Lucas sighed setting down his empty glass on the bar and waited for the bartender to give him a refill. He rubbed his brow and sipped the amber liquid but his headache lingered. Glancing to his right he saw he wasn’t alone. Another young man sat beside him also nursing a drink with a forlorn expression.
“Nick,” Lucas acknowledged.
“Hey, Luke.”
“Still having a hard time?”
“Yeah. Five years. I still haven’t been able to find her. My family keeps telling me to move on but…Damn, I just wish I’d gotten her name.”
Lucas nodded sipping his drink.
“But look who I’m talking to. Four years and you haven’t given up.”
“What do you mean? I’m not…”
“Oh come on, you can’t fool me. You’re still wearing your wedding ring.”
Lucas flinched glancing at his hand and the simple band he still wore. Sarah had left her wedding rings behind. It was her final statement and declaration that it was over but Lucas couldn’t accept it. If he removed his own band then it really was over.
Nicolas stood patting his shoulder saying, “It’s fine. Hey…Silas kept looking for ten years so we got plenty of time.”
Lucas grunted as the other left. Ten years…that’s right. Silas spent ten years searching for Ava never giving up on finding her despite his family pressuring him to marry someone else. Did he have what it took to keep looking for Sarah that long? Despite the odds Silas succeeded but would he? Did he even have the fortitude to try?
“Hey Luke.”
Lucas looked up to see James Goodwell. For a decade James reigned supreme as New York’s most unapologetic bachelor. He was a constant player always seeking his next bedmate and he didn’t care if she was married or not. At one point he even set his eyes on Macey DaLair. It had nearly been the end of James’s career with a raging Julius after him. The former still avoided events the latter was likely to attend.
Though James seldom claimed a conscience the incident waved him away from trying with Ava given Silas’s reputation. Lucas was quite certain his sister spent the occasional night with James and the two remained close enough to be considered friends though Lucas didn’t see how there could be any advantage in keeping James on good terms.
“I can’t believe it!” James exclaimed with a hearty chuckle. “Who knew she had it in her? Am I right? But maybe you knew all along.”
Lucas frowned. He wasn’t in the mood for James’s antics as he was already nursing a headache.
“I thought she was just a dumpy housewife. Who knew she had a body! Damn, I’m getting hard just thinking about it. But look who I’m talking to. You got to tell me…is she a freak in bed?”
“What are you talking about?” Lucas snapped.
“Your ex,” James said with a laugh. “Damn, she’s fine!”
Lucas leapt to his feet grabbing James by the collar, “What did you just say? When did you see her?”
“Jeez, okay,” James tried to shrug him off. “I just saw her.”
“Where!”
“Here. Where do you think?”
“Here?” Lucas repeated so startled he let the other go. “What do you mean here?”
“I mean here,” James straightened his suit. “She’s right over there talking to that lawyer chick.”
Lucas froze. He couldn’t have heard right. It wasn’t possible or…
Whirling away from the bar he pushed through the crowd. After years of searching it couldn’t be her. His eyes desperately scanned the crowd. It couldn’t be her. James had to be mistaken.
“Luke?” Alan tried to keep up but there was no stopping him. He had to know.
A ring of laughter brought him to a small but growing crowd. He made his way through and suddenly froze as his gaze finally found the object of his search.
She stood in the center of the group. Her plum-colored gown had an asymmetrical neckline that came off one shoulder. It hugged the swell of her breasts fitting her like a second skin as it followed the gentle curve of her hips before draping toward the floor. Rhinestones sparkled as she moved. Her hair had been crimped or else was naturally curly and tamed in a large alligator clip giving her a cascading style ponytail. Her makeup was subtle, sophisticated. Silver and amber earrings dangled from her ears and matched her choker.
She was…beautiful.
Sarah.
* * *
Sarah hesitated at the door to the venue staring into the room beyond at the well-dressed crowd as she nervously wrung her hands.
“Let’s go,” Ruth encouraged.
“Just give me a moment,” Sarah forced a breath willing her nerves to be quiet. Her heart still raced but she couldn’t put it off forever. This was it…the moment she dreaded most.
She nodded to Ruth and they entered together. Sarah moved slowly into the venue. It was a large ballroom and rather crowded but there was still plenty of room to move without constantly bumping into each other. She took her time acclimating. Ruth grabbed a champagne flute gesturing to her but Sarah shook her head. She wasn’t much of a drinker and she wanted a clear head.
Several people gave her looks, some even did double takes. It didn’t seem like many recognized her and a few seemed to be struggling to recall where they might have seen her before. She was beginning to wonder if anyone remembered her.
“Sarah? Oh my god Sarah!”
She turned and was immediately enveloped in a hug. Sarah froze slowly realizing who had her in such a warm embrace, “Hello Tracy.”
“Really?” Tracy stepped back with an incredulous look on her face. “You disappear for four years and all you have to say to me is Hello Tracy? You better do better than that!”
Sarah chuckled and started to relax. At least Tracy was the same as ever.
“How have you been? You look fantastic!”
“Thank you,” Sarah blushed. “I’ve been good. Busy.”
“I’ll say…And you’re a mother now. You have to tell me about the little one. What’s her name?”
“Zoe.”
“Oh! So cute! Did you bring her with you?”
“Not here, but yeah. She’s at the hotel.”
“I can’t wait to meet her!”
“Well what about you?” Sarah asked. “Ruth told me you got engaged.”
“Oh, yeah.” It was Tracy’s turn to blush as she looked down at the diamond engagement ring on her hand.
“So Thomas finally proposed,” Sarah said.
“Yeah, he did. I don’t know. I mean, I never saw myself getting married, you know?”
“You’ll be fine.”
“What if he gets weird and says I have to quit being a lawyer because it’s dangerous, or something?”
“He won’t do that,” Sarah rolled her eyes. “He’s a good guy and he loves you so just roll with it.”
“Oh…we’ve rolled all right.” Tracy sighed earning more laughter from the other two.
Sarah suddenly fell silent noticing the sparkling water Tracy was drinking, “Wait…are you?”
“Shh…don’t say it,” Tracy hushed her but it was already too late. Ruth’s eyes went wide as she caught on.
“Have you told anyone?” Sarah asked in a hushed voice.
“Just Ava.”
“But not Tom? You have to tell him!”
“I know. But I’m nervous. What if he doesn’t want it? We never discussed kids, you know?”
“He’ll be fine! Don’t worry so much,” Sarah laughed. “I thought you were a tough, New York City lawyer!”
Tracy joined her laughter despite being self-conscious. In fact she had been nervous enough to tell Ava. She really didn’t know how Thomas would react to the news.
“Anyway, I hope you’ll be in town for awhile. I’ve been trying to plan the wedding but I’m so out of my depth. I need help and I thought what you did was so sophisticated. So please help me!”
Sarah laughed, “All right. All right.”
“Thank you!” Tracy sighed immediately feeling more at ease. “Oh Ava! Look who I found!”
Sarah turned following Tracy’s gesture. Ava broke off her conversation with another at the sound of her name. Her mouth dropped and she hurried over to embrace Sarah before she could disappear like an apparition.
“Oh my god, Sarah! I’m so happy to see you! I’ve been so worried!”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“Oh don’t apologize.” Ava shook her head fighting back tears. “You did what you had to do. I’m just so glad you’re back! You have to tell me everything!”
Sarah chuckled at her eagerness. Ava was never one to hide her enthusiasm and was always interested in every aspect of her friends’ lives like a mother hen minding the flock. Given she had five children to wrangle it was probably an active skill set.
As always Ava looked sophisticated and elegant. This surprised some given her petite form. Another surprise for some was how well she kept her husband in line. Silas had made a name for himself for being ruthless and he was incredibly intimidating yet he was putty when it came to his wife who he shamelessly doted on.
There were some who took it as a sign to be afraid of Ava wondering how she could keep a man so devoted to her. Some thought it was blackmail or that she had to be ruthless under her demur persona. Sarah could only shake her head at such rumors wondering how anyone could be that silly. However, in the world of business, she supposed it was only natural for some people to misunderstand and misinterpret genuine kindness.
Studying Ava more closely Sarah said, “Ava, are you…you know?”
Ava suddenly blushed, “How did you know?”
“You always glow when you’re expecting,” Sarah laughed which was true. “But I thought you said you were done after Isaac…and Ben.”
“I was. We were but…” Ava sighed. “You know, things happen. And Silas really wants a girl.”
Sarah laughed imaging the ruthless business tyrant doting on a baby girl. He never had the chance with Lexi given she was already ten before they met though he treated her like a princess. Since their last two had been boys he had yet to hold a baby girl of his own though Julius allowed him to hold Lyra for a few minutes. Fatherhood rather suited him and he would absolutely spoil this baby, boy or girl, but especially a girl.
“But tell me about yours,” Ava said. “Ruth gives me updates but it’s not the same thing. I want to know everything! And I can’t wait to meet her!”
“Her name is Zoe…”
* * *
Lucas stood transfixed. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her memorizing every curve. How did he not notice before? From the very beginning when his grandmother announced his marriage and he learned who his bride was he considered her a frumpy teacher, unworthy and unable to adapt to the social world he inhabited. He insisted she not embarrass herself or him and that she should just disappear but he was wrong.
She was a star. The way she chatted amicably with Tracy Lamont, a high-class lawyer, and Avalynn Prescott like they were old friends was impressive. Few people would dare to even approach them but Sarah seemed to have no difficulty. But when did she even become acquainted with Ava?
Lucas wracked his brain trying to remember if he ever introduced them and came up with nothing. Whenever they attended events together they always arrived separately. Sarah waited for him outside the venue so they could enter together. She always wore a formless black dress bare of any jewelry save her wedding rings and sometimes a watch she claimed belonged to her grandmother.
After entering they would take a lap around together until Lucas found someone he wished to speak to. Then he’d send her away with instructions not to cause a scene. He never thought of her again, never checked to see how she fared and didn’t even know when she left as she always took a cab home.
God, he was such an asshole!
Lucas swallowed a bitter taste in his mouth as he gazed on her now. Four years he searched and now that she stood in front of him he didn’t know what to say. He didn’t dare intrude. She looked so happy. Her smile, her laughter, it was intoxicating. He couldn’t look away. He didn’t dare blink less it all evaporated like a mirage.
Suddenly his view was blocked by a familiar brunette silhouette. He had come alone but his sister received her own invitation and naturally brought Madeline. The pair tried to stick close to him at first but he merely shrugged them off. He had forgotten either was still around and now he watched in horror as Madeline strutted toward Sarah like a lioness who just found its prey.
“Well, look what the cat dragged in!” Madeline taunted loud enough to draw everyone’s attention.
Sarah turned at the sound of the voice her smile fading but she didn’t flinch and mentally congratulated herself for that fact alone. Of all the people she desperately wanted to avoid her ex-husband’s lover topped the list but she wouldn’t let herself be intimidated: not again, not anymore. She maintained what she hoped was a neutral expression as she coolly studied the other woman.
Madeline wore a revealing red gown with a v-line so deep it practically went to her naval. Unsurprisingly her neck was encrusted with a diamond and ruby necklace that seemed far too heavy for her slim neck. It somehow looked expensive and cheap at the same time.
“I just can’t believe it,” Madeline smirked. “I thought you knew better than to come crawling back here. You really can’t let go, huh? No one wants you around. Pathetic!”
“Who says?” a deep, baritone voice suddenly demanded as Silas made his way through the crowd wrapping a protective arm around Ava. “One wonders how a mere secretary has the audacity to speak out of turn. Or have you forgotten your place?”
Madeline blushed hesitating at his harsh words as murmurs circulated through the crowd.
“Si, it’s all right,” Sarah said giving him a grateful smile. “I can handle this.”
Silas nodded giving her the floor. Sarah looked again at her would-be rival. She could almost laugh at her old self for ever being intimidated in the first place.
“Frankly, I don’t know where you got your information, Maddie,” Sarah said knowing how much Madeline hated the nickname. “But I don’t crawl and unlike you I don’t have to pretend to be something I’m not. I was having a very pleasant time catching up with friends and I am quite certain none of us invited you to join. So who exactly is the unwanted one here?”
Madeline blushed as everyone watched her. No one came to her rescue as Sarah suddenly closed the distance between them with a grim smile and mischievous glint in her eyes. Madeline suddenly realized there was more than a small height difference between them with Sarah standing several inches taller.
“But let’s set the record straight for everyone. I don’t need anyone’s permission to be here. Unlike you, I don’t need anyone to hold me up. And, most importantly, you are no longer my problem.” Sarah held up her hand displaying to all she wore no wedding band and she wasn’t ashamed in the least. “Have fun while you can. He’ll get tired of you eventually. They all do. Because you are forgettable…like a tissue.”
Sarah chuckled at Madeline’s dumbfounded look before turning away and rejoining her group. Ruth was practically bursting with excitement. Tracy and Ava were better able to hold their exuberance but there was no denying the delighted sparkle in their eyes. Thomas chuckled and Silas bowed to her, acknowledging her superiority in handling the situation as well as trying to hide his own smile.
Sarah breathed deep. She already felt a bit lighter. In fact she felt fantastic! No doubt Rosemary was smiling too.