39. Victoria

39

VICTORIA

This view is worth every penny. I thought as I started out at the glimmering lake, leaning against the brand new balcony railing. The double doors off the primary bedroom could finally be opened onto the new decking.

Swaying in the wind, the leaves of the trees were starting to get a light crispy sound to them as the end of August barreled closer.

I gripped the sealed wood and took in the fresh air. Surely the cleaner lifestyle would add a few years back onto my life that the stress of my 20s had taken away.

Before I could get too lost in thought, there was a faint knock on the door frame.

Whipping around, I started to smile before I even saw her. "Hi."

"Hey." Sarah nervously smiled back at me. Over her shoulders, she had two massive bags of decor. With just a week until the party, she mostly just had final touches to put in place. Except – of course – the table, which was set to be delivered the morning of the party.

I was a little nervous that I'd hate it. But I had yet to see a piece of Bri's work that I didn't like.

Crossing the deck, I placed a kiss on Sarah's cheek. She pulled back and rested a hand on my bicep. "Can I show you some pieces?"

I nodded as I followed her back inside. The house was quiet, Robin's work finally concluding over the weekend and leaving the party planners to take over the house.

Sarah led me downstairs to the kitchen.

Despite the house being so old, we hadn't run into any unforeseen delays.

"Okay, so the open shelving has to be carefully arranged. We want this to look lived in, but not like a mess." Sarah set her bag on the brand new, marble countertops. A vein of green ran through the surface, bringing a pop of color to the space.

Watching her move, she pulled out a few pieces; some jars of shelf-stable goods, a few ornamental vases, and a houseplant.

I leaned against the doorframe, becoming more aware of her lack of eye contact by the second.

Hurried, Sarah plopped each piece on the raw-edge wood shelves. "What do you think?" She crossed her arms as she spoke, hardly looking away from the arrangement.

"I like it." Striding across the kitchen to stand next to her, I let my hand rest flat against her back. "These are good." But I pulled my hand away and moved toward the shelf. I shuffled one of the vases to the lower shelf, swapping it with the houseplant.

Sarah sighed, a strange amount of relief coming from the new arrangement. "Thank you."

"Happy to help." I turned on my heels and leaned against the counter. The cold stone on my hand was a welcome sensation. Feeling bold, I narrowed my eyes. "Are you okay? Zoey's okay, right?"

Letting out a sharp breath, Sarah nodded. "Yeah, she's good. Those flowers are still holding on."

My eyes softened. "So, what is it? I feel like you're pulling away."

Sarah's shoulders dropped as her blue eyes pierced mine. "I don't know how to…"

"Break up with someone?"

Nodding, Sarah sucked in her lips. "Especially someone I'm working with."

I felt the wind knock out of my lungs, like I was in a free fall out of my helicopter. But all I could do was shrug. "Can I ask why?"

Looking around the house, Sarah raised her eyebrows. "I think your life is bigger than what I want."

"The kids. And school." I couldn't blame her. My life took me across the globe and as much as I wanted to slow down, work required me to move around a certain amount. And I was always going to be a fan of taking a helicopter ride for fun.

"Yeah." Sarah uncrossed her arms, letting them fall to her side. "I really appreciate you doing so much for me. It felt… healing in some way."

With a sigh, I shrugged. "Even if someone doesn't have my resources, don't settle for less than that feeling."

A laugh rose from her chest. "Trust me, those days are past."

I chuckled along with her, my eyes moving from the kitchen out to the sprawling living room. Shaking my head, I grinned. "Well, at least I let you design my entire house."

"You'll never get rid of me." Sarah winked.

After a moment of processing, I snapped my fingers. "So, what else do you have in your mystery bag?"

I was sure the pain would set in eventually, the slight heartbreak of losing the first woman I'd started to develop feelings for after many years of being single. But I wasn't about to lose Sarah as a friend. She was far too cool and smart to let slip through my fingers.

Besides, I still needed this house party to go off without a hitch.