Chapter 13
Finding no supporters and now as red as her dress Madeline fled into the crowd but Lucas didn’t spare her a thought. His gaze followed Sarah like a moth drawn to a light. Her expression and poise during the confrontation surprised him. Since when did Sarah have that kind of attitude?
And when did she meet Silas and know him well enough to call him by his nickname? Lucas could count on one hand the number of people close enough to Silas to have earned that right. He wasn’t alone in his shock if the murmurs running through the crowd were anything to go by. How? When?
The small group moved off and Lucas struggled to keep up with them while avoiding attention. They sat at a table where they could relax and catch up. Thomas and Silas seemed equally enraptured with Sarah as she regaled everyone with stories of the last four years or so Lucas assumed. He was too far away to hear but Sarah seemed lively as she spoke and even had Silas laughing.
Lucas shook as he watched her. How had he not noticed her engaging personality? He always thought of her as demur and squirrely but it seemed she could spin a tale worthy of her audience. Lucas itched to get closer
but didn’t dare to disturb the scene in front of him. What should he do?
As he watched Madeline returned with Lidia at her side. Apparently she scurried away to secure herself an ally. But now Sarah was safely absconded with Silas in close attendance and neither dared confront her
They backed off and Lucas breathed easier until Sarah decided to call it a night with Ruth. Lucas trailed them
all the way to the door watching them climb into the back of an Uber and disappear into the night.
He stood on the sidewalk his heart hammering in his chest trying to catch his breath as if he had just run a
full marathon. She was alive. She was here. She was drop-dead gorgeous.
“Breath, Luke. Breath man,” Alan encouraged seeing his friend on the verge of a panic attack.
“She’s here. That was her.”
“I know. I saw.”
“Where has she been?”
“I-I don’t know.”
“What do you know?”
“Her friend is Ruth Clark and she’s the leading editor of Briarwood Books. She’ll be at the Publisher’s Book
Fair tomorrow in the Conrad ballroom. Chances are Sarah will be there too.”
Lucas finally managed to calm himself as he took in the information. He breathed deep and looked in the direction the car had gone. She was here and so close. Tomorrow…he would get his answers tomorrow.
“Call the car,” Lucas said. “I need to go home.”
Alan nodded taking out his phone. He thought Lucas might try to confront Silas but it seemed he only wanted to see Sarah again. It was probably for the best.
Lucas woke early and was anything but refreshed. He was certain he hadn’t slept at all. All night long Sarah flitted through is mind like some fairy or witch consuming his thoughts. On one side was the willowy shadow he remembered and on the other the goddess she had become. Had she always been that way? How did he
not see it?
He stumbled to the shower and stood under the water his mind swirling with images of her. The way she looked… the way she smiled…the way she engaged others…her laughter…he groaned looking down at his
rather hard member.
“Yeah. I know how you feel,” he muttered gripping it and working it until he ejaculated with a moan. And still Sarah danced through his mind.
He stepped out of the shower still confused but with a somewhat clearer head. Today he would see her. Today he would get the answers to the questions that haunted him. That was his mantra as he stepped into
the closet selecting a simple gray t-shirt and trousers for his confrontation to come. Adding a sports jacket
he felt prepared. Today was the day. Ulima greeted him as he made it to the kitchen and he gratefully
accepted the coffee she offered. He needed every bit of courage he could muster.
“Knock, knock,” Alan announced as he stepped in and was surprised to see Lucas was already up. “Damn, did
you sleep at all?”
Lucas shook his head. Alan looked at him with concern but supposed it couldn’t be helped after the
bombshell of last night. When he started looking for Sarah Alan figured they would be surprised when they found her but even he hadn’t expected such a dramatic change. Lucas drank his coffee preparing for what was undoubtedly going to be a dramatic confrontation. Alan still wasn’t sure what outcome either of them
hoped for.
“Well, are you ready to see your ex-wife?” Alan asked.
Lucas glared at him but set down his cup with a nod. Breathing deep Lucas headed to the door before he lost his nerve. He still didn’t know what he would say to Sarah once he was face to face with her but he hoped it
would come to him.
Alan got into the driver’s seat. Given the intensity of the situation he figured it was best if he acted as driver to keep witnesses to a minimum. After last night he knew rumors were already circulating about Sarah’s sudden return. On the whole the comments were positive and she seemed to have made a good impression given the article he read though most were understandably confused.
New York Take Notice…She’s Back!
Last night’s charity gala was all abuzz and it had nothing to do with the substantial donation contributed by Silas Prescott. It was the sudden return of Sarah Stanton. That’s right! Thee Sarah Stanton! But if you were expecting the same quiet wallflower you are about to be shocked!
