That, you know, you had a really crap time of things, and then you found someone. I just wish it could happen for me.”
“Christie, there is a sweet, funny, nice-bodied man waiting outside as we speak. Give him a try. What’s the problem? You don’t fall in love overnight. Especially if you’ve only said three words to the guy. Get to know him a little.”
Christie wiped her face again and stood up. “It’s nothing. Go. Have fun.”
“It is something,” Sara said, standing with her. “You aren’t the sentimental type. What’s up? He said you want to put him in the friend zone. Since when do you want more friends?”
“Since I don’t want intimacy, and no guy is going to stay abstinent in this day and age.”
Sara’s mouth dropped open. “Are you waiting until marriage? Oh my God, I’m pregnant without a proper boyfriend and you are waiting for marriage. I must look like a huge slut to you!”
“The freaking out is getting slightly absurd, darling. And no, I’m not waiting until marriage. I’ve—” An expression of pure misery enveloped Christie’s face, her eyes filling with fresh tears. She turned away immediately, busying herself by straightening perfectly straight items on her nightstand. “I just have a hard time with intimacy. Bad experience. It’s nothing. Happened years ago. But I don’t want to go rushing in to anything, that’s all.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” Sara asked quietly, putting her hand on Christie’s back. She could feel the other woman trembling beneath her touch.
Christie laughed in that “I am extremely uncomfortable about this whole situation” way before she strode to the bathroom. “Nope. I’m good. I just had a moment of feeling sorry for myself seeing you with Mikey. He’s a great catch, Sara, really he is. Now, please go away and let a girl get ready to go ride a horse.”
Sara stood motionless for a moment, indecisive. She didn’t know Christie that well, but they’d grown close in such a short period of time. She wanted to be there for her new friend, but she also knew this wasn’t the time. Christie, standing at the sink, trying to get it together, was not a woman that wanted attention. Needed it, probably, but didn’t want it. Not right that minute. She wasn’t ready for it.
If anyone understood not being ready to face the past, it was Sara.
So she gathered up her things quietly, and then gave her friend a deep, heartfelt hug from behind. “I’m here when you’re ready.”
Christie just nodded, holding firm against more tears.
Sometimes, love really sucked.
Sara pulled open the door to a somber-faced Greg. “She okay?” he asked quietly.
“All’s good in the hood, bro. Slap me five.” Sara threw up her hand again.
He put up his own hand. “Hi.” He waved.
“You’re such a douche.”
“You need to come up with something else to call people. That name’s getting old,” Mikey said as she brushed passed Greg with a shaking head and walked toward Mikey down the hall.
“It fits. For both of you,” Sara said, glancing behind to witness Greg walking into the bedroom. He was a sweet guy—he’d try to help. And hopefully, Christie would let him.
“Clever,” Mikey said, sucking her focus back into the moment.
“Yes, I am.”
Mikey slipped his hand behind her back and walked in step, swinging the door open for her when they got there. “Are you ready to knock out another dream?”
“If you dare put me in a sidecar, I will walk right back to my room right now. No sex for you tonight. I mean it.”
He laughed as they walked around the main house and to the parking lot in the front. As their feet hit packed dirt, Mikey held out keys. “All yours.”
“You’re going to make me drive on a date?”
He brought the keys back to his chest. “Absolutely not. What must you think of me?”
Grinning, he clicked the button. Across the parking lot, a BMW SUV blinked at them. A green sign for a car dealership waited in place of a license plate. Not a speck of dirt peeked through the high shine.
Sara’s mouth dropped open. “When did you get this?”
“Brand new. Half a month old. I was going to surprise you for your birthday, but you know how I like to give presents. I couldn’t wait. Besides, I can just get you something else for your birthday.”
Sara calmly peeled his arm away from around her waist. Facing him, she glared. “Are you out of your mind? You can’t possibly be serious.”
His