I tried to calm down. “Carter. He’s so stupid. He just thought it was funny to tell someone I was talking to that I’m a louse.”
“What?” She turned toward Howard. “Honey, go on without me. I’ve—”
“Nonsense. Go, Maggie. Look at you. You’re beautiful.” I looked at Howard. He was dressed to kill, too. “Both of you. Enjoy yourself.”
“No way. I’m here for you. Howard, give Liz the wine and explain I couldn’t come. Pick me up at Sarah’s.”
I grabbed her. “Maggie, please go.”
“Let’s go.” She waved at Howard and followed me to my car.
“I can’t believe you’re that stubborn.” I slipped off my shoes and looked at Maggie. She’d gone and flopped on my sofa.
“It’s not like I can’t spend time with Howard later.”
Don’t remind me. Doesn’t everyone have someone special just hanging around, waiting for that call or text?
“Michael was there.”
“At the party?” She sat up. “Are you serious? What was he doing there?”
“I guess Liz invited him.” I plopped down beside her and looked out the picture window. It’d begun to snow.
“I need to seriously remind her where her loyalty lies.” She rested her chin on her hand and stared out the window.
“You okay?”
“Yeah. I’m not affected. Truly.”
“I hear ya.” I got up and strolled off to the kitchen to grab a box of candy my receptionist gave me on the last day of school. “Want one? They’re filled.” I offered her the box.
She peered inside it. “Why are they broken?”
“I need to know what they are before eating them. I just pushed on them ever so slightly.”
“Ever so? They looked like they’ve been traumatized.”
“I don’t like the orange cream. Sue me. Half that box is orange.”
She grabbed two, one for each hand. I sat back down next to her.
“You look drop dead gorgeous, by the way. I can’t remember the last time I saw you wearing lipstick.” I grabbed her foot. It still had on her three-inch heel. “Seriously? You own a pair of these?”
“I picked them out last weekend. Haddie’s was having a sale.”
“You look amazing.”
“I had an amazing date I wanted to impress tonight.”
“Yeah, he looked really revved about leaving you.”
“He’ll get over it. You trump any party.”
“Well, I appreciate it. I was fine, though. I wish you would’ve gone with him.”
“Not from what I was seeing.”
“Carter just happened to be in the line of fire tonight.”
“Uh, if he did what you said, he needed to be.”
“I just don’t get it. Why would someone think it was okay to sabotage something that may or may not turn into something? It wasn’t bothering him.”
“Is he still with that twit?”
“Mitzy?”
“Yeah.”
“Yeah. I didn’t know you didn’t like her.”
“Remember when her sister was talking to Michael? She took him to lunch that time and he didn’t feel the need to tell me. Mitzy ran into me at the store and told me. It was the smug way she said it. They’re both whores.”
“Agreed.” I loved having Maggie as my friend.
“For some crazy reason, I always thought there was something between you and Carter.”
“Huh?” I reared back. “What do you mean?”
“You all just get along so well. You’re always spending time together, even when we don’t as a group. He’s a goof ball with you, Sarah. You’re a different person with him.”
“He’s a goof ball with everyone. And frankly, I got enough of that tonight.”
I heard a car door shut and got up to look out the window. “It looks like Howard.”
“Seriously? I told him to come later.”
“Go, Maggie. I’ll be fine. Honest.” I crossed my heart and smiled.
She stood and hugged me. “I know you will. If I found Howard, I know you’ll find who you’re supposed to be with. It’ll happen when you least expect it.”
“So you’re settled now? I mean, you were so scared before. How do you know it’s Howard?”
“I wanted to hang on to Michael for what I perceived would be my life. When I married him, I had this image of us on rockers, waiting to see our children pull up with our grandchildren. It took a long time to extinguish that thought. I felt like a failure. When I forgave myself for it not happening like that, I was able to see Howard for the wonderful man he is. And he is, Sarah. I could’ve lost that chasing an unrealistic dream with Michael.”
I hugged her tight. “You’re so wise, my friend.”
“Not really. It’s called the hard knocks of life. It’ll transform what you thought was right.”
The knock on the door broke our embrace. “Well, you go and hold onto that guy.”
She smiled and walked to the door. “I’ll see you after Christmas.”
“You bet.”
She kissed Howard and they walked to the car. I needed to take the knocks of my life and begin learning from them. Sam was a lesson, and Carter was someone I needed to stop seeing. It hurt to see him; it hurt not to. But out of sight, out of mind. We would always be friends. But going like this, he was a thorn in my side.
Sarah, I’m sorry.
I looked at the text a dozen times. Particularly the name of the person who sent it. Carter. I knew he was sorry. He’s just so obtuse sometimes. He doesn’t get when to give it up. Let it go. I stared into the oncoming car lights and figured out how I was going to get through Christmas. I hated having conflict on my mind. It was like a splinter. You forgot about it for all of a moment, then it pinged you again right when you least expected, driving a throbbing pain into your heart. Maybe I’d transfer to the middle school. That way I wouldn’t have to see him on a daily basis. Let’s face it: our group had lived its life. It would never be the same as it was a year ago.
I trudged through the herds of people and went to the terminal where I’d pick up Rose. Sam called when he boarded her on the plane. Erin, his personal assistant, would be traveling back with her. He sounded all jolly on the phone. I’d spoken to Sophie yesterday when she opened her present from me. She said her dad was happy. Just what you wanted to hear as you cried in your tomato soup and took a hunk out of a cheese sandwich.
Rose’s plane was right on time. She met me with open arms. Erin handed off her suitcase, her backpack, and a huge white teddy bear. “Mommy, don’t get mad. Daddy took me shopping and said I could pick anything I wanted.”
“This guy will need his own room, Rose!” I threw it over my back and stumbled to get my balance.
“Merry Christmas, Rose,” Erin said as she gave her a little hug.
“Bye, Erin.”
We began trekking back to the entrance. Rose was tired, so she was saying very little. I could hear myself breathe with this giant plush on my back. I looked over and standing at the magazine rack was Carter. I almost fell when I saw him. Thankfully I didn’t. But I didn’t want Rose to see him either. I guess he was going to his mother’s for the holiday. With stealth, I pushed the bear over my head and picked up my pace. Rose was none the wiser.
I had to shake her when we pulled into the driveway at home. I could see it now: a lonely Christmas Eve where I watched the Hallmark channel on a loop and wondered whether any of that crap happens in real life. Maybe I’d come up with an Anti-Hallmark channel where reality was the main topic. I wonder how many viewers I’d get. Yeah, how many people wanted a movie to go off the air with the loser girl still a loser, and the stunning male ended up with girl number two? I might receive some hate mail for that sort of network programming.
My phone rang just as I went to sit on the sofa. It was Liz. “Hey, girl.”
“Hey, what are you doing?”
“I’m getting ready to eat myself into oblivion while b
inge watching happily-ever-afters.”
“Hmm…”
“And what are you doing? It isn’t like it’s Christmas Eve and you’ve got a steady boyfriend with whom you can watch the snowflakes fall. What are you doing calling me?”
“I was just thinking about something Carter said, that’s all.”
“When?”
“Last night. He pulled me into the study and asked why I set you up with losers.”
“Well, why do you?” And why was Carter asking Liz? I didn’t think anything I said to him in my fit mattered.
“I didn’t think I did.”
I tucked my leg and pulled the blanket from the back of the sofa. “You sort of do. Except for last night. He was all that and some Sour Patch Kids. Nice fresh ones. The kind that melt in your mouth.”
“Don’t get me worked up, Sarah.”
“What? You have your box. Which is why I assumed I got lucky and you introduced me to Brian. Until Carter ruined it.”
“How did he ruin it?”
“He lied to him and said I was basically a streetwalker who robbed senior citizens. You know, but he side-winked and laughed out loud at the end. As if.”
“That would explain why I didn’t see you anymore.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry. I sort of told him off and left.”
“I’m sorry, honey.”
“For what?”
“For keeping the good guys and giving you the not-so-good ones.”
I laughed. “That’s you, Liz.”
“So what’s Carter’s excuse? He was sitting in there asking me. He’s done it, too.”
“I’d love to know myself. What pie did I poop in of his?”
A burst of laughter shot through the phone. “I’m drinking. You’re gonna make me choke.”
“Sorry.”
“Well, he was upset. Obviously you did clean his grill.”
“I feel bad about it.”
“He’ll get over it.”
“So the reason I wanted to see you last night was to tell you…I’m having a girl!”
I covered my gaping mouth. “Oh my goodness! I’m so happy, Liz.”
“I know, right? Rose can have a real live baby doll in just a few short months!”
“How short?”
“March 25th, give or take.”
“I’ll take! Congratulations. What does Rick think?”
“He’s already brought home ten pink swatches to try out for the paint color. And a tiara. And a castle. He’s flipped out. It’s crazy around here, Sarah.”
“I’m so happy for you both.”
“Thanks, honey.”
“I guess you heard about Maggie.”
“Yeah, she told me. I don’t know. Was it me, or did she sound relieved?”
“I’m not sure. She said she’d talk to me about it in a year when she can gather her thoughts better. By the way, I inadvertently stole her from your party last night. I don’t know if you saw Howard there. He brought the wine they were bringing together before she caught me running away from my hissy fit with Carter. I think she’s happy now to be with Howard. Sometimes chapters close in your life.”
“Do they ever. Who would have ever thought to put this chapter in my book?”
“Whoever would?”
“Oh, honey, I know Mr. Right is out there right now. Searching for you. Wondering if he’s ever going to find you.”
“I’d love to know his GPS location. I’d meet him halfway.”
“Well, until then, let me know if there is anything you need. I hear a big storm is coming in. I hope it waits till after dinner tomorrow. Rick’s mom is having us over. She bakes the best manicotti.”
“Well, you enjoy. And Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, sweetie.”
I clicked on the television and snuggled in to watch a dreamboat guy track down an unsuspecting girl. I must’ve dozed off because when I awoke, I saw two little eyes staring at me.
I jumped up. The crook in my neck snapped me back. I began rubbing it out. “Honey! What time is it?”
“The oven has a seven and a one on it.”
Seven and one? I ran and checked. Holy moly, it was seven ten. I’d dozed off and forgotten to get the gifts under the tree from Santa. I came in to hear Rose ask what was wrong.
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t see the cookie plate. Did Santa eat anything? Mommy, don’t tell me you forgot to put the chocolate chip cookies out?”
I looked around. My ice cream container was sitting empty, with a spoon tucked inside. “Looks like he had some Rocky Road.”
“He did?” She pulled it from my hand and looked inside. “He was hungry. He must not get ice cream very often.”
“I’d say not.”
She looked around. “But where’s the presents?”
The tree was twinkling, but there was nothing on the tree skirt. Never had I felt so ill-prepared. The rumors were true: I was a loser. No man, no Santa, no…
“I know what happened!” I said, with an idea that’d magically popped into my head.
“What?”
“Well, I must’ve fallen asleep, right?”
“Right.”
“And when he came down the chimney, he couldn’t leave the presents.”
“Why?”
“Because…” My eyes darted from one wall to the other. Never making contact with hers. “Because I was there. And if I saw him, he couldn’t deliver any more.”
“No more?”
“None. The magic would’ve been gone.” I knelt. “You see, Rose. Santa is magical to all who believe. And we believe, right?”
She nodded her head.
“So when this happens, and it does, there’s protocol to be followed.”
“What’s protohol?”
“Protocol. I need to call the main elf line and see just where he put them.”
“Did he leave them at June’s house?”
“You know what? Maybe he did. Let me call and see, shall we?”
I picked up my phone and dialed a number. I looked around, pretending to wait for the magic elf to answer. “Hello, Mr. Elf? Yes, it seems I was…what? You know? Well, where are our gifts?” I bit my finger. “They are? And that too? Okay, thank you so much. Have a merry Christmas.”
I went to the door and began putting on my coat and shoes. “Rose, you have to go to your room and find that pink sweater. The elf says that’s how they will know it’s us in the magic glass. And then he can reveal the presents.”
She jumped up and down. “Yay! I’ll go now, Mommy.”
I knew that sweater was safely in the Salvation Army donation box and it would take Rose forever to look for it. Just enough time to call Alex and have him pretend to bring them over. I went out to the porch and called him.
“Merry Christmas, Sarah.”
“Merry Christmas, Alex. I have a huge favor to ask.”
“Okay.”
I explained what had happened and he said he’d go to my bedroom window and take the gifts and appear at the door with them. All systems check. I ran inside to freshen up and haul them to the other side of the room. I stored them in the top part of my closet underneath a sheet. When Rose grew tall enough to see there, I’d change hiding places. For now, it was cake hiding them from her.
I checked on her as she was tearing all the clothes she owned from her drawers. I couldn’t get mad, as I’d caused all this by falling asleep. “Hey, girl.”
Rose looked up, dismay plastered to her little freckled face.
“Turns out Alex had them all along. The elf called back. You don’t need the sweater after all.”
She puffed a big surge of air. “Good, because I can’t find it anywhere.”
“Let’s go. I think I hear him now. He must really be confused to see all those things underneath his tree. I bet June thought she had been extra good this year.”
Alex knocked on the door. Rose went and pulled it open. She gasped. His arms were full. She began
pulling off the smaller ones and dragging them to the floor in front of the tree. “Thank you, Alex. Did you know Santa took our gifts to your house? Did June think they were for her?”
He came inside and set the other ones down and gave me a wink. I crossed my heart and mouthed, “Thank you.”
“Rose, she was so excited. Then she looked at the name tags and said we better get these over here and fast.”
Rose smiled then ripped into the first one she pulled off his stack. Alex came over and sat next to me on the sofa. He leaned in to whisper something. “Good save.”
“Better when you have a willing participant. Thank you so much. I hope I didn’t interfere with anything you were doing.”
“Nah. June waits until nine to wake up now that she’s older. I was having coffee. The hazards of going to work so early. When you don’t have to, you still wake up.”
“I hear ya.” I oohed and ahhed as Rose pulled out a new doll.
“So do you have plans for later?”
I looked at him, confused. “Later?”
“Yeah, is anyone having you over for dinner? Would you like to join me if you’re free?”
“And Sasha and June?” I wanted to make sure Sasha was still in the picture. I needed to have some long shot work out for someone. I couldn’t have misery all to myself.
“She’s leaving at noon. Sasha, that is.”
“Leaving?”
He rubbed his pants legs. “Turns out she had a callback. Her agent called last night and told her the good news.”
I rubbed his back. “Oh, Alex. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s fine. Hey, it happens.”
“Yeah, but I know you were hoping this was the beginning of something more.”
“At least it didn’t drag out. You know, like get that kitchen plaque you said should be in my house, the one with her name on it. At least I didn’t give up my navy towels for pink ones. Maybe deep down I knew it wouldn’t last.”
I shook my head. “I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, well.” He stood. “I’ve got to get back over to my house.” He walked over and mussed Rose’s bedhead. “I’m glad the mystery of your gifts was solved.”
“Me, too!” She looked up and smiled.
I walked him to the door. “Aunt Heidi has us over every year. Would you and June like to come?”
Falling For Sarah (Sarah Series Book 3) Page 22