Part 13 (2/2)

If she could tell William Darcy she loved him, what in the world had held her back from telling Alex? Fear? Probably. Definitely. Love had a funny way of showing up when you least expected it. She wasn't afraid he was going to turn out to be another William. Nor was she afraid Alex was merely filling her head with pretty words to get her into bed.

She was afraid that what had happened in the mall would always happen. How could she stand up to that? Constantly standing aside while beautiful women made pa.s.ses at Alex? Whether he responded or not, it didn't really matter. The sharks would keep circling as long as he was in the water.

She needed to talk to someone. It was well after midnight. Rivka would either be asleep or busy with Mick. The last thing Sarah wanted to do was interrupt either her sister's sleep ... or other activities.

Instead, she dialed Darren's number. The phone rang twice before someone answered. She didn't recognize the voice.

”Darren?” she ventured anyway.

”This is Lance,” the male voice on the line said. ”Who's this?”

She heard herself stutter. ”This ... this is Sarah.”

”Boss lady!” Lance had a deep, rumbling voice that reminded Sarah of a

freight train. ”Hang on, Sarah, and I'll get him for you.”

”Honey, what's wrong?” Darren asked.

”Nothing.” Sarah was suddenly embarra.s.sed. What was she thinking, calling

Darren so late? He had a life, too, one it sounded like she was interrupting.

”You don't call me at one a.m. to chat about the weather, honey. I know

there's a blizzard outside and all, but that ain't exactly something I couldn't figure out myself.”

”There's a blizzard?”

She had known it was snowing, but since she preferred sleeping in complete

darkness, she'd drawn the blinds when she'd gone to bed. Now she sprung

from beneath the covers and tugged up the window shade.

”That's what I said, honey. Me and Lance here were just lighting a fire and toasting some marshmallows.”

”At this time of night?” Sarah asked dubiously.

”Well, no one's going to work tomorrow, Sarah.” From the background came

Lance's deep, rumbling laugh. ”Weatherman said we're going to get four feet at least.”

There was something so magical about a snow-covered world. The flakes

were huge and soft, coating everything in a layer of white. She wished she could be sharing the snow and its magic with Alex, but they had agreed he wouldn't stay over on weeknights. Too many tired mornings could wreak havoc on both their careers.

”He told me he loved me.” Once the words shot from her mouth, it was too

late to take them back. Sarah slammed the pillow and groaned.

”He said he loved her!” Darren's shout nearly burst her eardrum, and Lance whooped in the background. ”Honey, I knew this guy was good for you!”

”I didn't say it back.”

”Oh.” Silence. Then, not to her, ”She didn't say it back.”

”Why not?” She heard Lance's fainter voice.

”You heard the man. I know, 'cause that voice carries, honey. Why didn't you

tell Mr. Gorgeous the same thing?”

”I don't know.” Sarah sighed and scrubbed her face.

”All you've done for the past two weeks is eat, sleep, and breathe that man. I

know, 'cause I've been up to my ears with all the things that keep slipping your mind. Not that I'm complaining, Sarah, 'cause you know I'd do anything for you. Just remember this when raise time comes around, that's all.”

”Have I been that bad?” Sarah wriggled in embarra.s.sment.

”Honey, I haven't seen anyone smile so much since the time my Aunt Nita spent the night with Lefty and Righty, the Samson twins.”

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