next to me.” I pointed to the empty chair.

  Dinner was weird. Maggie snort-laughed almost through the whole thing. It was extremely different not having Michael at the table beside her, almost as though we were in an altered universe. Rose asked a few times where he was and why Charlie wasn’t with her. Howard acted as if he didn’t hear her all three times, and I’m pretty certain Maggie didn’t. She was hamming it up with Carter about hair-dos in the nineties and songs she could sing all the lyrics to. Mitzy picked at her food and overworked the fold on her paper napkin with her pink manicured fingernails. I could tell she might be busy the next time I had a dinner party.

  I caught Rick trying to hold Liz’s hand when she wasn’t forking more roast on her plate. Carter finally caught on to Mitzy’s demure way of boycotting the shenanigans and wiped his mouth, and thus shutting it and keeping it shut. Completely opposite of Carter. He’s usually doing lap dances by now. Thankfully, it was time for dessert. Liz practically tackled me on the way to the kitchen to get them and dragged me to the bathroom.

  “I can’t wait any longer.” She slammed the door shut behind us. My robe slipped off the hook and fell to the floor.

  “Okay, okay.” I pulled some mashed potatoes from her hair before bending over and picking up my robe. “Can you believe Carter is dating Mitzy? As if. I can deal with anyone but her.”

  “Oh please, have you looked at your date lately?” Her brow disappeared under her bangs. “I thought I’d have to resuscitate myself after I saw him walk into the dining room. Hello? Can we just have a timeout here and you loan him to me for the weekend?”

  I smacked her on the shoulder. “Liz! Rick’s practically feeding you out there, and getting up to get you refills. You should be ashamed of yourself. He really loves you. And I know for a fact you love him. I see the way you’ve been leaning on his shoulder and playing with his hand.”

  She hung her head. “I know. And I do. It’s just force of habit. You know, fresh meat. It’s difficult being a shark one day and the next day being unbothered by the smell of blood. But, like you said, I really care for him. He’s so good to me, Sarah.” She swatted my arm and slouched forward, setting an intense gaze on me. “And I don’t know why you don’t just get it over with and tell Carter how you feel already. I’m so sick of this little thing you all are doing.”

  “Little thing we’re doing? What are you talking about?”

  “Oh, come on. How he makes excuses to stop you in the parking lot. And you and your leftovers. Sure, you had extra spaghetti sauce and knew he’d be in the lounge the time you ‘offered’ it up. Like you didn’t make it with him in mind. Pa-lease.”

  “I did and so what if he was. I didn’t plan that. And how do you know about the parking lot? He said my tire looked flat.”

  “I was there. Or do you just forget who’s within a mile radius when that man walks by?”

  “I’m not interested in Carter. And have you been paying attention? Of course not. Carter has taken a hiatus from me for the last couple of months.” Liz had no idea what went down with us this past summer—the on and off buttons we pushed within the same week. It worked to our advantage not to tell anyone. We’d only have to exp
lain the egg on our face when it ended. All seventy-two hours of it. Whatever. That’s what you get for crossing the friend line. Do not try this at home, children!

  “You all are so into each other. It’s funny to watch.”

  “Okay, whatever.” I began organizing the makeup brushes on my vanity. “You’re delusional. You’re having a reaction to all that house-playing you and Rick are doing. I don’t care. There is nothing between me and Carter. Now tell me what you’re so freaky about tonight.”

  I found myself being pushed into Liz when the door opened. It was Maggie. “What’s going on in here? They’re all looking at me out there like I know where the dessert is.” She looked around the small, baby-blue tiled area and scrunched her nose. “Are you all doing something illegal?”

  “As if!” Liz bopped her on the forehead with her hand. “I’m trying desperately to tell Sarah I’m pregnant.”

  I swallowed hard and felt everything in my body halt. “What? You’re what?” My stare moved toward her stomach. Like I was expecting to see a sign or something—Baby on Board. Maybe an outline of a curved vertebrae poking through her blue cable-knit sweater.

  “Yeah…pregnant.” She got that look again. Nothing moving in the noggin and mouth catching flies.

  Maggie moved past me and squeezed our immobile friend. “Congratulations, Liz! That’s wonderful.”

  I leaned back on the sink and grabbed my chest. I was in shock. Liz with child? What would Liz know what to do with a child? The most she’s versed with babies is how not to have one. What happened? Not that I wasn’t…wasn’t what one should be at a time like this—happy? Elated? I didn’t know who was more in shock, frankly—Liz or me.

  “Sarah?” Maggie touched my arm. “Aren’t you going to say something to Liz? Isn’t this wonderful news?”

  I erected my posture, loosened the hold I had on my chest. “Yeah. Sure. Wonderful. Liz, do you think this is wonderful news?”