Zero Forks - Cat Johnson Page 0,64
in the eye. “Can you stay up here and play with your toys for a few minutes so the grown-ups can talk?”
He nodded as if he trusted in me completely. I only hoped I could prove worthy of that trust and figure this out.
I was halfway down the stairs when I spotted Sarah in a face-off with her mother. “He’s happy here.”
“He’s three. He’ll be happy wherever he is.”
Sarah shook her head. “No. Stewie’s staying here. With me.”
Her mother laughed. “I don’t know why you’re even arguing. You’re turning forty. It’s obvious you don’t want children of your own. And you hired help to take care of him. So why don’t you let someone with some actual experience take over?”
I stopped halfway across the living room, not moving as I watched Sarah draw in a breath and shake her head.
“Mother, I’m not going to argue with you. Stewie’s not going anywhere. That’s all. You can visit him whenever you want but he’s staying here until Liza gets home. Now, let’s try and have a nice day together. Shall we?”
“I’m not—” her mother began.
Sarah’s father placed a hand on his wife’s back. “The boy’s happy here with Sarah. He’s staying here. Case closed.”
Once Sarah recovered from her obvious surprise that her father had stood up to her mother, she smiled. “Thanks, Daddy.”
The man turned and found me, frozen in place as I watched the family fight. “I’ll take that drink now.”
“Yes, sir.” I was ready to down a few myself after this.
I had completely misjudged today and I’d so lost this bet.
No vibrator sex for me, but Sarah and Stewie were staying and that was all that really mattered.
“I’ll help with the drinks.” Sarah followed me to the kitchen.
I didn’t need the help, but she no doubt needed some time away from her parents.
In front of the fridge, I grabbed her and pressed a hard kiss to her lips.
I broke away and shot a quick glance at the doorway to make sure the coast was clear before I said, “You were amazing in there. You kept your cool but you were firm and decisive. Just perfect.”
“Thank you.” She smiled. “And I win the bet.”
“Yeah, you do. But you should know I would get you this house and stay here with Stewie for as long as you want me to whether I lost or not.”
Her lips twitched. “And you should know if you whip out that vibrator tonight, there’s no way I’m saying no to using it with you.”
My heart swelled, along with someplace else.
I’d been hoping she’d say that. I cupped her face between my hands and leaned in for another kiss.
“Oh my God! Is that a pig on a leash walking down the road? Now I know I’m really in the sticks.” Her mother’s exclamation put a halt to our kiss.
“Petunia must be out for a walk,” I said.
Sarah rolled her eyes. “Of course, she is. Because my mother didn’t have enough to complain about already.”
I tipped my head. “Well, think of it this way. Maybe she won’t be so eager to visit again real soon.”
“I like the way you think.” Sarah smiled. “And you know what? Sometimes your annoyingly overwhelming optimism comes in handy.”
“Um, thanks, I guess.” I frowned, not sure if I’d been insulted.
“You’re welcome. And you know what else? Maybe they’ll leave early. Then we can put Stewie to bed and retire early ourselves.” She waggled her eyebrows.
I laughed. “And I love the way you think.”
In fact, I loved everything about her.
TWENTY-FIVE
Sarah
We walked into a ballroom that was swimming in a sea of tables.
Boone leaned in close and whispered, “Which one is he?”
“Who?” I asked, glancing up from the place card where I’d been trying to find the number for the company’s table.
“The douche you work with who stole your idea.”
I shot him a warning glare. “Do not start anything with him. Boone, promise me. My boss is going to be here—”
“I won’t start anything. I swear. I just want to know.”
Since he’d been able to control himself at the wedding last month when faced with Greg, I figured he should be able to handle Jerry, so I said, “Fine. I trust you.”
“You’d better,” he growled, which did things to my lady parts.
I glanced around and saw the pattern of the table numbers. It looked like ours was along the wall near the back. “Come on. He’s probably at the table.”
“All righty. Lead the way,” Boone said, sounding suspiciously upbeat.
Jerry was indeed at the table. I guessed