Chapter 11
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.”
I
“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
ΟΠ.
There were some who took it as a sign to be afraid of Ava wondering how she could keep à 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…”
***
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