I Wanna Sext You Up

by Evie Claire

  The moment they were gone, Saam hung his head, intently toeing the porch where two boards came together. He shouldn’t give Liza’s words one more second of analysis.

  Not when they made his heart hammer in his chest. Saam had made his peace with Lorie. Despite the feelings involved, they weren’t good for each other. Saam knew it, so did she. For a hot minute, they’d forgotten themselves. It happened. It was time to move on.

  But why would Liza ask him something like that? Unless she’d asked Lorie, too.

  Chapter 33

  Lorie

  Liza: You’re going to think I’m crazy.

  Lorie: LOL. That’s nothing new . What’s up?

  Liza: I’m moving my wedding venue.

  Lorie: Okay. Is there time for that?

  Liza: No. But I’m doing it anyway.

  Lorie: Where?

  Liza: Camp Sunshine. Wanna grab coffee? I’ll explain.

  Lorie: Sure. I’ll call you later.

  Lorie sighed and slid her phone into her pocket. Camp Sunshine. Great. While Lorie welcomed the distraction that came from serving as Liza’s maid of honor, the mention of Camp Sunshine brought everything crashing back. Her weekends were exceptionally busy—wedding showers, dress fittings, a bachelorette party. It had been easy to avoid volunteering and possibly seeing Saam, since his refusal to respond to her text obviously meant that’s what he wanted. She would give him Camp Sunshine for the time being. He’d be gone soon. She rubbed at her temples and swallowed the knot in her throat.

  Silence spoke volumes.

  “Are you okay?” Quinn asked, nudging her with an elbow.

  “Yeah, maid of honor drama.”

  “You got a bridezilla on your hands?” Quinn turned into her, obviously hoping for some dirt.

  “No bridezillas, just a lot of indecision.” She lied because how could she tell him the truth—her jitters were over memories she never should have made with a doctor she certainly should’ve never bunked up with.

  “I’m sorry James and I are busy that weekend. I love weddings.”

  “It’s fine.” Lorie waved his apology away. “I need to put on my big girl panties and face my hometown anyway.”

  “Ugh, you and me both.” Quinn grimaced. “You first,” he finished, landing a teasing elbow in her side. “Did you want me to stick around?”

  Lorie cleared her throat, taking a quick inventory of the small ballroom that had been partitioned off for the luncheon and shook her head. Everything was in place—the tables set, the podium wired up, programs at each seat, small centerpieces on the tables, and a buffet full of pizza. Yep, she was ready for him. Professionally speaking. She nervously dragged a hand through her hair, triple-checking the space.

  “Did you do something different with your hair?” Quinn asked, leaning away to get a better look. Of course, he would notice. Quinn always did.

  “No. Just didn’t pull it back this morning.”

  “Damn, girl. That’s like a mini makeover.”

  “It gets in the way when I work.” She rummaged in her pocket for a hair tie. “I should probably put it up.”

  Quinn took her hand to stop her.

  “Leave it down, it looks nice.”

  Lorie fidgeted with a wisp near her face but slid the tie around her wrist.

  “There you are!” Victoria entered the room, beaming a bright smile, her sky-blue glasses arriving in the room several steps before the rest of her. “Are Kate and Allen here?”

  “No, they stayed in the lunch lecture session. We’ve got it under control.”

  “Pizza?” Victoria asked sniffing the air, her smile falling as she looked to the buffet. Okay, so maybe it was a weird choice. But knowing Saam like she did, she also knew how perfect it was.

  “Yeah, why are you serving pizza to our CEO again?” Quinn asked the question Victoria was obviously thinking.

  “Because this pizza”—Lorie thumbed toward the buffet—“happens to be Dr. Sherazi’s favorite. With him leaving, I thought it would be a nice send-off.”

  “It’s pretty brilliant, too.” Victoria nodded, leaning back to admire Lorie.

  “How so?” Quinn asked.

  “She’s being very fiscally responsible. The CEO will love that.” Victoria patted Lorie on the back. “And I’ve got some news you two are going to love,” she whispered.

  Quinn and Lorie leaned in.

  “It won’t be announced until this evening’s awards ceremony, so keep it to yourself, but you guys are going to Jamaica,” she whispered as loudly as she could.

  Quinn erupted in a fit of silent celebration, spinning around and taking Lorie with him. “Yes!” He fist-pumped and high-fived every hand he could find.

  It took several seconds for Lorie’s brain to accept what she said. She had discounted it as a possibility once the uncertainty of Lampalin’s future at the Children’s Hospital had become known.

  “And you”—Victoria took Lorie’s arm and pulled her closer so she could whisper quietly—“probably want to come stage ready to the awards ceremony tonight.”

  “Why?”

  “Durden and the Children’s Hospital finalized contract negotiations yesterday. Lorie, no one, not even Durden’s most seasoned rep, has yet to get Lampalin in the preferred spot on a hospital formulary. That’s very impressive. For a rookie. If you catch my drift.” Victoria tilted her head toward Lorie, lifting her brow to be sure Lorie knew to read between her lines.

  “You mean…”

  “I’m just saying.” Victoria shrugged with a knowing smile curling her lips. “Come stage ready.”

  Lorie’s mouth was still hanging open when the ballroom doors pushed open and a small crowd entered.

  Followed by even more people. The celebration stopped. She and Quinn got themselves under control. Victoria silently chuckled at their short-lived festivity and the horrible attempt to rein it in. But they had to. There were people in the group Lorie only recognized from company communications. High-ranking executives and the like.

  “Steve!” Victoria warmly welcomed her boss into the room. “Do you remember Lorie and Quinn? They’re two of my best.”

  “Of course, nice to see you again.” Steve shook hands and then sniffed the air. “Is that…pizza?”

  Lorie stepped forward to explain.

  “Yes, it is. Since we call on Dr. Sherazi we decided it would be fun to serve his favorite pizza at a ceremony meant to honor his achievements and mark his new partnership with Durden.” Lorie was full of professionalism as she explained the aroma of cheese and dough to a growing crowd of highly polished executives.

  “Well, that’s brilliant. I’m tired of hotel convention food.” Steve nodded his approval.

  “Should we go now?” Lorie asked Victoria, assuming they were supposed to make their exit now that things were getting started.

  “Wouldn’t you like to congratulate Dr. Sherazi first?”

  “Sure!” Quinn answered, pushing Lorie forward to follow Victoria before she could think of a reason not to. A group stood near the doors. Lorie could only guess it was Saam at its center, receiving all the attention he had earned.

  They stood just outside the group, behind Steve, who was also waiting to congratulate Saam. Lorie lifted onto her tiptoes, peering through the bodies, and saw him, her heart lurching sideways when she did. And as if she’d said his name aloud, he looked up from his conversation and found her staring at him. His smile dropped to his toes. Lorie fell instantly back to her heels. Shit. No, she didn’t need to congratulate him, but how was she going to get out of it now?

  She peeked through the crowd again, using Steve for cover. Only to get a quick glimpse of a stunning brunette standing at Saam’s side from her new angle. She was gorgeous. Exotic like Saam, with dark skin and silky hair spilling over her shoulders. She was polis
hed and perfect, smiling and way too familiar with Saam to be working with Durden. The way she leaned into him, her hair hiding her face as she whispered in his ear with a giggle. And then, like magic, she vanished into the crowd, only her hand lingering to squeeze Saam’s. The sight squeezed Lorie’s insides to mush.

  She stood frozen, staring at the spot where she’d vanished, her heart still lurching sideways and now punching at her throat, making it impossible to breathe. Who was the woman? One of Amal’s friends who was only too happy to be set up with “baby brother”? Probably.

  She wanted to vomit at the thought.

  “I’ll be right back,” she whispered to Quinn and ran for a side door.

  Bursting into the hotel hallway that connected an intricate maze of meeting rooms, she clutched her middle, forcing air into her lungs despite her body’s best protest. Resting a hand on a nearby wall for support, she leaned over, trying to restore blood flow to its rightful order.

  Her world was imploding. Had to be. Nothing could sustain such damage, could it?

  Briefly, right after Victoria had told her of their huge winnings, she had been on cloud nine. Standing in the hallway, clutching her stomach to keep her insides from spilling out, knowing Dr. Sherazi was there with another woman, she was cast into the fieriest pits of hell.

  She didn’t want to see it. But standing there staring at the abstract carpet print, it was all she could see. That woman. That gorgeous woman. Leaning in, whispering and smiling. Only to have Saam smile back. As if his reaction to seeing Lorie seconds before was already forgotten. It played over and over in her mind, further sickening her with each replay.

  Further convincing her just how wrong she’d been.

  Chapter 34

  Lorie

  “You look absolutely gorgeous. How did Jay get so lucky?” Lorie stepped back, smoothing the edges of Liza’s veil, smiling at her bestie with a bittersweet feeling tugging her heart.

  “I’m so sorry your parents didn’t come.” Liza poked out her bottom lip.

  “Me, too. I was hoping we could face the firing squad together.” Lorie shook her head. “They aren’t ready yet.”

  “I understand. But I’m really proud of you. I overheard old Miss Ravenel telling someone you looked happier now than you ever did in your pageants.”

  “You’re such a liar. Old Miss Ravenel isn’t physically capable of saying anything nice about anyone.” Lorie giggled about the town gossip. “But thanks for trying.”

  Liza tucked her head sheepishly, caught in her lie. “She did say you looked really good.” She hooked her pinkie through Lorie’s and winked at her to lighten the mood. “That’s the highest praise she gives. And you do look absolutely stunning.”

  Lorie peeked over Liza’s shoulder into a full-length mirror, wincing at the amount of hairspray holding her hair up and the four shades of eye shadow highlighting her lids. “This is so not my look anymore.”

  “My day, my way.” Liza reminded Lorie of what she’d said months ago. “You can do that androgynous chic thing you’re rocking lately at your wedding.”

  “My wedding,” Lorie scoffed and rolled her eyes at the prospect, lifting her arms to stave off any dampness darkening the purply-gray chiffon. “Let’s not hold our breath for that.”

  “What about Phebe and Brody? Were they able to make it?” Liza asked about her last-minute text invite. They’d gotten closer over the weeks of planning at Lorie’s place.

  Lorie nodded.

  “Will they get married?”

  Lorie shrugged.

  “Five minutes, girls.” Liza’s cousin poked her head into the camp-cabin bathroom where Liza and Lorie stood in front of two whirling fans trying to keep their makeup from melting off.

  Liza turned to Lorie, beaming with bride-to-be brightness that could overshadow a supernova.

  “Showtime?”

  “After you.” Lorie handed over Liza’s bouquet—a lush, loose collection of stems that trailed to her knees bursting with blush-colored roses, lilac peonies, bright magenta berries, ivory anemones, and minty succulents—all made from Camp Sunshine felt. Lorie picked up a coordinating nosegay and followed her through the bunk sleeping area where the other bridesmaids waited. Then onto the porch where Mr. Lawson paced back and forth, anxiously anticipating his daughter’s arrival.

  Smiles pulled across every face she passed. Ohhs and ahhs admiring Liza’s stunning bridal beauty. A few raised brows over the simplistic, chic elegance of her full-length gown. A few gasps when they saw the daring dip in back. Lorie only shook her head. Social Circle really needed to get with it.

  “Let me get that.” Lorie bent to maneuver the fine Chantilly lace onto the golf cart once Liza was seated, then took her place on the cart’s back bench.

  Slowly, the bridal party golf carts bounced their way through the woods to a lakeside gazebo, the breeze gentle but surprisingly warm for an October afternoon. Wafting off the ripples of Sugar Lake with a flawless caress that kept the bugs at bay and perspiration in check. Lorie held tightly to the golf cart canopy, focusing on the soft shade of pink Liza had insisted she paint her nails. Off to her right, the lake threatened to blind her with its pristine, gleaming waters dancing in between the trees.

  “Isn’t it gorgeous?” Liza squealed from the front seat.

  “Um-hum,” Lorie answered without looking.

  She had promised herself she wouldn’t think about what had happened in the waters of Sugar Lake months before. Not once would she dwell on the memory while attending her best friend’s wedding. Today was about Liza and Jay. Just because their wedding venue also happened to be the flash point of what was quickly becoming Lorie’s biggest regret to date, it didn’t mean she had to spend the day reminiscing over what might have been. Over what life might look like if she had been brave enough to admit to herself what she really wanted.

  “Remember—step, pause. Step, pause.” Liza whispered final instructions to her bridesmaids as they lined up for their entry through an archway dripping with the camp’s felt flower garlands. Nothing but a small hedge hid the bride from the seated guests. The first bridesmaid took a deep breath and stepped into the aisle.

  “You are a genius,” Lorie whispered, fingering the soft petals, amazed at the vision her friend possessed. “I never would have thought to make these wedding decorations.”

  “We’re selling them on a GoFundMe page afterward. Donating the profits to Camp Sunshine.”

  “A philanthropic genius,” Lorie whispered.

  “Go!” Liza whispered and waved Lorie forward before she missed her cue.

  Step. Pause. Step. Pause. Step. Pause.

  Lorie mentally kept her rhythm down the aisle, walking in time to a harpist playing the “Wedding March” in the shade of a nearby tree. The music lent a vibrancy to the air. An electric charge that you only felt when everything about a moment was absolutely perfect. And it was that. There was so much love in that tiny gazebo and in the crowd seated to watch that it was palpable. Everywhere Lorie turned, there was love. The flowers, the setting, the people. That was what made it so special.

  Of course, she felt the eyes on her. Heard all the awful things that had been said over the years. But while she had previously cared about all that, now she was able to tune it out. It didn’t matter what a few mean people thought. They weren’t the line by which she measured her life. She was making her own lines now.

  It wasn’t so hard. Not nearly as hard as Lorie had imagined it would be all those months ago. She could face her old life with a smile. She could admit her disappointments because she had grown from them. She had learned, and she had persevered.

  Next month, she left for Jamaica to celebrate her sales award as Durden Pharmaceuticals’ Rookie of the Year. Dream number one checked off. She should feel great. Which she did, until it also felt really hollow.

 
; And when she lingered over why her success felt so hollow, she fell out of her rhythm. Momentarily knocked off course. She paused when she should have stepped. And paused again. And before she knew it, like a horrifying slow-motion movie reel, the beautiful felt flowers slipped through her fingers. And then, finally remembering to step, she kicked them down the aisle.

  Her stage smile fell, along with her stomach. She was in the middle of the aisle. Liza would start her entrance any moment. What was she going to do? Stop, bend for the flowers, and possibly risk causing a scene that would distract from Liza’s grand entrance? Continue punting them down the aisle and hope no one noticed?

  Shit.

  Lorie tried to think on her feet. A million thoughts flying through her head, her gaze focused on the bouquet a few feet away.

  And then, as if God was truly granting miracles that day, an arm reached from the sea of chairs, grabbed the flowers, and held them out for her to collect.

  A hand she knew without needing to see the rest of him.

  Without missing a beat, Saam pressed the flowers back in her grasp as she whisked by. How she continued down the aisle, she didn’t know. Other than by the grace and miracles God was apparently granting that day.

  She stiffly marched to the altar. Took her place on Liza’s side, and turned back to the audience.

  What the literal hell had just happened?

  Her brain and stomach were MIA, but still, she kept the stage smile plastered on her face.

  The harpist was joined by a trumpeter.

  The crowd rose and turned in unison.

  Everyone craning to get a first glimpse at the bride. Liza entered. An audible sigh rose over the crowd.

  From the sea of people, a single body turned back to face front. Lorie didn’t have to avert her gaze from Liza and Mr. Lawson to know who it was. She could feel the eyes on her. She could feel his eyes on her. The only question was…

  Why are those eyes here?

  Chapter 35

  Lorie

  “Oh my gosh, what is he doing here?” Lorie grabbed Phebe’s arm the instant she found her at the reception, taking a champagne flute from her hand and downing it in one swig.