“Oh stop being dramatic,” Jamie groaned. “I’m right here.”
Sarah laughed. “No, I mean Brian.”
“Brian? Not Brian Waite!” Jamie sat straight up in reaction to the mention of their co-worker’s name.
“Yeah. We grew really close while you were gone. He wanted more than I was ready or willing to give...and now he’s not speaking to me.”
“How exactly did this come about?” Jamie queried, shocked that so much change could occur in such a short period of time in this quaint little town.
Sarah tried to explain the intricacies of her relationship with Brian. Throughout the telling of the night she spent at the old mill, and their trip to Myrtle Beach, Jamie sat and listened in wonder. “I just don’t know what to do anymore,” Sarah complained. “I always knew what direction my life was taking. I always have a plan. I just feel lost right now.”
“Are you sure that’s not just the margaritas talking?” Jamie asked seriously.
Now Sarah remembered why it was Brian had quickly become her best friend. At least they could have deep meaningful conversations. Jamie was fun, but talking to her did not necessarily guarantee the female perspective or a shoulder to cry on. She would have to make up with Brian, but how?
When she reached her office door the next morning, she found a plastic grocery bag tied to the handle. She took it off and set it on the desk while she organized her materials. At last she settled in and opened the bag. Inside was a highly polished apple with a card. With a slight frown, she opened the envelope and glanced at the signature. It was from Evan.
Sarah sighed. The card itself was actually quite nice. It was one of those blank cards with only a generic picture on the front. Inside he had written an apology. He claimed to have been carried away the previous day and expressed a hope that they could start over, since he had made a terrible first impression. She leaned back in the chair and looked out the window, wishing she could see Brian waving back at her.
There was a light knock on the door. Without waiting for her to respond, Evan had walked shyly over to her desk. This was a change from the brazen young man he had been only the day before. Her eyebrows rose. “I see you found my apology,” he said sheepishly. She nodded. “So, um, do you accept?”
With some reservation, Sarah said quietly, “Yes.”
He smiled. Only this time he seemed sincere. “Then allow me to introduce myself.” He stretched out his hand. “I’m Evan Winters. I frequently get carried away when I am passionate about something, and I am known for making a fool of myself, especially in front of women.” They shook hands. Then he raised his hand as though to swear on a Bible. “I will try to be better behaved,” he said, looking straight ahead. Then his eyes met hers. “I promise.”
She smiled widely. “Good. Now get out of here so I can get some work done.”
He paused. “Actually, about that...” Sarah waited. “The library is too far away, and there is nowhere to study in this building.” She sat back, imagining where this was going, but uncertain as to how she would respond. He sighed and dropped his shoulders in defeat. “Can I please just work in here?”
Glancing at her watch, and the pile of papers on her desk she sighed. “You have half an hour,” she said seriously, though she felt like a smile might be trying to sneak out at the side of her lips.
Evan saw it. Inside he glowed. He’d never had a Mrs. Robinson. This could be interesting. He pulled a book out of his bag, leaned back in the chair, and began reading for his class feeling smug.
The day passed quickly enough. Again, Brian’s directions left little need for interpretation. The students were well mannered, especially Evan. They gladly left when she finished the lesson early and rushed off to do whatever it was they would rather be doing. Again Evan lingered behind.
“I’ll drop Professor Waite a note on your behalf. Come to class a little early, or better yet, go to his office before class to get his approval to register properly,” she suggested.
“Thank you, Professor White,” he said with a smile, and shook her hand. “I’m sorry I won’t have an excuse to get to know you better,” he added.
“Yeah, you were really beginning to grow on me,” she said sarcastically.
He shook his head. “And just when I thought I was starting to win you over.”
Sarah ignored the comment, and concentrated on organizing the materials for Brian. When she looked up again, Evan was gone and she suffered a pang of regret. Maybe she should have been nicer to him. On the other hand, that might just have encouraged him.
She didn’t have time to trouble herself with that at the moment. During lunch she had called Mr. Waite to find out what time Brian had left and get an estimated time of arrival. Sarah was not going to wait for him to forgive her. She didn’t have time for him to come around and see things from her point of view. She needed desperately for him to be her friend, and she was going to be there waiting for him to arrive tonight.
Josh had reluctantly agreed to stay home with Chloe. It was his night off, so it wasn’t as though it interfered with his work schedule. For him it was simply a matter of inconvenience. He would rather be out with Tessa, or in under the covers with Tessa. She wasn’t sure which. Regardless, she had a plan.
With Mr. Waite’s assistance, she had contacted Brian’s landlord so that he could let her into Brian’s apartment. She would be meeting the man...she glanced at her watch, nuts, in twenty minutes. Sarah was going to cook for Brian, clean, and do whatever else it took to get his attention and forgiveness.
By seven Sarah had finished making dinner. She was folding the last load of laundry and had laid it neatly on his bed when Brian walked in and nearly frightened her to death. She jumped and inhaled sharply. “You scared me!”
He was scowling. “You’re scared? You should be. You’re also trespassing.”
“Not exactly,” she said quietly. “Your landlord let me in.” She looked at the floor nervously.
Brian slumped down in a chair at the table Sarah had so meticulously set. He glanced at the food she had prepared and the candles she was currently lighting. “What are you doing here?” He asked weakly, too tired to fight.
Sarah dropped to one knee in front of him and clasped her hands together. “I’m begging you, please be my friend again.” She looked sad, a little nervous, and very silly.
He sighed. “Get up.” She remained at his feet. He grabbed her hands. “Get up,” he said irritably, as he pulled her to a standing position.
Eyes watering slightly, and face turning pink, Sarah said quietly, “I put all of the papers from your class on the counter.” She pointed to the kitchen. “And I did all of your laundry so you wouldn’t have to when you came home. I thought you’d be tired. And,” she said pulling the lid off the serving dish on the table, “your father said this was your favorite.” The smell of Coq au Vin wafted to his nose. Sarah thought he might be melting. She stood there patiently, waiting for a reaction, some sort of response.
Suddenly, Brian looked overwhelmingly sad. His eyes watered, his face flushed, he put his head in his hands and leaned over. “Hey,” she said in surprise. She gathered him into her arms and hugged him, held him, rubbed his neck, and spoke soft words meant to soothe. After several minutes he stopped crying.
“I have wanted to call you so many times since I dropped you off at the airport,” he began quietly. “I missed you, Sarah. I wanted to apologize for my behavior. You don’t have anything to be sorry for. It’s all me.” He rubbed at his eyes and sniffled a bit. “Ugh,” he murmured. “I’m not usually like this. It’s just...”
“You’ve been through a lot lately,” Sarah crooned. “I understand. I just want us to be better again. Can we be?”
He nodded. Then he looked over at the table again. “You cooked enough to feed ten people,” he said. “Please tell me you’re staying.”
“As long as you want,” she said beaming.
A sly look crossed Brian’s face. “Really?”
After dinner, they sat in the living room and talked. Brian told her all about the funeral and how everyone kept asking about her. “And my father must really like you,” he said.
“Why is that?” Sarah queried.
Brian laughed. “He knows how private I am. He must really want us to mend our relationship if he’s willing to help you get in without a key.”
Sarah leaned back in Brian’s arms. They were quiet for a while. Neither one of them had been more relaxed in days. They had grown accustomed to being together, the sense of camaraderie, the lively discussions, and the closeness.
“I don’t want to be alone tonight,” Brian mumbled. “I don’t suppose you’d consider staying?” He had this hopeful look in his stormy eyes, yet he still obviously feared rejection.
Sarah looked up at him and studied his face. “I don’t have any clothes,” she complained.
“We can wash the ones you have on.” He pulled her close.
“Oh, that won’t be too obvious when I come in wearing the same outfit two days in a row.” She had a grumpy look on her face.
“No one will notice.” He was desperate.
“Ha!” She exclaimed. “Evan will.”
“Evan?” He was suddenly concerned. How much could change in two days?
“Oh, you’ll see tomorrow.” She rested her head on his shoulder once more.
He laid his head on hers. “So, it’s settled? Or do you have any more objections that I need to shoot down?”
Sarah shook her head. “I surrender.”
He gave her a hug. “Good. Then let’s get you out of these clothes.”
Within three hours they were in bed. They were tired, Brian from the ride, Sarah from the cleaning and teaching. And they were both emotionally drained. Brian was spooning Sarah. She had rolled immediately onto her side when she climbed into his bed and had pulled his arm around her. He didn’t need any convincing. He loved being wrapped around her, holding her close like his human teddy bear. Brian could get lost in the sweet scent of her hair, the silky smooth texture of her skin.
It was no wonder he loved her. He tried to remember the last time he had felt like this. Hm. Maybe never. Then he tried to remember the last time he’d known anyone like her. Again, he knew he never had. What was it about Sarah that he found so intoxicating? What made her so special? That was easy. She was beautiful and didn’t seem to know it. She was intelligent and smart. She had a great sense of humor. His list could have gone on and on, but Sarah interrupted him.
She had sighed, a sound of pure bliss, and asked, “What are you thinking about right now?”
He had pondered being honest with her for about three seconds, seen the danger in it, and said instead, “I was just relaxing, trying to wind down. I guess I wasn’t thinking anything.” He bit his lower lip.
Sarah rolled over, looked him in the eye, and said, “I don’t believe you.” It wasn’t an accusatory tone, just a simple statement of belief.
Brian smiled and laughed. “What are you thinking?” He asked; eager to change the subject.
“I know what you’re doing,” she said wisely, and shrugged. “I’ll play along.” The tone of her voice changed, becoming more playful. “Right now I’m thinking, ‘How can I be sharing a bed with such a bad liar?’” She giggled and rolled away as he playfully tickled her.
How could he ever be mad at her for long? Hell, he wasn’t mad at her to begin with. He was hurt. And he’d rather have this, these times together as friends than none at all.
Josh met her at her office the next morning wearing a scowl. “Here,” he said, shoving a canvas tote bag at her.
“What’s this?” She asked quizzically without peering inside.
“Clothes,” he said angrily. “I thought you might need some since you didn’t come home last night.”
Sarah’s eyebrows peaked in surprise. “Wow,” she began, “this is really thoughtful of you.”
“You don’t need to act so shocked.” He crossed his arms before him.
“Oh, it’s not an act.” She stopped, realized the sarcasm was a bit unnecessary, and said, “I’m sorry. I forgot how nice you could be.”
“That’s okay,” he said, turning to leave her office. “I’ll see you later, okay?”
She nodded and sat back in her seat. From her vantage point, she could tell that Brian was watching her. He quickly posted a message on the board. She read it and responded immediately.
“He brought me clothes!” She drew in a surprised face, and posted it in her window. There was a knock on her door. Far from shocked, she had actually anticipated his arrival. Evan was standing in her door.
“I waited until that guy left,” he said in explanation.
“Okay,” Sarah said. She knew he wanted to ask, and she refused to tell him anything that he didn’t.
“So, was he a student?” He bit on his lower lip while he waited for her answer.
“Nope,” she said watching him.
“A friend?” He took a step into her office and studied her.
“Used to be.” She crossed her arms over her body.
“I don’t suppose you’d just tell me so we can quit playing twenty questions?” He looked exasperated.
Sarah sat up and leaned on the desk. “I don’t suppose it occurred to you that it might be none of your business.” She stared him down.
“You’re right,” he said quietly. He took a moment to truly look at her. “Hey, you’re wearing the same clothes you had on yesterday.” Evan waited for her to comment, and the longer it took, the higher his eyebrows rose. “So, are you going to tell me?”
She sighed and let out a hollow laugh. “The man is my soon-to-be ex-husband.” She wasn’t about to comment on the clothes. He shrugged, sat across from her, but said nothing. “What?” She was thoroughly annoyed with him.
His eyes narrowed as he decided how to respond. “I don’t know. He just doesn’t seem like your type.”
Sarah grew more agitated. “Well, it just so happens he’s not. And what does that mean, my type?”
Evan leaned toward her. “You should be with someone who is educated, sophisticated, a great conversationalist, witty, and charming.”
Sarah rolled her eyes. “And wherever would I find such a catch?”
Evan smiled a slow smile that exposed his glistening white teeth. “Oh, I’m sure you’ll run into someone that fits that bill somewhere.” He stood up and left the office.
When she looked out the window, a new message was posted. “Who’s he?” She rolled her entire head this time and smacked herself on the forehead. Not again, she thought, grabbing at her board. “Evan Winters. He noticed.” And she stuck the board against the window for Brian to read. She watched him read the message. She looked down at her papers a moment, expecting to find a new message in his window when she glanced back, but instead he was gone.
“What?” She wondered aloud as she scanned Brian‘s office.
Brian came rushing through her door, a bit out of breath. Sarah smirked. “You know, if you plan on dashing over here very often, you may want to take up jogging.” She was trying to stifle a giggle.
“I found that method of discussion inadequate today,” he said, trying to pull himself together and return to his role as the consummate professional. “Now, Evan Winters. Why does that name sound familiar?”
Sarah leaned over her desk and smiled at him. “I’m going to guess it’s because I mentioned his name last night.”
“That’s right,” he said. There was a brief pause. “Now, why did you mention his name again?” Everything about last night was a little foggy, except for the part where he held Sarah all night long.
“Evan Winters is going to ask, nay, possibly even beg to be in your class.” She folded her hands on the desk as she smiled up at him.
“Huh,” he said leaning back and rubbing his chin. “So, should I let him?”
“You are asking me?” She leaned back and thought for a moment.
&n
bsp; Brian nodded earnestly. “Yes, I value your opinion.”
“Then, I guess. I’m sure he’ll work hard for you. He only messes with me.” She scowled a bit.
“Then maybe I shouldn’t let him in.” He frowned. He was fiercely protective of Sarah.
Her look softened. “No, let him. The sooner he graduates, the better.”
Sarah was just packing up for the day when Evan waltzed into her office. “Professor Waite told me I should thank you,” he said. She looked up. “So thank you, but why would he say that?”
She smiled. “He wasn’t sure if he wanted to let you in, but I told him to.”
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