Rock Wedding(27)

Sarah swallowed and glanced away into the distance for an instant. She’d never had anyone look at her that way—as if she were his heart and his soul and his reason for waking up in the morning. Once, she’d hoped Abe would someday look at her with that depth of love.

That dream had died a hard death, but as the interlude in her kitchen showed, she was still dangerously susceptible to the man who’d been her husband. She’d have to be careful the romance of the wedding didn’t seduce her into making a mistake that led her right back into his bed.

Why?

The question came from a sinful, hungry part of her that wasn’t the least bit sorry she’d gotten down and dirty with Abe. Her face flushed even now at the memory; she was grateful the other women were too busy nibbling at dessert and chatting about the wedding to notice.

Not wanting to miss out, Sarah wrenched her attention back to the matter at hand and joined in. As for Abe and her response to him, she’d deal with that tomorrow.


THE NEXT MORNING—AFTER A WONDERFUL LATE night where they’d ended up talking for hours—Sarah showered, then put her pajamas back on and joined her friends in the kitchen. Kit had just come in from using another shower in the house and went straight to the coffee machine.

“Need caffeine,” she said, her arms held out like a zombie’s.

“You want me to do that?” Sarah asked Kit. “I think I’ve figured out the machine.”

“No, let me.” Kit yawned. “It’ll wake me up a bit more. What does everyone want?”

Two minutes later, while Sarah was quietly and happily listening to Charlotte and Molly discuss the flower arrangements, Kit slid across Sarah’s latte.

The aroma was heavenly. “Thanks, Kit.” God, it was nice sitting here with women she liked, doing nothing in particular. She did miss Flossie though, but Sarah’s pet enjoyed the rare times she got to go to a special “pet hotel” where she hung out with other dogs and had doggie sleepovers.

“What do you want for breakfast, Sarah?” Molly swung off the stool even as she spoke. “I can whip you up some—”

“Sit down!” Charlie’s voice was unexpectedly fierce. “This is your wedding day. Act like a bridezilla.”

Scrunching up her face, Molly stuck out her tongue at her best friend but retook her seat. “T-Rex is a bad influence on you, Miss Baird.”

Sarah laughed at the darkly uttered words before getting up herself.

“Cereal’s my usual—”

“No, no, I have something better.” Charlie waved Sarah back down and, jumping off her own stool, went around the counter.

Lifting a cover, Molly’s best friend said, “Ta-da!”

“Wow, those muffins look delicious.” Sarah’s stomach rumbled, though she wasn’t usually a big breakfast eater. “Apple and walnut?”

“Pear and walnut.” Placing one on a plate, Charlotte passed it over.

Sarah went to break it in half using her fingers, felt her eyes widen. “It’s still warm!”

“I made them just before.” Picking up another muffin, Charlotte put it in front of Kit, the actress having grabbed the stool next to Sarah. “Forget about being a superstar today,” she ordered. “You’ll still fit your clothes.”

Kit drew in a deep breath, the scent of the fresh muffins filling the air. “I surrender.” Putting down her coffee cup, she went to take a bite. “You’re bossier than you look.”

“T-Rex has a lot to answer for.”

“Hush up, half of Foxy.”

Laughter filled the air as Molly threw a crumpled up napkin at a grinning Charlotte. Once again, Sarah didn’t feel the least bit out of place. Not with Molly, Charlotte, and Kit also in their pajamas and Kit stealing a sip of Sarah’s latte while the actress waited for her second cup of the morning to brew. Then Thea joined them after her shower and began taking photos with her phone, promising solemnly that the images would never go online anywhere.

“This is for us,” the publicist said as she made Molly and Charlotte pose together in their pj’s. Both women were wearing boxers-and-camisole combos, their smiles so huge they outshone the sun. “Though”—she tapped a finger on her lower lip, eyes narrowed—“this will also make excellent blackmail material—except shit, Kit, you look far too good even without makeup and Sarah, you’re glowing.”

“Hey, what about us?” Molly and Charlie said in insulted concern.

A second later and everyone was talking over everyone else, and it was chaotic and fun. When the makeup artist and hairdresser arrived, they all watched Molly get done up—at least until the makeup artist banished them outside for making Molly collapse into giggles.