“Wow. Tell me more about yourself.”
“Like what?” Sara took a sip of her wine after the waiter filled her glass. The sweet rosé made her taste buds do a happy dance.
“Like how you know what wine to order.” Bren raised her glass to Sara. “This is amazing.”
“I know about the wine because I’ve been coming here for a couple of years now. My boss and I bring big clients here to keep their business or to convince them to bring in more business to the bank. I saw a client ordering wine one day, and she was so sure and confident about the flavor I have to say I was a little jealous. So I decided to study up on the subject so that the next time I impress the client instead of it being the other way around.”
“And did you? Impress, I mean?”
“I did, and it happened to be the same woman. Afterwards she agreed to give us all her business. She owns a car dealership. My old boss was impressed, but she was always nice like that.”
“You have a new boss now?”
“I do. He’s okay, but I’m expecting him to move on soon. I don’t think he’s the kind of person to stay in one place too long.”
Bren raised her glass in a toast, clinking it with Sara’s. “Here’s to you either getting a new boss or a promotion in the very near future.”
“Hear, hear.” Sara took a sip of wine and grinned. “You’re good for my ego.”
“I have a hard time believing you need help with that.”
“Oh, I do. My ego is very tiny. So tiny in fact you can’t see it. I hardly let it out and make sure to hide it from anyone I run into.”
“Too bad. I think you could use a good ego. You’re smart, beautiful, fun—why aren’t you married?” Bren said with a teasing note to her voice, but the comment saddened Sara a little.
If Terry hadn’t broken up with her, would she be well on her way to being married? They’d have an instant family with Felicia, and even if Sara had never met the kid, she had a feeling they’d get along well. Maybe if she’d told Terry how she felt they’d still be together.
“Earth to Sara.” Bren’s voice broke into her thoughts. “Did I say something wrong? You sort of zoned out just now.”
“No, you’re fine. I went through a bad breakup recently, and I guess I’m still thinking about her—it.”
“Breakups are never good, are they?”
“I had one that was sort of good. We were together two years, and we’re still best friends. But I think that’s a one-off. I don’t think it happens all that much.”
“Me either. But for the record, let me state that the woman who dumped you was a blind asshole. If she couldn’t see how awesome you are, then you’re better off without her.”
Bren took Sara’s hand into her own. She placed soft kisses on Sara’s fingers. “I mean it, Sara. I don’t know where the two of us might be heading, but I know your ex had no idea what she was letting go of.”
Sara fought to hold back her tears. “You’re very sweet. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” She kissed Sara’s fingers again and let her hand go.
Funny, but Sara didn’t miss the contact the way she would have with Terry. Dammit. Was everything Bren did going to remind her of Terry?
“What’s good to eat here? I don’t even know what half this stuff is.”
Sara, glad to have a distraction, pointed out a few dishes and made their order. Their easy banter returned, and Sara knew, without a doubt, no matter what happened between them, she’d found a new friend.
****
“You need to get out and meet people. You need new friends,” Shirley said as she put the clean dishes away. “It’s Saturday night. Go to that pub you like, or go dancing. Anything to get you out of this house.”
Terry leaned against the breakfast bar, hands stuffed in the pockets of her worn, comfy jeans. Her mother started the lecture not long after Terry got home from work, and apparently, she wasn’t finished.
“Mom, I don’t have time to go out and make friends. I tried that once and look how that turned out.”
“You were wrong to break up with Sara.”
“Didn’t we just go over this the other day? You’ve been telling me this for the last two months. I had to break up with her.”
“No, you didn’t.” Shirley spun around and the look in those blue eyes, eyes identical to Terry’s, gave her a chill. She was in for it. “You didn’t give her a chance to make up her own mind about how involved she may or may not want to be. How do you know she wouldn’t have had a better solution to offer? How do you know she didn’t love you enough to maybe cool her heels for a while and wait for you? Did it ever occur to you to ask her?”
“You know—”
“You didn’t think before you acted. God, you’re just like your father. Leap and hope the net is there. I’m here to tell you it’s not always going to be there. Sara was good for you, Terry. You know this as well as I do. You wanted to introduce her to Felicia. That alone tells me you loved Sara on some level and saw a possible future with her.”
“Yes, but—”
“I’m not finished.” Shirley put the last of the silverware in the drawer and took a seat at the table. Terry thought she looked more tired than usual and pale as well. “I don’t give a damn what that asshole William does or how long he takes to do it. I won’t let him take Felicia from you. I can promise you that. Whatever he thinks he has against you is bullshit. You’re a normal woman, going to work, coming home to spend time with your family, and on occasion enjoying a night out with friends—or girlfriend, as it once was. You’ve got to stop living your life in fear. William cannot hurt you or Felicia. You’ve got an amazing lawyer in Jackie, and I have confidence she’ll get it settled for you.”
Shirley stopped and took a sip of her cooled coffee. She made a face at what must have been a bitter taste.
Terry said, “I’m terrified of William. You know that, and I have good reason for it. He pushed Ann around her entire life, and there was damn little she could do to stop him. I don’t want him influencing Felicia in any way, but I know I can’t get out of him having contact with her. I’m terrified he’ll get her for a weekend, and I’ll never see her again.”
Tears welled in her eyes as pain spread across her chest. “I can’t lose her, Mom. She’s my daughter. She’s all I have left of Ann. If being a hermit and never making new friends—or a new girlfriend—helps me keep custody of her, then I’m doing just that. You know how close I am to moving to Vancouver? If I do, he says he’ll drop everything.”
“He said he’d do that if you broke up with Sara, and he went forward anyway.”
Terry wouldn’t look at her, her throat tight with emotion. “He told me to come to Vancouver after I broke up with her. He said it was the only other thing he wanted me to do, but I couldn’t. I can’t uproot Felicia and I can’t leave you, Mom. I need you.”
Shirley quieted as she played with her coffee mug for a few moments. She didn’t look up as she spoke. “Which is why I’m here, trying to help you, sweetie. You don’t have to move to Vancouver.” She took a sip of her coffee. “I didn’t see how I’d ever go on after your father died, and if for one minute I’d have thought someone could take you away from me, I’d have turned into a momma bear. I’d have ripped out the throat of anyone that came near you. Still would.”
“I believe you,” Terry said as she sniffled and wiped the tears away. “I can’t go after him like that or I would. I have to let the lawyers work it out for me, but every day that passes makes it that much harder. I miss Sara. I miss her friendship, and I miss having her to lean on. If I thought it was possible to get at least that much back, I’d be at her doorstep in a flash.”
“Why wouldn’t she do that? If you were such good friends, wouldn’t she be willing to talk to you? Let you lean on her now and again?”
“I hurt her, Mom. She barely makes eye contact when she sees me. The other day we literally almost bumped into each oth
er, and neither of us could form a full sentence because it was too damn awkward.”
“Then make it unawkward.”
“Is that even a word?”
Shirley met Terry’s gaze and gave her one of those all-knowing-mother looks. “Try again. And again, until it’s not awkward and you can actually talk to her. It might take a lot of work, but wouldn’t it be worth it in the end?”
Terry knew she was right, even if it was maddening how her mother always did that. Probably why she was so damn good at her job. “I’ll try to speak to her. Maybe I’ll see her on Monday when I go to the bank to deposit a couple of checks. I got an advance from Dresden, and I think Frank had something to do with it.”
“He’s a sweet man.” Shirley smiled shyly, and suddenly Terry needed to know more about Frank Trane.
“You guys went to school together, right?”
“Yep.” Shirley got up and put her cup in the dishwasher. “And that’s all you’re getting, nosey girl.”
“Wait a minute.” Terry did her best to sound indignant. “I just laid my heart out to you, and now you’re shutting me down?”
“There are things a child should never know about her parent.” Shirley winked at her and left the kitchen.
Terry had a sudden vision of Frank and Shirley, a very vivid one. She now regretted bringing the subject up.
****
Sara had a slight buzz from her wine and enjoyed the sensation of dancing with Bren. She moved against Sara like they’d been lovers for years. Her body, solid and warm, pressed along all the right places. The blue in her hair sparkled in the strobe lights. Sara molded her body to Bren’s and ran her fingers through her short hair. It was damp from sweat, and the look in her eyes shot tingles through Sara.
The music stopped, but they didn’t move. Bren wrapped her arms around Sara’s waist and pulled her a fraction closer. When their lips met, Sara knew exactly how much Bren enjoyed their dance. Bren left no doubt she wanted much, much more.
Sara took her hand and led her off the dance floor. She was tempted to get a fresh drink but worried she’d end up drunk again. The dancing wore her buzz down, and she looked at Bren with fresh eyes. Eyes that took in the view with a hunger she hadn’t felt in a long time.
Okay, two months, give or take, but it felt like forever. It probably accounted for why she ended up with Bren in the first place. Not that it mattered now. The adorable woman staring back at her should be the only one on her mind.
But she wasn’t. As always, Terry was right there. Ready to kiss her and make love to her in ways no other woman ever could.
“You’re doing it again,” Bren said. She leaned closer so Sara heard her over the new song playing.
“Doing what?”
“Thinking about your ex.”
“How the hell do you know that?”
Bren shrugged, but Sara knew it bothered her. “I’ve seen it before. You’re not the first woman who’s come to me after a breakup. I guess I’m the rebound girl.”
“That’s not what this is.” Sara tried very hard to convince herself she was telling the truth. “Why don’t we get out of here? Go back to my place for a while. I’ll drive. We can get your truck later.”
“Sure. Let me settle up our tab.” Bren kissed her on the cheek and paid for their drinks. She was quiet as they trekked to Sara’s car. “You good to drive?” she asked when they got there.
Sara nodded. “That wine wore off a bit ago. I’m good.”
“Good.”
Bren kept some distance between them as they drove, and Sara felt the chasm opening up. Was she using Bren as a rebound girlfriend? This was their first date, really, and she was messing it all up thinking about Terry. She simply had to fix this.
Sara put her hand on Bren’s knee and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I was with Terry for about five months. I thought we were perfect together. We talked about everything, went everywhere together. I really thought she was the one.”
Bren covered Sara’s hand with her own. “But she dumped you.”
“She did. Without any explanation. She simply said we can’t see each other anymore and walked out of my life. That’s damn hard to deal with, you know? I mean, where do I put all those feelings? How do I just forget her and move on?”
“I don’t think you forget her. But you do have to move on—unless you think there’s still some chance she’ll come back.”
Sara shook her head. “No chance. We’ve seen each other enough times since that she’s had ample opportunity to talk to me. She can’t even look me in the eye.”
“Coward.” Bren lifted Sara’s hand and placed soft kisses on the back of it. “I’m sorry she hurt you. You don’t deserve that.”
“No one does.” Sara cast a brief glance at Bren. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You won’t.”
“How do you know that? I’m not even sure I should be seeing you. Hell, we’re about ten years apart in age and—”
“It doesn’t matter. I like being with you, and I’ll take that for as long as I can get it.”
“It bothers me. I’m worried I’ll hurt you.” Sara pulled into her driveway, turned off the ignition, and twisted in her seat to face Bren. “You’re probably right. About being a rebound girl. But I don’t want it to be like that. I want to be with you, Bren. It’s just so damn hard.”
“And complicated.” Bren gave her a shy smile. “Like I said, I understand. I’ve been here before.” She leaned in and kissed Sara so sweetly it brought tears to Sara’s eyes. “Shall we go inside?”
“Sure.”
Sara unlocked the front door, and after taking off their coats and hanging them up, the two walked hand-in-hand to the living room. Bren went right to the fireplace and got a nice fire going before she joined Sara on the two-seater settee. Sara leaned her head on Bren’s shoulder and enjoyed the warmth of her and the fire.
“Did we have wild sex the last time we were together?” Sara asked. She felt Bren chuckle.
“We had sex, yes. I’m not sure I’d call it wild.”
“My clothes were in places they shouldn’t have been.”
“I think the word ‘playful’ would work better.” Bren ran her fingers through Sara’s hair and kissed her temple. “You were pretty drunk and frisky. I wasn’t sure if I should stay or not. I only knew I had to get you home. My friend Izzy drove your car here.”
“I wondered about that,” Sara mumbled. The rhythm of Bren’s fingers was making her sleepy.
“You did this funky striptease and shoved your clothes here and there like you were playing hide-and-seek.”
“Seriously?” Sara closed her eyes. Did she really want to hear all this?
“Oh, yeah. Once you were naked you decided I had to be naked, too. You’re very horny when you’re drunk. Did I mention that?”
“I’d never heard that,” Sara said, now mortified. “I’m not sure I’ve ever had drunk sex before you.”
“I’m happy to be your first. Does that mean I win a toaster?”
Sara slapped her playfully in the stomach. “I don’t remember it, so no. I think both parties are required to remember.”
“I’m sad you don’t remember. It was nice.” Bren’s hand brought Sara’s face closer to her. “It was very memorable.” Her lips met Sara’s in a fiery, passionate kiss.
Bren was very sexy in her blue bowtie and suit. Her body was lean and young and taut with muscles that Sara wanted to see. The problem was that Sara didn’t ache to see them. She didn’t ache to touch Bren in a way that made it more important than breathing.
Terry elicited those feelings with one look. When she touched her, Sara felt like her body was on fire and only Terry filled her needs.
Shit.
She pulled back from the sexy kissing and smiled sadly at Bren. “I can’t.”
“It’s okay,” Bren said, but the look in her eyes said otherwise. “Want to just sit here for a while?�
�
“Can we? I like you, Bren, but I need more time.”
“It’s fine. I promise.” Bren put her arms around Sara and held her snuggly as they sank into the softness of the couch.
“You’ll make someone a great wife someday. You know that?”
Bren placed a kiss on the top of Sara’s head. “I’ve heard of this phenomenon, yes.”
“It’s true. You’re a beautiful soul, Bren. I mean that.”
“Thanks. Let’s stop talking and enjoy the fire. Okay?”
Sara heard the hurt in Bren’s voice. She forced herself not to cry. She never wanted to hurt Bren, but if she couldn’t stop thinking of Terry that’s exactly what would happen. Maybe she needed closure. If she confronted her, would Terry at least tell her why she’d left her? Would it help Sara move on?
If nothing else, maybe it would help Sara stop thinking about her. It wasn’t fair to Bren, and it sure wasn’t fair to her. One way or the other, she had to speak to Terry.
Chapter Six
Terry glanced at her phone while in line at Starbucks. She had a full day ahead of her, starting with a video conference with the guys from Dresden. Frank said he’d meet her at the office, but only if she brought him coffee. He was very specific about the coffee he wanted; thus Terry was wasting time in line. Why the hell he had to have the cappuccino whatever was beyond her. It never tasted much like coffee.
She remembered the last time she’d been in Starbucks. It was with Sara, who also liked the cappuccino stuff. She got a kick out of the barista who made cute little swirls in the foam. The smallest, weirdest things made Sara smile. It didn’t hurt that the barista was adorable. Sara was a shameless flirt, and it was one of many things Terry enjoyed about her.
Try as she might, Sara was always on her mind. At every turn, every building in Whitehorse reminded her of Sara. Had they really been to every damn place in the city? Maybe her mother was right, even if that was a bitter pill to swallow. Maybe she should talk to Sara and try to repair their friendship.
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