Part 14 (1/2)
”I don't think I want to hear the rest of that story.” That was a picture she
definitely did not want in her mental photo alb.u.m. ”Thanks anyway, Darren.”
He laughed. ”Sarah, this guy isn't William Darcy.”
”I know.”
”So what's holding you back?” Darren paused. ”Are you afraid?”
”I think so.” Sarah let the shade fall down and crawled back into bed. ”He is
different from William, Darren, and I think that's what I'm afraid of. That he won't leave me.”
”Why is that a problem?”
She related all that had happened at the mall and how she'd felt. How watching women flirt with Alex day after day might wear her down. That even though he might not leave her, she might have to leave him because she couldn't face comparing herself to all those women.
”Do you think he's comparing you, Sarah?”
”That's the thing.” Sarah twirled the phone cord. ”He says no, and I believe him. He says he thinks I'm beautiful.”
”But you don't think so.”
Sarah gave a flat reply. ”Rivka is beautiful. The redhead at the mall is
beautiful. The hostess at The Foxfire is beautiful.”
”And so are you.” She could just imagine his expression. ”Sarah, honey, you may not be RuPaul, but you've got all the right pieces in all the right places.”
”Thanks, I think.”
”It's not the color of your eyes or what's in your bra that made him fall for you. It's what's inside you, honey. And if you don't love what's in your own self, how can you love what's in anybody else's?”
”How do I know if I love him or not?” Sarah waited for an answer.
Darren snorted. ”What am I, your fairy G.o.dfather? You just know.”
She sighed. ”I really ought to start paying you more.”
”Overtime, honey,” Darren said. ”Overtime.”
CHAPTER 7.
”What am I going to do?” Rivka shrieked so loudly Sarah had to hold the phone away from her ear. ”Everything's snowed in! My paintings are stuck someplace in Pittsburgh, Sarah, and the opening's in three weeks!”
”Calm down.” Sarah tried to be as soothing as she could with Alex's tongue tracing erotic designs on her stomach. ”We still have time.”
”Time!” Rivka was really rolling now. ”This d.a.m.n snow will be here until Memorial Day!”
Sarah stopped Alex's fingers just before they unb.u.t.toned the last b.u.t.ton of her blouse. It was difficult enough to think of ways to calm her frantic sister without him distracting her. Alex grinned as if he knew what she was thinking and mouthed, ”Get off the phone.”
”Sarah, are you listening to me?” Rivka let out a wail. ”This is a disaster!”
”Oh, Rivka.” It was hard to be concerned about Rivka's histrionics when Sarah herself felt so darned great. Having Alex come over on his cross-country skis had seemed like a crazy idea when he'd mentioned it before; now she was happy he'd been crazy enough to do it. ”The price of k.u.mquats, now that's a disaster. This snow is just a glitch.”
Even Alex could hear Rivka's response. Wincing, Sarah held the phone away from her ear. Alex laughed.
”Who's that with you?” Rivka paused. ”Sarah?”
”We've been caught,” Sarah whispered, punching him lightly. Then, to Rivka, ”It's Alex.”
For once, Sarah was glad to hear she'd shocked her sister into silence. Alex began his quest to reach her underwear again. She pushed his hand away firmly. Alex didn't seem deterred.
”Alex Caine?”
”Yes.” Sarah giggled as the man-in-question's lips found a particularly ticklish
spot. ”The one and only.”
”He's at your house.”
”Yes, he's here to talk about ... the menu for the gallery opening.” Sarah knew
her sister wouldn't settle for that answer.
”How did he get there? There must be four feet of snow outside! Everything's shut down!”
”He ... skied.” Sarah struggled not to laugh, though Alex had continued his