Sara couldn’t stand it any longer and got up. She made some Pop-Tarts, grabbed a Diet Coke, and settled on the settee. That didn’t help much since it reminded her of the night last week when she cuddled with Bren.
Shit!
She retrieved her cell phone from her room and called Liv. She simply had to talk to someone.
Grace answered the phone. “Hey, Sara.” She had obviously been sleeping.
“Hey. Can I talk to Liv? It’s important.”
“Sure.” Grace sounded very awake now, and Sara heard her rousing Liv. A few seconds went by, and Liv was there.
“What’s wrong?”
“I need my bestie. It’s been a rough night.”
“Want me to come over?”
Sara hesitated. Grace was with Liv, and she didn’t like the idea of interfering with their time together. “I—”
“Give me fifteen minutes,” Liv said and disconnected the call.
Sara put the phone down and leaned her head back against the settee. She was damn lucky to have such good friends.
Ten minutes later, Liv was in the living room with her. They were seated on the floor in front of the couch, as they’d done many times over the years. Liv looked exhausted, and Sara felt extra guilty.
“You didn’t have to come over,” Sara said.
“Yes, I did. I heard it in your voice. Now, tell me what’s going on.”
And Sara did. Every dirty little detail. To Liv’s credit, she was quiet during Sara’s story, though Sara saw the storm brewing behind her expressive eyes. She finished with the trouble she’d had sleeping and tossed the conversation firmly into Liv’s lap.
“I can’t believe you went out with Angel and didn’t tell me. Twice.”
“This is what you’re taking away from what I said?”
“Partly, yes. I mean, Angel? Seriously? What the hell were you thinking?”
“I was thinking about my job at first. She has a lot of pull. And her cousin is my new boss, at least for now. But that doesn’t matter. I went with her willingly. I just didn’t think it’d get this bad. I mean, I didn’t see either time as a date, but I guess she did.”
“And she got pissed about you sort of going out with Bren?”
“Yeah. It’s not any of her business, but for whatever reason, she decided she can control me. I mean, she really wants to go out with me. Liv, I can’t handle her. I thought if I went to dinner a couple of times she’d back off, but it’s just the opposite. I’m worried she’ll cause trouble for me at work, or trouble with Bren.”
“Want me to talk to her?”
“God no. I think that’d just make things worse.” Sara took a bite of her Pop-Tart while she watched the emotions pass over Liv’s face. She loved her dearly, but she had a bad feeling Liv was going to do something they both might regret. “Promise me you won’t talk to her. I mean it, Liv.”
Liv hesitated. “Fine. But if she comes near you again, I won’t be responsible for my actions. She has no right to do this to you. You might have been hurt or killed on that highway. It’s so damn dark a car could have plowed into you or you could have been kidnapped or—”
“Trust me. I’ve been through all the ‘ors’ in this scenario.”
“But you called Terry first?”
She hated it when Liv changed gears like this. “Yes. I called Terry first.”
“What do you think that means?”
“Am I a shrink now? I have no idea. It means I called Terry first.”
“It means, when you needed someone most, you called your ex-girlfriend before you called your best friend, who happens to live about as far away as Terry does from where you were. Don’t you think that’s significant?”
“Maybe. I mean, I was sort of thinking about her.”
“Oh?” Liv perked up with that bit of info. “Tell me.”
Sara sighed dramatically. “I saw her at Starbucks, and she asked to see me. Says she wants to tell me why she dumped me. I told her it didn’t matter, which is nuts because I need to know. I want closure.”
“So call her and tell her otherwise.”
“I did call her, remember? She came to my rescue. When we got to my house, I promised to text her a time when we could meet up.”
“Did you?”
Sara shook her head. “Not yet. This thing with Angel has me rattled. Why didn’t I call Bren? She’d been texting me, so I knew she was still awake.”
“Bren lives an hour away. Terry was twenty minutes, max. It wouldn’t have made sense to call Bren.”
“I chose to call Terry instead of you or Bren. How will that feel to Bren? I’m already worried I’m hurting her. It’s a big fucking mess.”
“No, it’s not.” Liv put her arm around Sara and hugged her close. “Talk to Bren. She’ll understand. Let her decide if it’s hurting her too much to keep seeing you. She’s a big girl, and I’m betting she knows what she can and can’t handle. As for Terry…” She paused until Sara looked up at her. “Meet up with her. Get it over with.”
“Okay. Why did you and I break up?”
Liv laughed softly and kissed Sara’s forehead. “We work better as friends. That’s all. And it’s good, too, because I think we both need a solid friend in our lives.”
“Sadly, I agree with you. Do you think I’ll ever find someone like you have? Someone who makes me smile the way Gracie makes you smile?”
“I hope so,” Liv whispered. “I really hope so.”
“Want a Pop-Tart? I’ve got another box.”
Liv helped Sara to her feet and gave her another hug. “I love you, weirdo.”
“I love you, too. Let’s eat.”
Chapter Seven
Liv got home with just enough time to shower and change for work. She hated working on the weekend, but the mine owner she was meeting was only available today. If it weren’t for the promised sale of three new pieces of equipment, running in the six-figure price range, Liv would have told him no. Weekends were usually off limits for work. But she was a businesswoman, and sometimes it sucked. Like now when she’d much rather be going to bed.
She found Grace in the kitchen, holding a cup of coffee and staring out the window over the sink. Liv stood behind her, unable to see whatever Grace found so interesting.
“How’s Sara?” Grace asked, not moving or looking at Liv.
“Better.” Liv slid her arms around Grace and rested her chin on Grace’s shoulder. “Want to tell me why you’re staring out the window with a cold cup of coffee in your hand?”
“I was just thinking.” Grace poured the contents into the sink and set the cup on the counter.
“About?”
“It’s not important.” She finally moved so she and Liv were facing each other. Grace rested her hands on Liv’s hips. “Tell me what happened to Sara.”
“Angel happened.”
“Angel? Angel Harrison?”
“Yep.”
“I thought you got her to leave Sara alone?”
Liv shrugged. “I did, but then Sara agreed to go out with her again. Twice.”
Grace grew very quiet and moved away from Liv to pace the length of the kitchen. “Oh God. What did she do? Did she threaten Sara? Did you call the police? Is Sara okay?”
“Whoa, calm down.” Liv tried to stop her movements, but Grace pushed past her. Her face was pale, and her hands shook. “Gracie, please. Sara’s fine. I promise.”
“She can’t be fine, Olivia. That woman hit her, or don’t you remember?”
“Of course I remember. But she made some veiled threats about her accounts with the bank and how it’d look if she moved them away because of Sara. I guess Sara was a little worried she’d cause trouble and went out with her. The date went fine, she went home, and everything was good.”
“It’s clearly not good if she called you in the middle of the night to come to her house.” Grace’s voice rose with each word. “What the hell happened, Olivi
a?”
“Angel got her to agree to a second date. Sara thought it’d be okay—they got along fine the last time. Except Angel wanted more. Acted like Sara should break up with Bren and just go out with her. Apparently, Angel didn’t get the memo they weren’t on a romantic date.” Liv shook her head, still not able to wrap her brain around most of this weird situation. “When Sara told her, in no uncertain terms, she has no romantic interest in her, Angel dumped her out on Highway 1 sometime last night—well this morning. I guess she was too far out to walk home, so she called Terry to come get her.”
“That woman dumped her out of her car, in the dark, on the highway? How far out was she?”
“About thirty kilometers or so, I guess. I’m not entirely sure, but Terry was there in about twenty minutes to get her. Sara was shaken over it, but not hurt. Angel never touched her.”
“She doesn’t have to,” Grace said, now stopping in front of Liv. Her eyes relayed a mix of anger and fear, and Liv’s stomach clenched. “You don’t have to touch someone to be abusive. Just the suggestion is enough. Her body language, her words. She left her in an isolated area where anything could have happened to her.”
“I know.” Liv tried desperately to keep her voice calm. “And I want to go right now and kick her fucking ass over it, but I promised Sara I wouldn’t. I promised her I wouldn’t even speak to Angel.”
“Did she call the police?”
Liv saw that neither Grace’s anger nor the fear had dissipated. “No. And she won’t. She says it’s not that big of a deal, and I have to let her make that decision. I don’t like it, but it’s her choice to make.”
“Bullshit. Call her right now and tell her to make a report. Even if nothing happens and there are no charges, there needs to be a report on file. Believe me, she will do something like this again. People like her don’t stop, Olivia. Sara’s my friend, and I’m not going to let her get hurt.” Grace stomped out of the kitchen, Liv hot on her heels. She was just in time to shut the door after Grace opened it.
“Where are you going?” Liv asked, even though she knew the answer.
“To speak to Angel. You might have promised Sara, but I didn’t.”
“And what’ll that prove? Are you going to talk her out of seeing Sara again?” Liv stopped fighting the urge to be gentle and let her own anger flare. “I did that, and it clearly didn’t work. And I threatened violence, Gracie. You won’t—can’t do that. What makes you think you’ll get to her?”
“Because I know her. Better than any of you ever will.” Grace had tears in her eyes and angrily swiped them away as they fell along her cheeks.
Liv flinched at her words, knowing full well she was speaking about her ex-wife, Carly. Images that sometimes haunted Liv’s thoughts came to the surface. Grace’s twin brother, Matthew, once described the injuries Grace suffered under Carly’s abuse. How she was in a coma for days after being hit in the head with a baseball bat. Liv’s gaze went to the scar on Grace’s forehead, now faded a little, but prominent enough to remind Liv of what she’d gone through.
She got between Grace and the door and gently pulled her into a loving embrace. Liv didn’t speak, just waited for Grace to relax against her. Then the sobs started, and Liv held her through them, whispering words of comfort to the woman she loved most in the world. If anyone deserved receiving retribution, it was Carly. Prison simply wasn’t enough punishment. Not to Liv.
Once the sobs faded, Grace met Liv’s gaze. Her eyes were bloodshot from crying but no longer held the fear or anger in them. Liv kissed her lips softly and swiped away the remaining tears with her thumb. “I love you,” she said, holding Grace’s eyes with her own, searching them to see the love she knew was there. Hoping her eyes relayed the message in her heart.
Grace gave her a tremulous smile. “I love you, too.”
“We’re calling in sick today,” Liv said, kissing her again. “I think we both deserve a day off…play a bit of hooky.”
“I just started my job at Rock World, dear. It might only be part time for now, but I’m sure calling in sick isn’t a great idea. Much as I’d love to do it. Plus you have a client to meet.”
“I’ll call for you. Tell them you woke up sick and need a day to rest.” Liv got the cell phone out of her pocket and punched in the numbers. “You’re in no shape to be climbing walls and stuff. Not today. And I can call David to meet the client. I’m sure he can handle it. Trust me.”
“I do trust you, Olivia.” Grace cradled Liv’s face in her hands. “I’ll always trust you.”
“That’s the most wonderful thing I’ve ever heard,” Liv said and called them both in sick for the day, arranging for David to handle their client. Once finished, she tenderly escorted Grace to their room where they settled onto the bed. Grace was asleep in minutes, curled on her side with Liv’s arm firmly holding her close. Liv glanced up at the ceiling and sighed. She wondered if there would ever come a time when Carly wouldn’t haunt Grace anymore.
****
Bren, as always, was ten minutes early for their date. She wore faded jeans with rips along the thighs and a bright-blue T-shirt that hugged her girly figure. The famous blue hair was shorter, with little spikes in the front. Such a refreshing sight after the disaster with Angel the night before.
Sara sighed. Could this woman be any more adorable?
“Heya,” Bren called out as she walked up to Sara’s door. “You look amazing.”
“Do I?” Sara wanted to comment how she wasn’t wearing anything special, but neither was Bren. She glanced down at her black jeans, matching boots, and white polo shirt. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Are you ready to dance the night away?”
“I am, but can we talk for a bit first?”
“Of course.” Bren’s expression changed slightly, the fun no longer there.
“It’s nothing bad, I promise.” Sara led her to the settee and sat beside her, holding her hand. “Something happened last night that I wanted to tell you about. I don’t want you hearing about it from the lesbian rumor mill.”
“Did you get back together with Terry?”
Sara gave her a smile, but it didn’t do much to change the sadness in Bren’s eyes. “No. I went to dinner with a woman who I work with, and she got pissed off when I told her I wasn’t interested in dating her. She dumped me out of her car on Highway 1 last night.”
“What the hell? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Sara said. “I was pretty upset when it happened and luckily had my cell phone with me. I called someone to come get me, which she did, and got me safely home.”
“Terry.”
“Yes.” Sara looked away from Bren, afraid to see if she was hurt by this or not. “She lives on Highway 1, just outside the city so I knew she’d be close.”
“It makes sense. I couldn’t have gotten there for at least an hour or more. Are you sure you’re okay?”
Sara met her worried gaze and nodded. “I—I’m sorry I didn’t call you. I consider you a friend.”
“But you still have feelings for Terry. I get that.” She kissed the back of Sara’s hand. “And here you are, still willing to give me a chance. Are you sure about this? About going out with me?”
“Honestly? No. I’m not sure about anything, except that I don’t want to go out with Angel—the one who dumped me on the roadside. Yeah, I still have feelings for Terry. I don’t think that will change anytime soon. Though we are supposed to get together next week. She wants to tell me why she broke up with me.”
“Do you want to hear it?”
“I do. I want closure. I need it to move on.”
Bren was quiet for a moment. “When you decide to move on, do you think I’ll have a chance?”
“I think you have the best chance of anyone I know.” Sara kissed her on the cheek. “But right now, I need for us to be friends more than anything. I want someone I can go out with, have a good time with, and not feel any pressur
e from. Can you be that person?”
“I want that more than anything.” Bren held Sara’s face in her hands and drew her closer. “I have strong feelings for you, Sara. I’ll do whatever it takes to be with you. Even if it’s just as friends.” She placed a soft kiss on Sara’s lips, and the gentleness nearly made Sara cry.
“You’re a special woman. Don’t let anyone ever tell you different.”
Bren shrugged. “I’ll take it. So, dancing?”
“Hell, yes. I have stress to get rid of.”
Bren stood and pulled Sara with her. “Friend dating then?”
Sara laughed. “Friend dating.”
“Cool.”
****
Terry stood at the back door and watched Felicia and Elmo run around in the snow. They’d gone from snow angels to a very lopsided snowman, and now Felicia was tossing snowballs and Elmo was trying desperately to bring them back. He’d bite the snow and come up with a face full of fluff, his expression hilarious. Felicia giggled, and the sound warmed Terry’s heart.
She wished Ann were there to see it. Or Sara. She glanced at her phone and checked the text message she’d gotten from Sara. They’d be meeting Monday after work, around five, at Terry’s office. At least a dozen times since she got the text, Terry thought over what she’d say to Sara. How she’d explain things so they made sense. Except they didn’t, because, as always, her mother was right. She should have been upfront with Sara and worked it out together.
But her impetuous side won out, and she made the biggest mistake of her life. Was it even possible for her and Sara to be friends again? Did she dare hope for anything more? Terry pressed her forehead against the cold glass of the window and sighed, creating a mist on the smooth surface.
She heard Shirley come in the front door and waited for her to join her in the kitchen. Her mom left early that morning on an emergency call, and it was now past dinnertime. When Terry saw her, she looked exhausted and her skin was unusually pale.
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