Heart Block (28 page)

“Wow. Kinda drastic. Bad day?” Sarah asked.

“Bingo.” She stirred her drink with the annoying shamrock swizzle stick. This wasn’t even an Irish bar, for God’s sake.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Emory exhaled, softening. “I didn’t, but now that I hear your voice, maybe. I don’t know.”

“Okay, I can work with that.” Sarah switched the phone from her left ear to her right so she could flip the pancakes she was making Grace for dinner. “Let’s try it out and see how it goes. Tell me what happened.”

“Today, I had to fire the two editors I told you about.”

“Right, I remember. Did they not take it well?”

“No, they took it fine, because I couldn’t do it.”

“What do you mean? You never got the chance to speak to them?”

“No, I got the chance, but the moment I was face-to-face with them, all I could think about was what
you
said about them having families to feed and kids to put through college, and I’m dead in the water. Next thing I know, I’m flashing on an eighteen-year-old kid flipping burgers instead of growing up to be president of the United States and I’m the reason.”

Sarah grinned broadly, still attempting to keep her voice entirely neutral. “So what will happen to them now?”

“I enrolled them in the new training with the rest of the Dallas editors, but I told Sheila to devote extra time to them. More one-on-one attention. I hate that I’m suddenly ineffective. This sucks.”

“You’re not ineffective, you’re sympathetic. You took steps to make them better at what they do. If it doesn’t work out, you can fire them later. Doesn’t that sound like fun?”

“I want to fire them now,” Emory answered.

“I get that and I’m sorry you’re upset. If you were here, I’d take all sorts of care of you.”

“I can’t hang out with you anymore. You’re warm and fuzzy and it’s rubbing off.”

Sarah could hear the slightest hint of teasing in Emory’s voice and took the opening.

“So I should make other plans for Friday night?”

“Don’t you dare.”

“All right, all right.” She chuckled. “I’ll pick you up at the airport at six thirty. There might be kissing. I can’t be sure.”

Emory sighed audibly into the phone. “Now I’m going to think about the kissing all night.”

“Good. Now sleep tight and try not to be too mad at me.”

“S’okay. I still like you.”

“Wait, before you go, someone would like to say hello.”

“Emory, it’s Grace! What’s Texas like? Seen any horses?”

Emory sat up a little straighter at the sound of the exuberant young voice. “Hiya, kiddo! Dallas is hot. Negative on the horses. Lots of concrete and tall buildings though.”

“Oh, that’s too bad. Hey, we’re having pancakes for dinner. Isn’t that insane? Mom and I have decided to have breakfast for dinner once a month. You should come over next time.”

“I would love to. I make a pretty mean Denver omelet.”

“I don’t know what that is, but I’ll check Wikipedia later. Night!”

“Good night, Grace.”

*

“I didn’t imagine she would be as hot as she is,” Carmen mused, stirring her peach tea. “That’s for sure.” They’d come for their weekly get-together at Sabro’s and dined over a plate of sell-your-mother-for guacamole nachos. “Even Roman mentioned her undeniable beauty. Though out of respect, I’ll spare you his exact words.”

“Thank you, but I have two brothers and I can imagine. So what exactly
did
you expect? Details.”

“I don’t know. Someone a little more delicate and uptight with a severe hairstyle that says ‘I’ve got more money than God.’ Real-life Emory, while well dressed, was actually kind of fun.”

Sarah smiled and relaxed into her seat. “I love that you saw that. She doesn’t always show that side of herself and she should.”

“So what’s the update on that front?”

“The update is that I miss her like crazy. She’s been out of town on business all week and won’t be back until Friday, which also, cue the ominous music, happens to be her birthday.”

“Ohhh, the birthday. That’s a lot of pressure, Sar. Any big plans?”

“I’m picking her up at the airport, taking her to dinner where I’ll lose myself in those baby blues that I haven’t seen in forever, and then hopefully taking her home and having my way with her shortly thereafter. Speaking of which, would you be willing to keep Grace that night? She absolutely loves staying with you.”

“You’re sucking up. I like it. I’m sure we can work out some sort of exchange. My anniversary is next month and my rugrats simply adore staying with you as well.”

“Yikes.”

“You’ll be fine. I’ll draft you a survivor’s guide. But if they get hold of the scissors, you’re on your own.”

Sarah sighed. “It’s a deal.”

“So,” Carmen managed through a bite of her nacho, “sounds like we’re enjoying our newfound sex life.”

Sarah smiled shyly at the tablecloth. “More than I ever would have dreamed possible.”

Carmen scooted her chair in eagerly. “Specifics are definitely required. Are we talking gentle and easy or wild and crazy?”

“I think we’ve managed both. And maybe a few other combinations.”

Carmen shook her head in envy and glared. “Bragging is the instrument of the small and petty.”

Sarah grinned. “You did ask.”

“I did. And everything else is peaches and cream?”

“Um, yeah, for the most part.”

“Uh oh.”

“Don’t say uh oh, and don’t take that last nacho. It’s mine.” Sarah snagged the last of the nachos and slid down into her chair at its wonder.

Carmen eyed her knowingly. “Don’t use the nachos as a distraction. I know you, and there’s something else on your mind. Tell me now or I’m getting up and walking out of here. And you know I don’t make idle threats, so start talking. Five, four, three, two—”

“All right, all right. A little extra aggressive with the mommy mode today, aren’t we? Geez.” Sarah shifted in her seat. “It’s minor. It’s so minor in the scheme of everything good that I shouldn’t even say it out loud. But there are times when I feel like I’m…I don’t know, out of my league with Emory. Like I’m treading water or something.”

“Out of your league? First of all, that’s crazy. And second of all, what are you even talking about?”

Sarah took a moment and searched for the best way to articulate the nagging feeling she couldn’t seem to shake lately. “Emory travels all over the world. I’ve never even been out of California. She’s practically a world-class chef, and I peak at chicken and rice casserole. She knows everything there is to know about classic art and I watch
Monday Night Football
. Do you see where I’m going with this?”

“No, I don’t. I adore your chicken and rice casserole.”

“Work with me here. Focus.”

“Got it. Continue.”

“It’s almost as if
we
fit together, and I know we do, but our worlds don’t. She’s used to being on her own, nothing to tie her down, and then out of nowhere there’s this woman and her kid, who has these heart issues, and all sorts of ideas of family, and staying home nights. I’m worried it’s too much. That we’re too much and in the end, she’s going to realize that.

“All right. I’m going to put it to you plain and simple. Are you ready? And please pay attention because this is good.”

“So ready.”

“Okay, here goes…you’re a catch.” Carmen sat back in her chair as if she’d just uttered the most brilliant words anyone had ever spoken and was now letting them marinate in the universe.

“I’m a catch,” Sarah finally repeated with little conviction.

“Yes, you are, in fact, a catch. And so is your adorably smart daughter. You see, I’ve done the math. I’ve met virtually every kind of person, and you two are simply the best out of all of them, and I’m not just saying that because we’re friends. I mean, if it weren’t true, I still might say it, but in this instance, it just happens to be the truest thing on the planet. Are you with me?”

Sarah rested her chin in her hand and squinted. “I’m doing my best.”

“What I’m saying is that Emory is ridiculously lucky, and if she doesn’t see that, then you need to move on and quickly.”

Sarah’s eyes widened. “No, I’m not saying she doesn’t. It’s just this little voice inside my head that gets my attention every so often.”

“A little voice that you need to beat the hell out of until it submits to reason.”

Sarah laughed, her mood already lighter after talking with Carmen. “So you think I’m pretty great?”

Carmen rolled her eyes. “Whatever. You know I think you’re freaking adorable, all right? Do you feel better now?”

“As a matter of fact, I do.” Sarah grinned triumphantly and grabbed the check. “On me.”

“Did I also mention that you’re beautiful and smart too? Because Mama could use a new pair of boots. Just sayin’.”

It was finally Friday, and Emory was in high spirits. It was the first birthday in a long time that she was genuinely excited to celebrate. All she wanted in the world was a nice meal and the company of a very beautiful woman, one in particular.

The year had contained its fair share of ups and downs, but she was feeling hopeful, and that was worthy of some celebration. She couldn’t have been more excited to get off that plane and see Sarah and Grace, whom she’d not seen in six full days, a torturous eternity. She didn’t know how she was going to maintain the usual stream of business trips her job often called for. Things needed to be different now, and some sort of Plan B might be in order. She’d talk with Lucy about it soon.

As Emory made her way down the long corridor to baggage claim, she searched the faces of the eager family members waiting to greet their loved ones. When her eyes at long-last landed on Sarah’s, it was all she could do to maintain her steady pace and not close the distance between them in a less dignified manner, like an out-and-out jog. Instead, she shook her head, chuckling at the small sign Sarah held that read “Wanda,” and then took in the gorgeous black dress she wore for their evening out.

“You look amazing,” she said in Sarah’s ear as she pulled her into her arms.

“You’re sweet, and have been sorely missed.” Sarah held on to Emory for several long moments. Pulling back, she grinned, her eyes shining brightly. “Happy birthday.”

“Thank you.” Emory took her hand and led them to the baggage terminal. As they walked, her heart soared. She’d found her balance in the world again.

“Can you not go away anymore?” Sarah asked as they stared at each other lazily a few minutes later, waiting on Emory’s bag to make its way around on the carousel.

“Already working on it. But in more pressing matters, what should we do tonight?” Emory asked with delicious anticipation of the evening. “And where’s Grace? I thought for sure she’d have talked her way into making announcements over the PA by now.”

“Grace is being well cared for. You see, it’s somewhat of an important day I’m told, so I took the liberty of making reservations for the adults to celebrate at Donovan’s Downtown. My treat. I hope that’s okay. I know you said no party, but I wanted the night to be special. Thoughts?” Sarah looked nervous that she’d made the right call. But in all honesty, Emory didn’t care what they did as long as they did it together. But now that she thought about it, Donovan’s would actually make for a really nice evening.

“That sounds like the best offer I’ve had in a long time. You, me, and some amazing food.” Emory pulled Sarah’s hand to her lips and kissed the back of it. “Are you sure you don’t want Grace to come with us? She’s welcome.”

“Nope. She’s blissfully happy roughhousing with Carmen and her boys tonight, her idea of a walk on the wild side. She did send a gift for you, however, which I will give you later.”

“Now?” Emory asked hopefully, her right eyebrow arched.

“Later.” Sarah shook her head at Emory’s attempt to appear disappointed. “So incredibly demanding.”

Thirty minutes later, they pulled into the drive of Emory’s house. The idea was to make just a brief stop so Emory could change into something more appropriate for dinner and say a quick hello to Walter, who’d been tended to daily by Lucy in her absence. By the time they actually arrived, however, Emory was beginning to have other ideas. A passion had been lit when she’d first laid eyes on Sarah at the airport and that slow building fire was now going strong. She’d stolen glances at Sarah throughout their time in the car and just couldn’t get past how wonderful she looked in that dress. The occasional placement of Sarah’s hand on her thigh as they drove hadn’t helped her plight all that much either. “What time is our reservation?” she asked nonchalantly as they made their way up the walk.

Sarah glanced over at her suspiciously. “Why?”

“Just wondering how much time we had.”

A knowing smile took shape on Sarah’s face and she brought them to a stop on Emory’s front porch. “I know that look.”

“I have a look?”

“You have the best look. There’s this hunger that shades your eyes and every time I see it, it floods me with…”

“Floods you with?”

“All kinds of thoughts about you, us, together.” Sarah took a step into Emory’s space, her gaze taking on the heat Emory already felt. She slipped her hands under the front of Emory’s shirt and delicately moved her thumbs in circles across the planes of her stomach, not once breaking eye contact. “The reservations aren’t until eight o’clock. We have a little time, if you want to, you know, explore those thoughts I mentioned. God, you’re so warm.”

“Mhmm,” Emory murmured absently in response. “A lot of time between now and eight. A practical lifetime.” Emory closed her eyes, unable to take much more of Sarah’s teasing thumbs and the tidal wave of arousal they were unleashing. There was need coursing through her body and she had to act on it. She reached blindly for Sarah, catching her by the waist and pulling her in tightly until their bodies met. Sarah gasped and captured Emory’s mouth aggressively with her own.

Emory slid into the kiss.

Into lilac and cinnamon.

It had been too long, she thought, too long since she’d held Sarah this way, felt her all over like this. Emory took control, deepening the kiss all the while fumbling with her keys to get them inside quicker. “Damn it,” she whispered when her coordination continued to fail her over and over again.