Chapter 18

Eighteen

SARA

Goingto Santa Monica proved easier said than done. Unless you are your own boss and have enough money to burn, last-minute vacations are not the norm. The next morning, Rebecca nearly ripped off my head when I asked her for the rest of the week off. She profusely expressed how highly unprofessional I was to expect her to grant me a leave on such short notice. And perhaps it was a bit unfair, but I hardly ever called out sick or even took all my vacation days.

Did I mention my boss was a heartless, illogical harpy of a witch?

My real foolishness was expecting anything short of her insults and irrational explanations as to why I couldn’t take a few days off. I’d practically busted my ass the last few weeks making sure every detail pertaining to the show was completed. Plus, it wasn’t like I’d leave without first ensuring things would be under control while I was away.

I nearly fell backward when, after groveling at her feet, she at least let me take off that Friday. It wasn’t what I’d wanted, but it was better than nothing. I strolled back into my office, dreading the call I was going to make to Tom. I knew how disappointed he was going to be, and so was I, quite frankly.

“You’re absolutely sure there is nothing you can do?” he asked as soon as I told him about Rebecca’s quasi-approval, the tone in his voice was absent the joyous bounce I’d grown accustomed to.

“I tried, but this woman is impossible.”

“Quit and come work for me instead. You could have all the vacations you want.”

“Really? And exactly what kind of work would I do? I know nothing about real estate.”

“You’d be my personal assistant.”

“I’m sure you already have one of those.”

“I’ll fire her.”

“Tom, I’m not quitting my job and I’m not coming to work for you. We’ll just have to make the best out of the long weekend.”

“I haven’t left and I already miss you.”

“Stop it. No, you don’t. It’s only going to be a few days and then I’ll be up there on Friday and we can do all of the things…”

“All of the things, huh? Great minds think alike.”

I laughed. “I meant exploring Santa Monica, not sex. I’ve never been to California before. I’m not spending all my time tangled in sheets with you.”

“Ha. That’s what you say now. Wait until I have you on your back, legs spread, and my tongue sliding up that pussy.”

Shit. The way he said that, like he already knew how helpless I was against his oral talents, made my girl parts clench, proving his point.

“Cocky much?”

“Very much. And if my flight wasn’t leaving in two hours, I’d come to your place and show you exactly how cocky I am.”

“You’re insane. Go, finish getting ready for your flight. And call me before liftoff.”

* * *

Although I’d known on Tuesday that I was leaving for Cali that Friday, I waited until Thursday to break the news to Jen. I knew she was going to give me a speech about how it was too soon to go away with a guy I’d only recently met. Perhaps it was, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t take risks. I’d been protecting my heart for four years, and probably would’ve continued on that path if I hadn’t met Tom. And I’d still be sad lonely girl spending Friday nights with her cat.

And while not all women needed a man in their life to feel happy, I recently rediscovered that I was the kind of girl who needed love in her life. I’d been miserable the last four years not only because I’d given up on my dream to be a contemporary dancer, but because I’d denied myself the opportunity to find love again. And now that I’d had a taste of what that was like…of the butterflies in my stomach, of my heart fluttering when he called, of the way my nether regions tingled at the mere sound of his voice…I didn’t want it to end. I wanted more and more of him and if that meant I needed to follow him to California and spend a long a weekend at his Santa Monica beach house, I was gonna pack my bags and get on that plane no matter how Jen felt about it.

I decided to soften the blow by offering to buy her favorite takeout so she didn’t have to cook. After dinner, we sat on the couch and I finally told her I was leaving for the weekend to meet Tom in California.

“California?” Jen jumped off the couch and paced. “You’re not serious.”

“Jen, I don’t know what the problem is.”

“I thought you guys were going to take it slow. Going away on a weekend trip is not taking it slow.”

“First of all, you were the one who told me I needed to start dating. That I needed love in my life.”

“I also said you needed to take a breath and slow it down.”

“Look, everyone’s relationship is different. Not everyone works on the same time line. Tom and I…the connection we feel is more than visceral, more than the sexual chemistry we possess. I can’t explain it, but the mere thought of not being with him hurts.”

“That’s what scares me. Relationships like these are so hot, they tend to burn up quick. I wanted you to date, but I don’t want you going through heartache. I just wanted you to have fun.”

I turned from her, unable to meet her eyes. “I know I made mistakes with Josh, but that life is over. Tom and I… this is different than what Josh and I had. I was a kid back then. We both were. We weren’t ready for a future. Now, I feel freer to explore what might be, and I want to do it with Tom. So, can you please have some faith in me? I know what I’m doing.”

She sat next to me and I took her hand in mine. “Jen, ever since my mother died, you’ve taken on the role of protecting me, of sheltering me from the pain of the world. I couldn’t be more grateful for having someone like you in my life. You were the only one left when everyone else took off. I didn’t just lose the most important woman in my life. My father, the man I had grown to admire as my hero, also died in my heart when he married the woman he was having an affair with. I lost both my parents, and you adopted me. You weren’t only my best friend, you were there for me even more than my own sister. I can never forget what you did for me then and what you’ve done for me always.”

She lowered her gaze. “Sara, I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything. I know you mean well and you’re simply looking out for me.”

She smiled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Okay. Fine. But I’ll help you pack. If you’re gonna spend a long weekend with a hunky billionaire in his beach house mansion, then you need to dress the part.”

“Are you saying I don’t know how to dress?”

“Your wardrobe is a bit frumpy…”

“Frumpy? Oh my God. I don’t have time to go clothes shopping.”

She gave me a warm smile, “Don’t worry. We’ll go shopping in my closet.”

I threw my arms around her, smothering her in a hug. “Thank you, babe.”

“As much as you like to think I shelter you like a daughter, I know I’m not your mother. I could never fill those shoes. You don’t need my permission to go after your prince.”