Daughter | Bk 2 | Pt. 01 - Calm Before

Foreword

A solid thank you to everyone returning to dive deeper into Sara's world.

Book Two will be released in two parts, and days apart. Part One focuses on Sara, Jon and the ensemble cast. Progressing familiar storylines while introducing new ones that will splinter off.

Consider it a moment to learn more about the ensemble cast, because Part Two shifts the main story arc away from Sara and Jon, and to the main event: Julie and Tony.

As always, I look forward to your comments and feedback--positive and definitely negative. I'm here to grow as a writer, not get my ass kissed. ????

Previously on Daughter, Book One:

Sara Williams thought she had everything. A successful career, a loving husband, and a carefully curated life in Westchester.

But beneath the surface, she struggled with the fear of losing Jon's affection, especially as they tiptoed around the question of starting a family. When her mother's shocking betrayal shattered the family, Sara's carefully ordered world cracked. Julie's affair drove a wedge through the heart of their home, and Sara found herself questioning relationships, loyalty, trust, and what it truly means to be in love.

Amid deep internal reflection, a strained marriage, and family wounds, Sara shed the polished version of herself... and learned that growing up isn't about having all the answers, but about choosing who you want to be when everything else falls apart.

Daughter Book Two, Part One.

******

Chapter 01 | Dad

SUNDAY APRIL 21 2024 | 10AM | Jon & Sara's Apartment

Dark roast lingered in the air... part comfort, part cover, like a peace offering.

Sara set two mugs down on the kitchen island, then grabbed the white paper bag from the counter, rolling it open. The sugary scent of day old donuts filled the space, slightly stale but still tempting.

Tony took a seat, his movements slower than usual. He wasn't cold, wasn't angry, but there was still a weight between them. He reached for his coffee first, taking a slow sip before glancing at the bag.

"Good coffee. Nice and strong. You got any maple crullers left?" he asked.

Sara rifled through the bag and pulled out a donut, holding it out with a smirk. "Lemon Lust?"

Tony shot her a dry look. "Lust has gotten us in enough trouble, don't you think?"

Sara snorted, rolling her eyes as she swapped it out for a Macadamia Maple. Tony took it without hesitation, breaking off a piece but not eating it yet.

A quiet settled between them.

Sara cupped her mug, her fingers tapping against the ceramic. She took a deep breath, with a slow release, staring down at the swirling coffee before speaking.

"I should've told you," she said. "I should've fought for you."

Tony watched her, fingers resting on the donut.

"I kept hoping it would fix itself," she continued, voice softer. "That she'd wake up before it was too late. And that was stupid. Because while I was waiting for things to fix themselves... she was making sure they never would."

Tony exhaled through his nose, breaking off another piece of the cruller.

"Yeah," he said, chewing slowly. "That's what stings." He swallowed and met her gaze. "I never blamed you for what your mother did, Sara. That was her choice. Not yours."

"But," he continued, leaning forward, "what hurt was feeling like my daughter wasn't in my corner. That day at the diner, when it all came out? I needed my kids. And you..." he exhaled, shaking his head. "You were silent."

Sara's throat tightened. She had no defense.

"I know," she whispered.

Tony leaned back, rubbing his thumb along the rim of his mug. His voice was calmer now, the edge of betrayal dulling into something else... acceptance.

"I needed my daughter to see me," he said. "To stand with me, the way I've always stood with her. And that morning, I didn't feel like I had you."

Sara blinked, looking at him, her voice steady despite the lump in her throat.

"I see you," she said. "And I will always stand with you, dad. I'm sorry... Had it been anyone else but mom, there wouldn't have been any hesitation. No confusion."

Tony studied her, measuring the words. And this time, he nodded.

A beat of silence passed before Sara inhaled, pushing forward with the thought that had gnawed at her for weeks.

"What if I become like her?" she asked, her fingers curling around her coffee mug.

Tony frowned. "What?"

"What if it's in me?" she pressed. "Mom, didn't wake up one day and decide to cheat, right? It was the buildup of small things, little justifications, one step after another. What if that's in me, too? What if I wake up one day and..." she swallowed hard. "And I ruin everything with Jon?"

Tony set his mug down. He looked at his daughter, really looked at her, the tension in her shoulders, the flicker of fear behind her green eyes.

"No," he said firmly.

Sara blinked. "But..."

"No," he repeated, shaking his head. "Listen to me. It's true, your mother didn't just wake up and do this. But she made the choices, over and over, until she convinced herself she was right. She didn't stop to think about who she was hurting."

He leaned forward, his voice steady.

"And that's the difference, Sara. You care."

Sara bit her lip.

"You're scared of it. She never was. That's why you won't become her."

Her chest rose and fell as she processed his words.

She let out a breath, nodding. "Jon said something similar. You really believe that?"

Tony reached for her hand. "With everything I have. You made a good choice with Jon. Never stop communicating and respecting each other."

Sara's fingers tightened around his, and for the first time in weeks, the crushing guilt loosened its grip.

They sat like that for a moment, just holding onto each other.

Tony exhaled and glanced at the clock. "C'mon, let's go. Scott and Jon are probably halfway through the coffee at Meadows by now."

Sara sniffed and gave a small smile. "You sure? I feel like there's more to say..."

"Why? What's that going to do? I don't need to hear you say I'm sorry a hundred times. Your actions from this point forward will let me know if you get it."

She looked at him, uncertain.

"I'm sure, let's go," said Tony.

"You're not gonna glare at me the whole time?"

Tony smirked. "No promises."

That earned a quiet laugh from her. But before he could get up, she moved in, wrapping her arms around him.

Tony stiffened for a second, closing his eyes as he melted into the hug, his arms coming around her, holding her tight.

"I love you, Dad," she murmured against his shoulder.

"I love you too, Sarabelle," he said, voice thick.

They held onto each other for another beat before Tony patted her back and pulled away, clearing his throat. "Alright, let's go before Jon sends a search party."

Sara grabbed her coat and followed him out the door, lighter than she had felt in weeks.

SUNDAY APRIL 21 2024 | 11AM | Meadows Diner

The bells above the diner door jangled, their familiar chime cutting through the soft hum of morning conversation.

Jon and Scott looked up, just as they had with every ring, their anticipation a quiet weight between them. The past hour had crawled by, their coffee growing cold as they stole glances at the entrance, waiting, hoping.

And then... there she was.

Sara stepped inside, her blonde hair catching in the light, her green eyes slightly puffy but bright with something they hadn't seen in weeks. Relief. Beside her, Tony stood tall, his arm draped around her shoulders in an embrace that, though small, spoke volumes.

Jon let out a breath, his grip on the coffee easing just slightly. He hadn't realized how tight he'd been holding it.

Scott, always the first to break the silence, set his fork down and smirked. "About time."

Sara rolled her eyes but smiled. "You act like you've been waiting for days."

"Felt like it," Jon murmured, his eyes on Tony, searching.

Tony met Jon's gaze, nodding once, a silent assurance. They hadn't fixed everything yet, but the worst was over.

As they neared the table, Penny stepped into Tony's path, her gaze holding his for just a beat too long. Her eyes softened. Not pity, not surprise, just quiet concern... and with a small nod, she asked the question without saying a word.

Tony held her gaze for a second before giving a slow, solemn shake of his head.

Penny pressed her lips together, exhaling quietly before placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Well," she said, her voice warm, "look who we have here. Got the whole Williams clan back in one piece."

Sara felt her father's arm tighten briefly around her shoulders before he let go to pick up a menu.

"Yeah," she said, smiling softly. "Something like that."

Scott raised his coffee in a mock toast. "Well, this calls for a celebration. Another round of coffees and an extra stack of pancakes, because I know Dad skipped breakfast."

Tony huffed a quiet laugh. "Don't push your luck, kid." But there was no real heat in it.

Penny smirked, flipping her notepad open. "Alrighty then. Refills and extra pancakes. And how about I throw in some of the fresh sausage? On the house."

Jon leaned back with a smirk. "Now that's how you make a fresh start."

Sara nudged Tony playfully. "See? Told you this would be a good idea."

Tony glanced around the table, taking in his kids, Jon, and the familiarity of the diner, the place that had held so many memories for their family.

He sighed, setting his menu down.

"Yeah," he admitted, voice lighter than it had been in weeks. "You did."

The sudden hum of vibrating phones broke the moment as their devices buzzed against the table.

A text.

Sara and Scott instinctively reached for their phones. Tony didn't bother.

Scott read the message aloud. "It's from Aunt Cassie. Mom's there, and is staying with her."

Tony exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "Well. I'm glad that mystery is solved. Jon, can you pass the sugar?"

Scott's eyes scanned further down the screen. "Aunt Cassie says she'll call you tonight to talk."

Tony paused, his fingers resting on the table. A beat of silence passed before he let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head again.

"Great," he said flatly. "Looking forward to it."

Jon passed the sugar without a word, and as the tension hovered for just a moment before Penny returned, setting down fresh mugs of coffee.

Sara reached for her father's hand under the table and gave it a squeeze.

And just like that, they were home.

Chapter 02 | Last Day

TUESDAY MAY 7 2024 | Sara's Last Day

Sara strode out of Grand Central Station like a boss. Heels clicking briskly against the pavement.

The familiar flutter of anxiety in her stomach felt different now... less like fear and more like anticipation. Today marked her last day at the agency, an ending that once seemed improbable, but one she now embraced.

Three weeks had passed since the Sunday brunch shattered her family. Her mother's betrayal and the unanswered questions still cast long shadows across them, but in its wake, Sara had discovered something unexpected; her own voice.

The pendant dangling over her heart warmed with each step, as if acknowledging this subtle transformation from the daughter who needed approval to the woman who trusted her own choices.

She caught her reflection in a store window... shoulders back, chin lifted, a quiet confidence in her stride that hadn't been there before. The nervous energy still hummed beneath her skin, but it no longer threatened to overwhelm her. Instead, it fueled each step toward her future, even as part of her heart remained tangled in the complexities of her family's healing.

The ever dingy exterior of Evergreen came into view for the last time. Her new commute on Monday would reroute her walk uptown towards Rockefeller Center. The memories and new friends she made in just three short weeks amazed her.

Once past security and reception, she entered her now sparsely decorated office and draped her coat over the hanger with care, the movement almost ritualistic. Pausing for a moment before starting her laptop. With one button push, the screen lit up and made her last day real.

Spinning in her chair, her fingers ran over the edge of her desk, lingering on the spot where the wood had chipped. A warm feeling swelled inside her as she thought about how much she had grown in her career over the last four years at this agency.

Campaign posters on the wall, a parade of her achievements. She remembered the long hours, the last-minute client demands, and the elation of sealing the last deal. She had earned every bit of that pride.

The marker erase board that showed the latest timelines for the last campaigns she worked on. "This will all be Tessa's problem tomorrow," she thought.

The buzzing of her phone scattered her thoughts. It was Jon.

Have a great last day! ???? Looking forward to dinner. ❤️

Sara responded with a heart, reflexively scrolling to her mother's number. Her finger hovered over it for a moment before she caught herself. The realization hit her hard...

Three weeks of major changes, and Mom didn't know. Would she care?

Sara exhaled and set the phone down, flipping open her laptop instead.

Her calendar showed a light schedule for today; exit interviews with HR, and two short internal account transition meetings with Tessa to answer questions, giving her ample time to say any last goodbyes.

She scheduled a coffee meeting with Matthew, her direct line VP, to thank him for giving her the opportunity, and his mentorship. His experienced guidance and her youthful drive had made them a successful team for the agency.

She grabbed her laptop and headed out to her first stop.

Walking through the familiar agency hallways to her final meetings, Sara felt oddly disconnected from the frantic buzz of her colleagues racing to meet their deadlines. She wouldn't miss the daily client fire drills.

She kept her composure until 4:30, when her team threw her a surprise goodbye party and gifted her with a set of monogrammed notebooks. Her throat tightened as she unwrapped the notebooks, her fingers tracing the embossed initials. She laughed, a light, shaky sound, to stop herself from crying. She thanked them as they sliced into the chocolate cake.

Later, grabbing her jacket and with a last look at her desk, she closed the door to her old office. She walked into the reception area, remembering the day she first stepped out of the elevator, wide eyed and excited for her first real job in the city. She introduced herself to Ruth, who welcomed her and promptly handed her the ID card.

"You had a good run, Sara. Good luck in the new place and never lose that positive attitude." smiled Ruth, taking the ID card from Sara.

"Thank you Ruth. For everything. You take care of yourself," said Sara as the elevator doors closed.

******

15 minutes later, Sara stepped into the familiar bustle of Evergreen. The emotional stress of the day melted away as she saw a smiling and waving Em and Liv at the bar. She was ready to celebrate with her friends.

"Sucks that they gave two of your accounts to Tessa... means I'll need to copywrite for her again. I heard she pushed real hard to get them, though," said Liv.

"Their call to make. It'll be fine. I mean, she might suck as a person, but the girl is good at her job," Sara shrugged, trying to sound unbothered.

"I'm just grateful that she's left me alone after the blowup in the conference room. I don't want any... Oh shit!" mumbled Liv, lifting the hood of her coat and twisting her body towards the bar.

Both Em and Sara turned their heads to see if Liv was ok.

Glancing over her shoulder, Liv said, "Remember the story of the one-night stand I told you both about? The shitty experience? There he is, black pants, burgundy shirt," said Liv, shielding her face.

"That's the guy?" Sara's eyes widened in surprise. "Thought he'd have a bit more... height. Like 6'5 or something to match the story." Sara teased, leaning in to keep her voice low.

"No..." Em eyed him up and down. "More like 5'10. Good-looking, muscled up top, but no legs. Typical... clearly skips leg day. Nice shirt though. Seems like the kind of guy that peaked in high school, but is still chasing the dream. You were prime pussy for this guy," she said, nudging Liv on her side.

Liv cringed, looking anywhere but at the guy.

"Em, please! Just ignore him. It's so not worth it." Liv said, shaking her head.

Mr. Big noticed Em staring at him, and gave her a smarmy smile, taking a step in her direction, he was taken aback when she saluted him with her middle finger. He shook it off and continued to a table near the back of the dining area.

"Hey girls!" said Evie, breaking through the crowd, giving hugs all around. "No dinner tonight?"

"Nope, just a few drinks since this one quit her job today," said Em, jerking her thumb toward Sara.

"Ooh, what's next? Fancy new job or... the pitter-patter of little feet?"

Sara snorted mid-sip, nearly choking on her drink. "New job... definitely fancy. I'm excited."

Evie grinned. "Cool, congrats... I only mentioned babies because of the way you and your husband were openly enjoying each other the other night."

Em's drink halted in midair. Her head snapped toward Sara so fast it was a miracle she didn't get whiplash.

"Wait. What??" she blurted, grabbing Evie's arm before she could escape.

"Spill."

Sara turned a deep shade of pink. "That's... a story for another night."

Em's eyes narrowed. "Uh, huh. Fine. Saturday then. First thing."

Sara shifted in her seat. "Maybe Saturday. Like... fourth thing?"

Em gave her a hard look as Sara turned toward Evie.

"You and Alex still good for Saturday?" said Sara, turning towards Evie.

Sensing an opening for escape, Evie gave a quick nod. "Yes! Definitely! We traded our night shifts for breakfast. Can't wait." She wrapped Sara in a hug, grinning like she'd just tossed a grenade and was running for cover. "Bye!"

Em watched her disappear into the crowd before slowly turning back to Sara, one eyebrow raised.

"This conversation is not over."

Sara groaned, turning towards the bar.

She ordered a drink, and the girls caught up on the day. Em took a long sip of her drink, the ice cubes clinking loudly in the glass, as Liv turned towards Sara.

"Sooooo, I hear that you're setting Em up with your husband's older brother." Said Liv. "Does he, by any chance, have a third younger brother?"

"Oh right. I mean, no! Jon doesn't... but I do. Scott. He's 25, single..."

"And a hottie." interrupted Em, showing Liv a picture of Scott from her phone.

"Damn, he is fine," said a wide eyed Liv.

"Not my place to say...," said Sara.

"Which is why I said it," said Em with a smirk.

Rolling her eyes, Sara continued, "Anyway, I'm so sorry for the short notice, but are you free Saturday for a get together? I think that you two have lots in common, especially with music. I would love to introduce you."

"I was joking about the brother thing, but yes! I'd love to come over. Thank you!" said Liv. "Honestly, you guys have changed my life in less than three weeks. You've been such a light for me... I can't thank you enough," she said with a hug.

"No worries. I've enjoyed getting to know the real you and want to keep that going. I'll text you the info," said Sara. "Ok, girls. Thank you for today. It was amazing, but I need to meet Jon for a late dinner."

"He's in the city?" asked Em.

"Yeah, he was called into the office today for a required all hands. Sounded serious." Sara shrugged.

"Fiiiiiine," said Em, rolling her eyes. "Run to your hot husband. While we single girls have another drink and bond in our misery," as she draped her arm over Liv's shoulders.

With a heavy sigh and two quick hugs, Sara left. The girls turned back to their drinks.

"I meant what I said. You've both changed my life, or at least led me onto a brighter path," Liv said, her voice warm.

Em grinned, shrugging on her light jacket. "No worries, youngling. You've brought new life into our tired old lady conversations." She stretched dramatically. "Anyhow, I'm calling it a night after this one."

"Same," nodded Liv, before pausing, her eyes flicking to Em's lapel. "That's a nice pin. Starship Academy, right? I loved that show when I was a kid. I wanted to..."

She froze mid-sentence, her jaw dropping as her eyes darted between the pin and Em's face.

"... Holy shit."

Em raised a brow, taking a sip of her drink. "What?"

Liv's expression morphed from confusion to realization to pure excitement. "The pin... the crescent moon-shaped freckle... How have I not made the connection?" She gasped. "You were Ensign Zara Chen! I loved your character and all the alien techy things you used to do! I... I wrote a couple of fanfics about you!"

Em gave Liv a smirk. "That's Lieutenant Junior Grade to you Ma'am. And hopefully, I got laid in those."

Liv choked on her drink. "Em. I was 10."

Em tilted her head, unbothered. "A kiss at least?"

"No! There was no sex!"

Em sighed dramatically, swirling her drink. "Ah, well. The drought continues..."

Liv laughed, shaking her head, just as a low voice cut in from the side.

"Hello, ladies."

The light mood shifted slightly as they both turned to find a guy lingering too close, watching them.

"Can I buy you both a drink? Maybe... help you with that drought?"

Both women turned their head in unison, their noses wrinkling in identical expressions of distaste.

******

Sara turned the corner onto east 46th, making her way to meet Jon at their favorite sushi restaurant. Her stomach grumbled as she got closer.

Although Jon visited the NY office twice a month, she couldn't remember the last time an all-hands meeting required onsite attendance. She hoped it wasn't bad news. Rumors of layoffs were hitting the tech industry hard. She hoped Jon's day went well.

Entering the restaurant, she approached the hostess about their reservation when she heard her name called out above the din, and spotted a waving Jon.

"Hey baby!" she said as he rose from the table and twirled her in his arms.

"Hey love. So, how was the last day?" he asked after a hug.

"It was sad and exciting. I know they'll survive without me, but... What's with that face? What's wrong?" she asked.

Jon's face gave away no emotion, but Sara could sense something brewing underneath. Her fingers tightened around his waist, her knuckles whitening as she braced herself. "What happened?" she pressed, trying to sound casual.

"Nothing is wrong, but I have some news... sit. Finish what you were saying..."

"No. I want to hear what happened to you today," said Sara as they sat. Her hand fumbling for her pendant.

"Well, the layoff didn't affect me, but it was hard watching people, you know, get escorted out by security, like criminals. Fucking heartless. One guy they let go, Mike, he bought a house last year. And Lisa? She just got back from maternity leave. You could see it in their faces, Sar. They didn't expect it, and there was nothing they could do."

Sara reached over and grabbed Jon's hand, her fingers tightening around his. A house. A baby. The very things they'd been dreaming about now felt like cliffs instead of milestones.

Jon exhaled, rubbing his temple. "I hate that this is how it works. But the upside is, they've asked me to transition into one of the open account executive positions."

Sara released her breath. "I'm sorry about the layoffs, but this is good for you, isn't it? It's what you've been working towards."

"Career wise, yes... financially, yes. It'll be a bump in base pay and there are the commissions to consider... but it'll mean more travel for prospect visits and conferences. Also, more pressure on me, since I'll have a quarterly number on my head... I have until Monday to consider and accept the move. I am leaning towards yes, but wanted your input."

"You already know I support your decision," she said, squeezing his hand.

"Well, we still have a few days to talk about how it will affect us, and... what's wrong?"

She frowned. "This is going to put a crimp in our baby-making rhythm."

Jon blinked. "Our... rhythm?"

She nodded gravely. "Jon, momentum is everything."

******

WEDNESDAY MAY 8 2024 | 10 AM | Sara

Sara wrapped her hands around her coffee mug, letting the warmth seep into her fingers as she settled into the chair in Jon's home office. Her laptop screen glowed in front of her, the off boarding call set to begin in just a few minutes.

Her last official meeting with the agency. A clean break. A fresh start.

Her phone buzzed in the all too familiar vibration pattern against the desk, breaking her focus, and twisting her stomach before she even glanced at the screen.

Julie Williams.

Her mother's smiling face stared back at her, waiting, expecting.

She hovered her finger over the slider, guilt and anger warring in her chest.

The last time they spoke, Julie was still in her delusional fog, and Sara was having none of that and lay into her mother for destroying their family.

Aunt Cassie told Scott that their mother was coming out of her fog. She saw the destruction she caused.

But was that even possible?

Could a person really wake up and regret it all that quickly?

She wasn't ready for this conversation.

Her thumb still hovered over the screen, locked in place. Then, just as quickly, she hit decline.

The call went to voicemail, leaving only silence in its wake.

Sara set her phone face-down on the desk.

Faces populated the video call squares as her meeting was getting ready to start. She watched their smiling faces as they spoke and laughed. But for her family, time seemed suspended in this painful limbo.

Sara straightened in her chair and forced a polite smile.

She would deal with her mother when she was ready.

Not today.

******

THURSDAY MAY 9 2024 | 10 PM | Brooklyn

Scott closed the apartment door behind him and latched it before placing his bag on the kitchen counter. The commute between Westchester and Brooklyn still sucked, but his father's mood had improved. Sara's visits had been a big help for both of them.

Their conversation over dinner tonight, however, was... interesting.

It was a raw moment, one of those rare times his father let his guard down. He had talked about not just dating anyone, but carefully choosing the right partner. Because the wrong choice could put his future in jeopardy.

Scott had nodded along but later, as he looked around the home he grew up in, the house that had once been so full of love, that still carried echoes of the life his parents built together, he couldn't reconcile it.

His mother was the right choice. She and Dad had decades of love, a family, a life together. And then... it crumbled. All those years, all that history, and it still wasn't enough. So how do you ever know? How do you trust that love isn't just a time bomb waiting to go off?

That's what scared him.

People didn't start out broken. They didn't walk down the aisle expecting to ruin each other. But it still happened. It happened to his parents. It could happen to anyone.

His father made it sound simple... choose wisely, and you'll be fine. But in Scott's world, things weren't that easy.

Dating now was different. People were casual with commitment, quick to jump ship when things got hard. They wanted excitement, endless choices, and guarantees that didn't exist.

And Scott... he wasn't sure if he could risk it.

With a sigh, he took his time putting his jacket away, grabbing a glass of water, delaying the inevitable before moving to his desk.

As he emptied his bag, the letter hit his desk and flattened against his keyboard. It was the latest letter from his mom to his dad.

Second one in the last two weeks. Unopened.

His chest tightened as he reached for it, running his fingers over the envelope. Crisp edges. Unread words. Unanswered pleas?

Dad refused to open them.

So Scott brought it home and placed it on the shelf with the first one. He expected the pile would continue to grow.

Aunt Cassie was right. Mom was acting more like herself.

The letters were the proof. His mother would write when she had something important to say. She felt that ink on paper gave her intentions a sense of permanence an email or text could never deliver.

He compared the script on the letters. The letterforms on the first letter were shaky, less controlled. The second letter had a solid cursive script. He took that as a sign that she was getting better.

Maybe that was a good thing. Maybe it wasn't.

Either way, Dad didn't want to see them.

And Scott wasn't going to read them.

At some point, whether or not they wanted to, they were going to talk.

Until then, he would keep the letters safe.

******

Friday, May 10, 2024 | 9 AM | Cassie

Cassie set the yogurt bowls down gently on the outside table, the morning sun casting soft shadows across the deck. The breeze was light, rustling the leaves, carrying the scent of fertilizer and coffee.

Normally, it would have been peaceful.

But peace had no place at this table.

Julie sat where she had every morning since she arrived, her hands wrapped around a cup of untouched coffee, staring at nothing.

Three days.

Three days, and Cassie had yet to see her finish a meal.

The proud, vibrant little sister she had always known was gone. Replaced by this hollow-eyed stranger who jumped at shadows and whispered regrets in her sleep.

Cassie settled into the chair across from her, observing her. "Jules, you need to eat something."

Julie's fingers tightened around the cup, but she didn't look up. Her voice was flat, mechanical.

"Maybe later... I'm not hungry."

Cassie exhaled, leaning on the table. "You've said that every day this week."

Still, nothing.

Julie's gaze remained distant, fixed on something Cassie couldn't see.

Sara hadn't picked up or called her back. Again.

Julie closed her eyes, her lips pressing into a thin line.

The last time they spoke, Sara had been furious, hurt, and unwilling to listen. Anger and delusion fueled their last call, with Julie twisting the truth to fit the story she had been telling herself for months.

She had justified everything. She needed to.

But that was before.

Before she had woken up to the wreckage, she left behind. Before, she had seen herself through her daughter's eyes, not as a strong woman reclaiming her freedom, but as a selfish one who had destroyed her family.

Julie swallowed hard, her fingers trembling slightly as she gripped the mug.

Sara had changed.

No.

She had changed her daughter. She destroyed the bond between them, the trust. And now, she was facing consequences she never considered in her ego trip toward freedom and empowerment.

A bitter taste settled on her tongue as she looked around the enclosed backyard.

"This must be what freedom feels like." She thought.

Cassie watched her carefully, reading the storm in her sister's silence.

"Julie..." she said softly. "What are you going to do?"

Julie finally looked up, her hollow eyes meeting Cassie's.

"I don't know," she whispered. "I don't know if I can fix this. I didn't mean to hurt anyone..."

Cassie crossed her arms. "You don't get to say you didn't mean to hurt anyone, Jules. That's not how this works."

Julie exhaled sharply, looking away. "I don't know what else to say."

And that was the truth. Because if she admitted she had done this, she would have to accept that there was no fixing it. No neatly tied-up resolution. No heartfelt apology that could glue back the shards of the life she shattered.

But maybe, if she could talk to Sara and Scott, if she could explain...

Her stomach twisted violently before she could finish the thought.

Cassie studied her for a long moment before reaching over, placing a hand over Julie's.

"Maybe it's time you stop thinking about how to fix it," she said gently. "And start thinking about how to be better."

Julie let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

"I have a friend that can help. I'd like you to talk to her," said Cassie. "I'll leave her business card here next to the bowl for you to decide."

The gold lettering caught her attention. Julie hesitated before reaching for it.

For a second, she wished she could go back. Not just to before the affair, but before the distance, before the resentment, before she felt like a ghost in her own life. Before she convinced herself that chasing something new meant she had to burn everything old.

But there was no going back.

Dr. Ellen Bowne, Licensed Therapist.

Her fingers traced the embossed letters as her chest tightened.

Gripping the card in her hand, Julie nodded, closing her eyes.

******

FRIDAY MAY 10 2024 | 11 PM | Westchester

The house felt wrong without her. Too quiet. Too empty.

Even anger was preferable to this void.

Tony walked past their half-empty bedroom closet, his jaw tightening. But the scent of her perfume still clung to the air, stubborn and lingering, like a ghost refusing to leave.

He hadn't slept in this room since she left. At first, it had been out of rage. Now? Now it was something worse.

A kind of exhaustion that burrowed into his bones.

He grabbed a pillow and an extra blanket, moving toward Scott's old bedroom. His new bedroom.

Tony sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the unopened envelope resting on his nightstand.

The third one in two weeks.

The first letter? Straight to the drawer, then to Scott. The second? He barely glanced at it before also giving it to Scott.

But this one?

His fingers hovered over it.

It sat there waiting.

Waiting for him to give in.

He exhaled sharply, rubbing his face before reaching for his glass of bourbon on the nightstand. The liquor burned as it went down, but it didn't do what he needed it to.

Didn't dull the memories. Didn't stop him from seeing her.

The way she used to wake up before him, just to steal five extra minutes of quiet together.

The way she used to rest her hand on his knee at dinner, just to feel connected.

His jaw clenched.

He hated her for what she had done. For what she had stolen from him, from their family.

And yet...

A part of him needed to know.

To see if she had any remorse. To see if she understood the depth of the damage she caused.

But another part of him, the part that had spent decades loving her, fighting for her, believing in them, knew better.

Because if he read it?

If he let her voice in, even just on paper, he wouldn't be able to ignore the part of himself that still wanted to believe in her.

And that... that was the most dangerous thing of all.

His breath came out slowly, measured. Without another thought, Tony grabbed the letter and shoved it into the drawer.

Not tonight.

Not yet.

Maybe never.

He turned off the bedside lamp, settling into the stiff unfamiliarity of Scott's old bed.

But even with the lights off and the house silent...

He wasn't sure if he'd ever sleep right again.

******

FRIDAY MAY 10 2024 | 7 PM | Sara and Em

The sunset bathed the city skyline in warm golds and purples, the last rays of daylight flickering against their wine glasses.

On the balcony, Sara and Em sat with their legs stretched out, a comfortable warmth of nostalgia between them.

They had been laughing about an awkward memory from college, something about tequila and an unfortunate karaoke attempt, but as the laughter faded, the conversation took a quieter turn.

"When did you start with the plants?" asked Em, pointing at the planters near the balcony rails.

"A few weeks ago, after Jon came back from his trip. I need to get practice in for the future."

"Ah yes, the planned white picket fence future," said Em, rolling her eyes.

"It's important to me."

"I know," said Em, touching her hand, "but I'm impressed. How did you get flowers to bloom in a couple of weeks?"

"Green thumb," Said Sara with a shrug, swirling the wine in her glass, watching the deep red catch the light.

"I talked to Jon about it," she murmured.

Em raised an eyebrow. "About what?"

Sara hesitated. "About my fear of losing him."

Em stilled, her fingers tightening around her glass for a split second before she took a slow sip. When she set it down, her usual sharp confidence was missing.

"I get it," she blurted, her voice softer than before.

Sara glanced at her, surprised.

Em stared into her wine like it might hold the answer to something she couldn't put into words. She twirled the stem of the glass between her fingers, the playful edge in her demeanor fading.

"I joke about being fine with being single," Em continued, voice low. "But I'm terrified."

Sara set her glass down, her attention fully on her. "Of what?"

Em hesitated before letting out a breath. "What if I've missed my chance?"

She forced a smirk, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm 28. What if I'm so used to being alone that I wouldn't even know how to let someone in?"

She gave a hollow laugh, shaking her head. "I tell myself I don't need anyone, but I wonder if I'm just too scared to try."

Sara placed a comforting hand on Em's arm, her touch grounding. "I don't think you've found the right guy yet."

Em furrowed her brows. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Sara smirked, tilting her head knowingly. "Think about it. The guys you've dated since college? Either they were obsessed with Zora and your celebrity status, or they thought they could control you."

Em rolled her eyes. "Don't remind me."

Sara grinned. "Exactly. And the few somewhat serious relationships? Muscle-bound immature boys. Your words, not mine."

Em let out a giggly groan, taking another sip of wine. "You know... That's depressingly accurate."

Sara nudged her playfully. "You haven't met the guy that challenges you. The one who sees you, the real you. Not Zora, not the influencer, not the wildcard. Just Em."

Em let out a breath, her smirk faltering as she traced the rim of her glass. "Maybe."

Sara leaned back, watching the city lights flicker to life in the distance. She nudged Em's leg with her foot.

"Plus, I think you scare most guys away."

Em arched a brow, feigning offense. "Excuse me?"

Sara grinned. "You are kind of a lot."

"Yeah, well... maybe they should run," Em said, shaking her head.

The playful moment settled into a comfortable silence, the weight of Em's words lingering in the air between them.

Sara swirled the last sip of wine in her glass before setting it down with a knowing smile.

"Well," she said, nudging Em's shoulder. "I'm on your side and hoping that tomorrow is your lucky day..."

Em huffed a laugh but didn't argue. "Yeah. That might be nice for a change."

Instead, she stared out at the skyline, letting herself wonder, for the first time in a long time, if maybe, just maybe, she was finally ready.

Chapter 03 | BBQ Outside

SATURDAY MAY 11 2024 | 1PM | Jon & Sara's Apartment Building

Jon pushed his butt into the handle of their apartment building's back door, opening it as he spun into the warm spring day. His hands were full, carrying a briquet bag and a pouch of hardwood. Children's laughter and music from multiple speakers joined in the scents of grilling meats.

Jon loved the extras the developers built in for tenants that improved life in the apartment complex.

While Sara loved power walking through the floral paths that connected the buildings, Jon enjoyed the gated BBQ pits that circled the playground of each apartment building. Hip high gates enclosed the grill and the two picnic tables, providing a level of privacy for when they ate.

Approaching the enclosure, he saw his brother-in-law, Scott, putting ice in the cooler. Scott had become a second brother to Jon. Their love of team sports, working out, and similar moral ideas bonded them as family.

"Hey, a little early?" asked Jon, placing the cooler on the ground by the grill.

"Hey bro, yeah. I was with dad this morning." Scott replied, clasping Jon's hand, "Easier to come straight here than go back and forth to Brooklyn."

"No worries, always good to see you. How's dad doing?" asked Jon

"Better. He's added Maiden and Priest to the Sabbath playlist."

Jon smirked. "Good to know he's processing his emotions the metal way."

Scott laughed. "Yeah. Talking with Sara the last couple of weeks has really helped."

"I'm glad to hear it. Sara says that the divorce is still on, though."

"Oh yeah, no changing his mind on that front. And mom didn't help her case by disappearing for a week before showing up at aunt Cassie's. Nah, he's done. They haven't talked in like three weeks." Said Scott.

"That's going to be tough when they finally start talking. I'm glad that she's physically ok though." said Jon.

"100%. It was a rough few days when we couldn't find her. Is the beer cooler good here, or by the table?" asked Scott.

"Next to the food table is fine. Grab a couple of beers out of the smaller one. They've been on ice since this morning," as Jon checked the temperature on the grill.

"Cheers."

"Thank you sir," as the clinking bottles added to the playground noise

******

"Is your dad coming today?" asked Em, as they walked out of the apartment and towards the elevator bank.

"No," Sara said, frowning. "Scott and I tried, but he's still feeling... reclusive. I think he's trying to envision what his life will be like without her."

"That sucks. It would've been good to see him and possibly cheer him up a little."

"Yeah. We're not even close to what the new normal is for our family."

"What about your mom... Have you reached out to her?"

"No... It's been weeks since I spoke with her." Sara stopped mid-stride, her breath catching in her throat. "I just... I don't know what to say to her, Em. One minute I want to call her and scream, and the next... it feels like there's this... huge, empty space."

She turned, her green eyes clouded with confusion. "What do I even ask? Do we gossip about her experiences and compare dick sizes... OR do I just dive in and ask her why she felt entitled to cheat on dad and ruin our family?"

Em looked at her friend and saw that she was still struggling with the aftereffects of her mother's actions. "Or... you could just start with how are you... and see where it goes."

Sara let out a breath before walking into the elevator. "Maybe... but not today."

"Well, at least you have Monday to look forward to? Still excited?" asked Em.

"Actually... more so. I'm ready for this. I can't wait to start. I never realized how freeing it was to leave a job that you didn't even realize was holding you back," said Sara.

The elevator pinged at the ground level and moments later; they were outside the apartment building, walking towards the picnic areas. Em carried the paper products; napkins, cups, and plates, while Sara brought the cutlery container and the dips that she made.

"Makes sense. You were comfortable in the daily grind at the agency and didn't notice. Happens to everybody. I'll miss seeing you and talking at lunch, but I'm proud of you for making the jump."

"Going from seeing each other every day to a few times a week is going to be different. I'll miss you too. Does this mean that we'll see less of each other as we grow up and meet boys?" laughed Sara.

Em giggled. Growing up had become one of Sara's go to jokes as she navigated the changes in her life. "Not if I can help it. But I am open to sharing you with the right boy," she said with a wink, "otherwise you are stuck with me."

Sara replied with a big smile. She could not have wished for a better friend. In her wildest dream, things would go well between Em and Stephen today, leading to a future where Em was further embedded in her family. But she was worried that Em's highlight color choice for today.

Personally, she loved how daring and playful Em was with her hair. Em would usually dye the ends of her naturally auburn hair, so that it looked like an airbrush effect as the color would fade back to natural color. Blue to red, yellow to red, whatever color fit her mood.

But today Em went bolder than she could remember. She took a thick solid lock of hair from her front left side and split dyed it white. It flowed over her face and the crescent moon shaped freckle. She looked very striking. "But would it be too much for Stephen?" She wondered.

"If so, he would miss out on an amazing girl," she thought. And Sara was on a mission to make sure that didn't happen.

"Hellooooo boys!" screamed Em as they turned into the BBQ pit.

"There she is. Party can start now," said Jon with a big smile.

The girls placed their items on the table. Sara went to greet her brother Scott and get an update on their father, as Em walked up to Jon, gave him a quick kiss before embracing him in a deep hug.

"I never thanked you for being there for Sara when I was in Cali."

"No worries. I love her, and she couldn't stay disillusioned forever. Her mom's mess finally gave me a chance to talk to her about it. So I took it."

Embracing once more, they locked eyes.

"You remember our first kiss the night we dragged drunk Sara back to the dorm from the frat party?" asked Em.

"I remember us trying to make out, while drunk, for about 5 minutes. Is that the kiss you mean?"

"Ha! Right? Sloppy drunk kisses, my left eyeball still feels like it's out of socket!" said Em, smiling. "Do you ever wonder... What if? Like what if you didn't stay with Sara at the dorm and instead came back to the party with me?"

"Hard not to with you constantly insinuating sex between us. But truthfully, not for a while. You?"

"No... Not for a while... It's funny how we are such good friends and love the same girl, but just didn't feel the spark for each other... You know it's never going to happen, right?"

"Of course... that's why I don't get riled up when you sex bomb me or Sara."

"Jon, I love you like a brother. Sara, however, is my sister, and I love her deeply. But if I was ever going to be open to being with a woman or in a throuple relationship, you two are the only people on this planet that I would ever do that with."

"See... there you go again with the sex!" laughed Jon with raised hands before drawing Em in a hug. "... I love you too, sis, but, like you said, it'll never happen. Neither Sara nor I would be open to that."

Em smiled, releasing herself from the hug. "That girl can surprise you with what she's capable of under the right conditions," Em said. "You should ask her about the day you walked in on us in our dorm room, the day we got our emails about making the D1 team."

Jon tilted his head and furrowed his brows in surprise.

"Aaaaaanyway, I have a certain other brother to get reacquainted with. He is coming today... right?"

"Yea, he texted a few minutes ago... looking for a parking spot. Should be here in a few. Em, go easy on him. The thing with Laurie broke him a bit," said Jon.

"You know I will..." said Em as she turned and looked Jon in the eyes. "This is an exploratory mission, not an assault... and if we have the right sparks, I have the right glue to put him back together." Said Em, slapping her ass as she walked towards Scott.

"My brother has no idea what's coming his way..." said Jon, nodding his head.

"If he's the man that I remember, he could be in for the ride of his life..."

"Hey baby bro," said Em as she and Scott embraced.

"Em! So, are you ready to give up on Jon and throw all that love my way?"

"Hah! Sorry, babe, but it would be like dating Sara."

"Come on now... I have some notable differences from my sister."

"Don't I know it. Anyway, tiger, we have other plans for you."

"Hmm?"

"You'll see..." as she walks to help Sara finish setting up the appetizer table.

2 PM | Stephen & Liv

"Hey everyone!" said Stephen.

They all turned their heads to see Stephen carrying a bag, closely followed by a smiling and waving Liv.

"Found a lost soul for you and brought wine. Where do you want it?"

"Hey Stephen." Waved Em. "Right here at the appetizer table."

"It was nice meeting you and thank you for your help," said Liv

"No worries. Pleasure was mine." as he continued towards Em.

"Glad you made it," said Sara, giving Liv a hug.

"Me too. The flowered paths are beautiful. I kept walking and I guess I went too far. It's such a nice complex, and this BBQ and playground area are really cool."

"Thanks. Jon and I love it. It's an easy commute to the city, but far enough out that it doesn't feel like the city... and we can even shop at local farms."

"Nice." said Liv.

"Come on. Let me introduce you," said Sara, grabbing Liv's hand.

"Hey everyone. I'd like to introduce you to Olivia. She works at the agency as a copywriter on EM's team. Olivia, you know Em, my brother-in-law Stephen, who rescued you. That's my husband Jon, and this is my brother Scott."

"It's nice to meet everyone. Thank you for having me over and please call me Liv. I look forward to speaking and getting to know you all."

With a curled lip, Scott gave Em a sideways glance. Em responded with an exaggerated toothy grin while shaking a raised thumb.

******

The group settled into the BBQ area, drinks in hand, laughter and conversation rising with the warm afternoon air.

Stephen joined Jon at the grill, catching up as Jon spritzed the meats with vinegar and seasoning, while across the lawn, a sharp voice cut through the chatter...

"That bitch!" Em shouted, mid-conversation with Liv and Sara.

Heads turned as the trio huddled near the picnic table, clearly deep into a story about Sara's recent run-in with Tessa at Evergreen.

Scott shook his head as he sat by the back table and tuned his guitar. He loved playing for his friends and family. A tradition that started with his grandfather. Whether at a friend's house, Sara's apartment, or home with his parents, people loved to settle down with a drink and sing songs together.

The tuning went easy, as his guitar was never far from being perfectly tuned. He played or practiced every day, either at his apartment, the work studio, or with his local bar band Urban Echo.

Placing his snark tuner back in the case, Scott grabbed a pick and strummed some chords to test the sound. He broke into the strum patterns for an Eagles song, then shifted over to Lemon Eyes.

Liv glanced over when she heard the music. She easily recognized the Eagles song as her mom and dad were fans, but the second song, with its distinctive strum and pick pattern, was unexpected. She didn't know too many people that knew Meg Myers in her circle. Especially not guys.

She hummed along, singing the lyrics to herself as she walked over to Scott. She smiled as she sat near him on the bench, listening to him play.

Scott's fingers danced across the strings, the familiar tune filling the air between them. Liv tapped her foot as her humming turned into singing.

Her eyes followed the movement of his hands as Scott's voice joined hers with a smile. Reaching the end of the song, Scott placed his guitar on the table.

"You play like you own the world," Liv murmured.

Scott looked up, grinning. "And you sing like you're hiding something."

"Hi, I'm Liv," she said, smiling, reaching across to shake his hand.

"I remember. I'm Scott. You sing very well, you know. You in a band?"

"Oh, no! Absolutely not," she said, laughing, their eyes lingering a second longer than necessary, "but thank you. You, however, play amazingly well. Are you in a band?"

"Yeah, I am. It's with a group of college friends we call ourselves Urban Echo. Mostly local gigs, bars, and clubs downtown or around Brooklyn. Nothing big, but we get a good crowd and it keeps us sharp."

"Urban Echo. I'll have to keep an eye out for flyers."

"Well, I'm not sure when we might play again. Our singer just got married and our drummer is dealing with family issues. I'm considering playing some open mic nights to keep going, though."

"You would be great at that. I can tell. What did you mean when you said I sing like I'm keeping a secret?"

"It's like you're keeping your voice to yourself. Not wanting to let others hear it. Keeping it low key."

Liv shrugged. "Thanks, but outside of family, I'm strictly a shower singer."

"Well, thank you for singing with me."

"My pleasure. Sara mentioned you work in music. What do you do?"

Scott smiled, glancing over at Sara, who was watching them from across the yard. "Of course she did... I'm a sound engineer at Republic Records. I work with all the equipment, capturing sound, mixing, editing, getting everything ready for final release."

"Way cooler than what I'm doing. I'm a copywriter at the agency with Sara and Em. Well... just Em now. It pays the bills," Liv said with a shrug, "but my stories? That's where my heart is. I want to write books, TV shows, movies... anything where I can let my creativity fly."

"That's awesome," he said, studying her for a beat. "I like how your eyes lit up talking about it."

He smiled again. "Music's my dream too--I just haven't figured out the right lane yet. Ever thought about writing lyrics?"

"I used to make up songs when I was little. They were silly... but fun. Now I'm taking online classes, trying to learn how lyrics actually work. I want to write something real. Mature. Still a work in progress."

"Nice." He stood and brushed the grass from his jeans. "I'm grabbing a drink and some food. Can I get you anything?"

"I'll come with... if that's okay."

"Please," he said, gesturing toward the table.

As she stepped past him, her hand grazed his arm. Light, almost accidental, but enough to make him glance down. Their eyes met for a brief second, a spark flickering between them before Liv turned with a small smile and kept walking.

Scott hesitated, then followed, that flicker still dancing behind his grin.

3 PM | Stephen & Em

Em glanced over at Scott and Liv, shoulder to shoulder, laughing at some shared joke as they added vegetables and red pepper hummus to their plates. Her usual confident edge softened as she watched them.

"You know," Em said quietly, leaning toward Sara, "watching those two... kind of reminds me of what I'm missing."

Sara gave her a sideways glance, smirking. "Then why are you still sitting here with me? Go talk to your man. Whatever, just go."

Before Em could respond, Sara's phone buzzed. She glanced down.

"Ah. Evie and Alex just got here. I'm heading to the front to grab them."

Em stood, exhaling with a small shake of her head. "Okay... here goes nothing."

Sara grinned. "Good luck."

Glancing around, Em saw Stephen by the beer cooler and walked over to him.

"Hey... Does Jon still need you by the grill, or can I steal you away so we can catch up?" asked Em.

"Nah, he's good, Em. We were just catching up. What can I get you?" said Stephen.

"I'm feeling white, please." Stephen poured a cup of wine while grabbing a beer for himself.

"Thank you, sir," said Em.

"You're welcome." replied Stephen. Em noticed him furrow his eyebrows as he looked at her lock of white hair.

"What! Something in my hair?" she said, backing away and swatting at her front lock.

Stephen laughed "No! Sorry... You're good. I was just thinking that I don't think I've ever seen you with the same hair color since I've known you."

Em giggled. "Phew. That's a relief. Not a fan of the white lock?"

"Actually, I really like it. The problem I'm having is with your naturally red hair."

"Huh?" confused look.

"You remind me of two characters from this book series I love. I can't decide if you are more Ce'Nedra or Polgara? They're both beautiful on their own, sure, but completely opposite personalities."

"Shut up! You read the Belgariad?" said Em, in a raised voice.

"And the Mallorean. You know them?" said Stephen with raised eyebrows.

"Yes! In my top 10 faves of classic fantasy. How did I not know this about you? You read fantasy novels?"

"I do. It was my way of getting away from my family's problems. Jon played sports and worked out. I had school and my books."

"Ah... Jon has mentioned some things in passing about that. However, I would say that you also work out a bit." She said, squeezing his biceps.

"That's... recent. Working out has helped me get through the breakup of my engagement."

"Right... I heard that from Sara."

"Well, good to know that everyone is talking about my problems."

"Stop. They love you, and I'm really sorry that happened to you. You didn't deserve what she did."

"Thanks, but its old news. Oddly enough, I'm not as broken up as I thought I would be. Maybe she wasn't the one after all," said Stephen.

"Well, that's a great attitude. I haven't gotten close enough to an actual relationship yet, let alone finding the one. I don't know if you've tried getting out there, but dating sucks."

"That's what my friends keep telling me. But I haven't tried yet. Figured I could use a little me time, for now," said Stephen.

"I understand. I'm kind of doing the same thing."

"Maybe we can exert our wills and summon the right person for us," said Stephen.

"I don't think that's how you're supposed to use the Will and the Word, but I'm willing to try," said Em playfully jabbing her elbow at his side.

Stephen laughed as they walked towards the tables.

******

Sara made her way through the gates towards the front of the building, letting the gentle spring breeze weave through her hair. Overhead, the budding trees stretched their branches toward one another, forming a delicate canopy of light green. Their shadows shifted and danced across the path, moving with the wind.

She drew in a deep, contented breath, letting the crisp air settle in her chest. There was something about this moment, something invigorating. She felt... alive. More than alive. Rooted. As if the earth itself was humming beneath her feet, welcoming her home.

The day was off to such an amazing start.

She and Jon were in a great place.

Em was reconnecting with Stephen.

Liv and Scott seemed to click effortlessly.

Then she heard it.

"Sara..."

A whisper, barely more than a breath, yet it sent a shiver curling down her spine.

She turned sharply, heart thudding, eyes sweeping the path behind her.

Nothing.

No one.

Just the trees, swaying lazily in the breeze, their leaves rustling like distant voices.

She swallowed. Had she imagined it?

From the distance, Em glanced up, caught her eye, and waved her forward with a grin.

Shrugging, she turned and caught sight of Evie by the front gate, standing close to someone she didn't recognize. "I guess Alex couldn't make it," she thought, a flicker of disappointment passing through her. But then, she noticed the way Evie stood, angled slightly inward, speaking in hushed tones. There was something intimate about the scene.

Sara approached with a wave and a warm smile as Evie stepped into her friend's embrace.

"Sara, I would like to introduce you to Alessia. She's the chef at Evergreen."

The words registered in Sara's brain as she tilted her head, but the confusion in making the connection was clear to Evie. Sara hesitated for a second, her mouth hanging open. But she quickly recovered.

Alessia furrowed her brow and tilted her head right back.

"Oh! I'm so sorry. Alessia, It's a pleasure to meet you. Welcome to our home," said Sara.

"Grazie, è un piacere. Nice to meet you. Evangelina speaks well of you."

"I appreciate that. Evangelina, however, allowed me to believe that you were a man instead of a beautiful woman."

Evie laughed, her hands covering her mouth. "I'm sorry, you just kept driving straight on with that idea. I couldn't find the right spot to tell you."

"No worries." Said Sara with a hug. "Come on, let's get you some drinks."

As they followed Sara, Evie's gaze fixated on the budding flower gardens, while Alessia, inhaling deeply, smiled at the delicious scents of roasted meat.

"Hey everyone!" called out Sara. "I want to introduce you to Evie and Alessia. Em, Liv and I know them from the Evergreen tavern in NY."

The group came together to greet Evie and Alessia. Jon took the antipasto tray from Alessia and brought it to the main table. He placed the dessert trays in a cooler and returned to the grill to spritz the meats.

"Alessia, I must say you are the most beautiful man I've ever met," said Em.

"Yes, I have heard that already today," said Alessia, as they laughed amongst the confused looks.

"Yes, ok, fine... Sara needs to learn to read the room better and not think so straight. Jeez. Anyhow, now that we're all here, please enjoy drinks, conversation and appetizers. At about 5/5:30, we'll go upstairs for a buffet style barbeque dinner," said Sara.

Jon looked up at the laughter and saw Sara's beet-red face. Even while embarrassed, she walked around to her guests, making introductions and indulging in small talk.

After spritzing the meat, he left the pit area and grabbed a plate of appetizers for himself and Sara. He walked towards her and gave her a kiss on the forehead before they sat on the picnic table.

******

As plates were passed around, and glasses refilled, Liv leaned forward with a playful grin.

"Okay. Since I'm new here, let's do a round of fun facts. One thing about you. Something funny, weird, or just unexpected."

She looked around the table.

Sara raised a brow. "Define fun."

"Fun as in... surprise us."

Em groaned. "Ugh, I'd rather play Never Have I Ever. At least then someone ends up making out with the wrong person."

Liv didn't miss a beat.

"Yeah, well, some of us prefer to learn names before swapping saliva. Sara, you start."

✦ SARA

Sara shook her head with a laugh.

"Hard pass. You all already know way too much about me."

Em raised a brow.

"C'mon. One fact that doesn't involve spreadsheets or your sex life."

Sara smirked.

"Those are the two things I'm good at." She said, winking at Jon.

A few laughs rippled around the table as she took a sip of wine.

"I'm just here to observe. And possibly judge."

Liv grinned. "Fine. One round of fun facts. Weirdest job? Secret skill? Go."

She gestured toward Stephen.

✦ STEPHEN

Stephen set down his drink and gave Liv a mock-suspicious look.

"You're sure this is a safe space?"

"Totally," she said.

"Well, in the daytime, I'm a corporate lawyer for tech startups. But at night, other than hanging out with friends, I love to read fantasy novels. And... I play a card game called Nexus: The Convergence."

"Shut up! No, you do not," screamed Em, as heads turned to stare.

"Uh, yes I do. I play competitively. Why?" said Stephen with a grin.

Em took another swig of wine, shaking her head and mumbling to herself.

✦ LIV

"Well, I don't play card games," said Liv, glancing at Em, "but I've been writing stories since I was a little girl. I journal every day, and I've started writing fictional stories, and hopefully soon, song lyrics too. When I was little, I used to act them out with my stuffed animals."

"Was that the adventure story with the kitten and the ten-inch dick?" asked Em, deadpan.

"EM! That was a joke. Not an actual story!" Liv's face turned red as shocked laughter erupted around the table.

✦ SCOTT

Scott cleared his throat and raised a hand.

"You don't need to raise your hand, just go," said Liv.

"I'll go. But I swear, if this leaves the table..."

Liv leaned in, grinning. "No promises."

He held up his hands.

"Fine. I've cried at more Pixar movies than I'm comfortable admitting."

Everyone laughed warmly, not mockingly.

"Okay," Liv said, fanning her eyes. "You might've just won the most emotionally available man award."

Scott gave a mock bow.

"My therapist would be so proud."

✦ EVIE

"So, I currently work as a waitress and bartender at Evergreen, but... I'm also a semi-professional dancer chasing my big break. My dream is to dance on Broadway," said Evie. "I've had minor roles in off-Broadway productions and do a lot of events around the city."

"I love it. I feel so free when I'm performing. I'm still learning, but I feel like I'm getting close."

Everyone smiled and offered words of support, a few already promising to come see her next show.

✦ EM

"My turn." Em tapped her glass. "I don't talk about this often, but I was once on a teen sci-fi show. After three seasons and a couple of TV movies, we got canceled... and I quit acting for the mind-numbing, yet strategically satisfying, world of marketing."

"I've heard rumors about a Starship Academy movie. Are you going back?" asked Stephen.

Em shrugged.

"I've heard nothing about it. If it's happening, it's probably a total reboot. New cast, new everything."

"Did you lose your passion for acting because they canceled the show?" Alessia asked gently.

"No. I loved acting. I would've kept going. But the business side of it is rough... especially when you're a kid. I was luckier than most. My parents are famous, so I had people looking out for me, but still... while most people are good, there were a lot of assholes."

"Ah... but that is true even for a chef," added Alessia with a smile.

As the laughter settled, the energy around the table shifted. The sharp edges of humor softened into something warmer, easier. Stories told, walls lowered.

Sara leaned back in her chair, the buzz of good food and better company settling in her chest. She caught Scott reaching for his guitar case by the table and smiled.

4 PM | Sing A Long

"How are we on dinner, babe?" asked Sara, looking over at her husband.

"On track for 5:30. I'll pack up the meat and go upstairs to finish the prep at 5." replied Jon.

"Great. How about some music before we get ready to go up? Scott brought his guitar, and singalongs are kind of a family thing. Our grandpa started it, and we've just kept it going. So grab a drink, relax, and feel free to jump in. Let's see if our family's oldest tradition still holds up."

"That sounds nice," said Evie, nestling next to Alessia. The others refilled drinks, or grabbed the remaining pieces of prosciutto and parmigiana chunks from the antipasto tray, before finding seats around the tables. Liv sat as close as possible to Scott.

Scott grabbed his guitar from his case and gave it a quick check.

"Ok, I know a lot of rock songs, some pop. I'll start out with some classic ones to sing along to. After that, call out a song you want to hear. I'll play it if I know it."

Scott started out with take it easy, transitioned into landslide, while betterman completed his first set.

Liv watched in awe as his fingers danced across the guitar frets, singing with a big smile. He looked to be in his happy place. Liv stared into his hazel eyes, only to see the light brown bangs of his hair fall across them as he swayed to the music. She wanted to reach out and push that mop of hair back in place, but instead, raised her voice in song to compliment his singing.

Scott looked in her eyes with a smile as she sang along to Mr. Jones, then another of her parents' favorites, Hotel California.

"Can you play desire?" asked Liv.

"U2 or Meg?" asked Scott.

"Meg."

"Yep, but it'll be a scaled down acoustic version, with kid friendly lyrics." he said as he motioned towards the kids playing in the nearby playground.

"Go for it," she replied as Scott broke into the first chords.

Everyone else sat back and smiled, relaxing in the sounds as the singers sang the song to each other.

******

As the music drifted around them, Alessia heard Jon's phone beep. She watched him move toward the grill, her curiosity pulling her along. American barbecue was still a mystery she wanted to understand.

"Hi Alessia. Not into the music?"

"Oh no, he plays very well, and their singing is beautiful... I love food more." She laughed.

"Well, I am honored to have an international chef's help. Your food was excellent the night I was at Evergreen."

"Grazie, but I am always learning and trying new things. Can I ask you about the American barbeque?"

"Of course. I'll do the best I can to answer. NY is not the BBQ capital of the US, and I'm far from being an expert. I watch a lot of online videos trying to learn the right techniques."

Alessia laughed and pointed to herself. "Us serious chefs do that as well."

With a smile, Jon explained how he trimmed the brisket last night, then rubbed his seasoning on the beef, using olive oil as a binder. At 7 AM, he prepped the grill and started cooking the brisket at around 225 degrees, fat side down to protect the meat from the heat.

Every 90 minutes, he spritzed the meat with a mix of apple cider vinegar and water to keep it moist and build a good bark

For the pulled pork, he followed a similar process, slow-smoking it for hours until the meat reached that perfect, fall apart tenderness. Near the end, he brushed on a mop sauce to deepen the flavor.

"Ah, Ok. Allora, we do not cook for so long as you do in Italy, but we grill meats on an open flame. It's called a grigliata. We grill meat spiedini, with chicken, pork, lamb and seafood. We also grill vegetables together with them to make a more complete meal. Our seasoning can be very simple, using only olive oil, lemon and garlic... salt and pepper."

"Meat spidini? What are those?" asked Jon.

"Spi-e-dini. Meat on a skewer... a stick, like a shish-ka-bob." Alessia waving her hands in explanation.

"Ah, ok. Nice." said Jon.

"I look forward to seeing how you cut and present everything. Thank you for explaining this to me," she said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Better than an online video."

"Of course. But, if you want, you can help me package the meat and bring it upstairs and we can prepare together... Sara will get everyone else to clean up and meet us," said Jon.

"D'accordo. That would be great," said Alessia as she helped to clean and pack the grill area.

As the last notes of the guitar faded, Scott finished playing to a round of applause from his friends and the neighbors in the BBQ pits next to them. As he put his guitar away, Sara took charge and organized the group to clean up and pack all their items so they could carry them up to the apartment.

Liv's eyes lingered on Scott as she packed the appetizer trays in a basket.

Chapter 04 | BBQ Inside

6 PM | Dinner Time

Jon and Alessia heard laughter in the hallway just before Sara opened the door and let the guests pour in. The loud chatter died down as the rich, smoky scent of barbecued meats and sides enveloped them in the early smells of summer.

Placing the appetizer remnants on the kitchen counters, they walked to the dining room, taking in the dinner's sights and smells.

The full platters of sliced and shredded meats were placed on the buffet table against the wall, along with a couple of mason jars of Jon's homemade barbecue sauce. Maple Heat was written on a piece of tape stuck to the jars. The sides were placed centrally on the main table, family style.

The individual scents became more distinct as the group moved toward their chairs.

The buttery aroma of cornbread mingled with the sharp, cheesy scent of bubbly mac and cheese. A hint of vinegar from the collard greens added a tangy bite to the sweetness in the air.

Then came the earthy aroma of BBQ baked beans and the citrusy notes of grilled corn. Jon had placed a stack of his homemade naan in two baskets on either side of the table. The entire spread was a feast for the senses.

Sara watched her friends settle into their accepted natural pairs, each couple finding their rhythm in the space. She touched her pendant briefly, drawing comfort from its familiar warmth as she surveyed the room. Then she picked up her glass and gave a toast.

"Okay, short and sweet 'cause I'm starving. Thanks for coming on such short notice. It means a lot to Jon and me. We're so happy to have all of you here, and I can't wait to dig in and celebrate with you guys. Buon appetito!"

Alessia gave Sara a curt nod, her drink raised in solidarity.

As the friends lined up at the buffet table, Sara remained standing to the side, listening to the chatter around the food. She felt two arms pull her back and crush her into a warm hug.

"You look pleased," said Jon.

Sara responded by hugging his arms around her body. "I feel blessed to have you all in my life." She twisted around to give him a tight squeeze. "I love you," she said, punctuating the words with a kiss.

They released the hug and joined the buffet line as conversations flowed around them.

"Jon, this is amazing! On par with my abuela's mojo," Liv exclaimed, taking her first bite of brisket, the smoky flavor lingering on her tongue.

Jon smiled and thanked her as he filled his plate. Sara added brisket and pulled pork to hers, followed by a couple of sides.

"This new batch of Maple Heat sauce rocks," said Scott.

Sara bit into the corn, savoring how the cilantro lime sauce burst across her tongue. Jon had outdone himself. She spotted Em and Stephen in conversation with Evie, Em intentionally bumping her hand into Stephen's as they ate, always followed by a smile, a quiet "excuse me," or prolonged eye contact.

Liv kept sneaking shy glances at Scott, her hand brushing his shoulder as they laughed a little too hard at their own jokes. It was cute, obvious, even. But sweet.

Meanwhile, Jon and Alessia were deep in a serious discussion about bread as they filled their naan with meat and toppings.

Sara smiled, filled up her own naan, and dove into the nearest conversation.

The evening flowed like wine as the group settled into a relaxed rhythm of eating, talking, and laughing. Conversations ebbed and swelled, touching on everything from Scott's open mic nights to unfortunate dating stories, punctuated by appreciative comments about the food.

Jon's jalapeño and maple sauce was the surprise hit, everyone praising the sweet-and-heat balance with both meats.

Evie let Scott know Evergreen was considering opening their basement area for Wednesday open mic nights. She promised to keep him posted once dates were announced.

Sara's eyes misted as she surveyed the scene from the kitchen. Her home brimmed with friendship, good food, and hopefully... romance.

She sighed, realizing that the only thing missing were her parents.

******

As dinner wound down, the group helped Jon and Sara bring plates and platters of leftovers into the kitchen.

Jon and Sara, with Alessia and Evie's help, packed the remaining food into containers and placed them in the fridge. Alessia moved her desserts to the counter and, with a hand on Jon's shoulder, asked him to preheat the oven to 325 degrees. She wanted to warm the sfogliatelle.

Jon grabbed the dark chocolate hazelnut sauce from the fridge and popped it into the microwave to loosen up.

With the kitchen well in hand, Sara turned to Evie. "Want to help me set the table for coffee and dessert?"

"On it," said Evie, as Sara started the coffee brewing and Evie gathered mugs and plates.

"She was a real help to Jon today," Sara said, glancing at Alessia. "She must really love cooking."

"Obsessed, more like," Evie replied with a laugh. "Honestly, we're still figuring each other out. She's a lot of fun, but cooking is like... her whole world. I'm just glad Jon was okay with her jumping in, otherwise she would've been pacing around him all night."

"No worries," Sara said, smiling. "And I'm thrilled for you. She seems like such a great person, besides being absolutely gorgeous... and that accent? Good thing she's not single and into men."

She paused when she saw Evie wince.

"Ugh... what did I miss now?"

Evie gave her a look. "Well... Alessia is more... fluid. She's openly bi."

Sara blinked, then glanced up. Alessia was laughing at something Jon said, her hand still resting lightly on his shoulder.

"Of course she is." She smirked. "Well, guess I'll just have to use that bit of info to tease Jon later tonight."

Evie giggled, shaking her head.

"You are so bad."

7 PM | Lightning

Em smoothed down her shirt as she stepped out of the hallway... she surveyed the apartment and found her intended target sitting by himself on the couch with a glass of wine. She refilled her glass in the kitchen before heading back to the living room.

"So, what's the final consensus, counselor?"

Em dropped onto the couch beside him, one leg tucked beneath her, the other foot on the floor.

"Who did I remind you of most today?"

"Overall... my money's on Ce'Nedra," replied Stephen.

"I am not spoiled. Or bratty."

"Not bratty, and definitely not spoiled... but feisty. Ever since I met you, feisty, sarcastic... and fun."

Em curled her lip as she replied, "I'll accept your judgment, especially since you think I'm fun... but I'm leaving the door open for future reassessment."

"Noted." said Stephen

"Speaking of reassessments... how did I miss your full-on nerd side? We've known each other for almost eight years." asked Em.

Stephen furrowed his brows before responding, "Besides today, when have we ever had a conversation that lasted longer than 5 minutes?"

Em shifted her leg.

"You, Sara, and Jon were always jetting out somewhere, so most of our interactions were quick hellos and goodbyes. At Jon and Sara's wedding, we spent more time helping them and being best man and maid of honor than talking... and at other get-togethers, again... just quick hellos and goodbyes."

Stephen spread his hands out, gesturing around the room. "No one talks about nerdy stuff in this group. Not even you.,"

Em nodded slowly, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass, considering his words.

Her shoulders relaxed, and she found herself caught up in his steady gaze and the way he spoke, calm, assured. Loosening her usual armor.

"Ok, that's true. But I'm always making nerdy comments and references. Anyway, you were never alone. It was hard to talk with you when other women were protecting their turf," said Em.

"Protecting their turf?" Laughed Stephen. "Didn't know I was a piece of land to be claimed."

"You know what I mean."

"I do. I guess our timing was always off," said Stephen.

Em's heart kicked up a notch. He wasn't just listening, he understood. And somehow, that made it feel safe to let him see more of her.

"How long have you played Nexus?" she asked.

"Just after it came out... about seven years? I play in weekly tournaments at a local store, and casually with friends."

"Nice. I haven't played in a while, but I used to run a Gaia Thornheart deck."

"Hmm, primordial ancients and elemental forces. An aggressive, in your face, elemental deck. That suits you." he smiled. "I play an Aetherian deck. My avatar is... Zara Chen. You know... from the Starship Academy expansion."

"You play a Zara deck? You play with me!" screamed Em with her hands in the air.

"Well... your character from the show... I meant the card," said Stephen, taken aback by how loud Em got.

"It's still me. You play with me," said Em, unable to contain her smile.

After a brief breath, "She's a great card for an artifact technology strategy..." continued Stephen, "but yea... She's my favorite character and a big part of my deck... I've won two local tournaments with her and I've qualified to play in regionals next month."

Em felt butterflies flutter in her stomach as Stephen's revelation sank in.

She had hoped to find common ground with him, but the depth of his nerdiness caught her by surprise. Despite being attractive and fit, she never would have guessed that the lawyer shared her passion for Nexus and the Starship Academy universe. Her mind raced, trying to process this unexpected connection, and she found herself uncharacteristically at a loss for words.

"All this time and you've said nothing about playing the game or even watching the show! Why didn't you say something?"

"Em, I'm four years older than you. Imagine my surprise when Jon brings you home and introduces you as his friend from college. Jon and Sara's good friend. It's hardly appropriate for a guy my age to enjoy a sci-fi show meant for kids, let alone harbor a crush on the lead teenage character from it. I didn't want you to think that I was creeping on you. So I said nothing and kept my distance."

"Stephen, I was 19 when we first met at Sara's summer party. Not a child. A four-year difference is not creepy."

"Yes, 19... but a freshman in college, almost two hours away, and not looking for an older boyfriend."

"Fine. But I'm not 19 now... and don't think I didn't hear you say the word crush... as in, you have one."

"Noted." he said as his hand found hers and squeezed.

Butterflies became lightning, sparking through her body.

******

The smell of fresh coffee perked everyone up as Sara called them back into the dining room.

Jon and Alessia had replaced the platters of meat with a trio of beautiful desserts arranged on the buffet table. Sara placed two steaming pots of coffee on the table, along with a couple of bottles of after-dinner liqueurs.

While everyone recognized the deep pan of tiramisu, Alessia explained the lemon and ricotta filled sfogliatelle and her addition of a dark chocolate hazelnut sauce for dipping.

Sara added, "Once Jon decided on BBQ, I thought I'd keep it in theme." She lifted the cover from her own contribution. "Bourbon pecan praline cake. Enjoy!"

As the group eagerly approached the table, Alessia had already cut herself a slice.

She took a forkful, eyes widening at the first bite. The buttery richness hit first, followed by a warm bourbon note that blended perfectly with the crunchy pecan praline frosting. Moist, layered, and indulgent.

The growing hum of appreciation around the room muffled the soft sound she made in response.

Placing her plate down, she approached Sara and slipped an arm across her shoulders.

"Your cake is beautiful. My mouth was alive with the flavors and the different textures... excellent. Thank you for inviting me and Evangelina tonight."

Before Sara could respond, Alessia leaned in and gave her a solid kiss on the cheek. Sara smiled, hugging her back before letting go, and Alessia returned to her desserts.

Catching Jon's grin from across the room, Sara blushed. With a quick brush of her hair behind her ear, she turned and made her way back toward the group.

Conversations drifted into relaxed territory, coffee and liquor preferences, culinary travel stories, and compliments about the desserts passing easily between bites and sips.

On the kitchen counter, away from the hum of voices, Sara's phone lit up.

Her father's name glowed on the screen.

******

Scott walked up to the dessert spread and grabbed a plate. Passing on Sara's cake, as he had many times before, he cut a big slice of tiramisu and added two sfogliatelle. He poured a bit of the dark chocolate hazelnut sauce on the side. He wasn't sure how chocolate and lemon would mix, so... better safe than sorry.

Coffee in hand, he returned to the living room and sank into the couch.

It was a good day, he thought, taking a bite of the sfogliatelle, the crisp layers breaking into the creamy lemon ricotta filling.

Dad was in a better place. Mom was no longer missing and was safe with Aunt Cassie. And Sara... Sara had introduced him to a girl who seemed... real. She had passions and chased them. Spoke her mind and had that creative spark.

And she was gorgeous.

If we could write music together, he thought, that would be the full package.

He dipped the pastry into the chocolate sauce and took another bite. Not horrible. The dark chocolate's bitterness played surprisingly well with the lemon.

A small noise pulled his attention to the balcony. Liv stood just outside, cradling her own dessert. She caught his eye and smiled as he lifted the sfogliatelle in silent approval. She held up her own piece in reply.

He grabbed his plate and coffee and stepped outside.

"Hey," he said softly. "Mind if I join you? Or am I interrupting something important?"

Liv turned, her smile gentle. "Not at all. I was just thinking... I love Brooklyn, but I could get used to this view." She gestured to the skyline, then met his eyes. "And today was amazing. You were amazing."

She hesitated, then nudged his arm. "Thanks for letting me sing with you."

"Thanks for joining in," he replied. "You have a beautiful voice. It's full, strong... you hit highs and lows without cracking. Still surprised you don't sing somewhere."

"Only in my dreams," Liv said with a smile. "And sometimes with my uncle during the holidays when the family gets together. When I try to write lyrics, I like to imagine the music in my head."

"That makes sense. Ever thought about learning an instrument?"

Twirling a lock of hair, Liv turned slightly toward him. "I have. When I was little, my uncle taught me some chords before he moved to Pennsylvania. He even left me his old acoustic. But music lessons were out of the budget for my family. So I've been teaching myself on and off with online videos. No complaints, though. I love my parents. They sacrificed a lot for us. Writing lets me express everything I carry inside."

"How'd you get into playing?" she asked.

"My grandfather. When I was a kid, I'd sit next to him at family parties and just... watch. The way his fingers flew across the guitar, all the sounds he pulled from it, it was magic. He bought me my first guitar when I was five. Taught me twice a week. I practiced hard every other day, not just to impress him, but because I loved it."

"We played together at every family event. He even came on stage with me for school talent shows."

He paused, then added quietly, "He passed away when I was sixteen. He's the reason I chose music as my path. I miss him. But when I play, I feel like he's still with me."

Liv stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him.

"Thank you for sharing that," she said.

They stood there for what felt like forever until Liv looked up and kissed him, brief, warm, unexpected.

Her eyes flew open. "Sorry... I don't usually do that..."

Scott held up his hands. "No worries. That was... really nice."

Liv's smile softened as she met his gaze.

They lingered on the balcony for a few more moments, the silence between them easy now. Inside, laughter and voices rose again, carrying the mood back toward celebration.

With quiet smiles, they gathered their plates and coffee cups and headed back inside.

The others were deep in conversation, the warmth of dessert and connection still pulsing through the room.

******

Evie and Alessia excused themselves to check out the view from the balcony.

Jon surprised Sara with a light swat on the butt before pulling her into a hug.

He leaned in, his breath warm against her ear.

"Seven."

Sara's pulse quickened. The background laughter dulled to a blur as heat crept up her neck, the memory of their unfinished punishment play surging back, vivid and electric.

Tilting her head back, she smirked. "Keep that up, and I'll color-code another Zen hour on your calendar."

Jon chuckled, his chest vibrating against her back as he hugged her tighter.

"Today was a great idea," he murmured, placing a soft nibble near her ear.

"Stephen looks happy. Did you have anything to do with that?" asked Jon.

"Maybe a little..." said Sara.

"And Scott?"

"Maybe a little..."

"So, my little cupid, what else do you have up your sleeves?"

She leaned in closer, her breath teasing his ear as her hand slid to his thigh. "Obviously, more baby-making practice. I'm determined we get it right."

Jon's eyes darkened with amusement and want. "One-track mind, I see."

Sara kissed him once, slow and soft, then pulled away with a grin. "With you? Always."

Jon watched her go, his breathing uneven as she walked toward the hallway.

"At least someone's getting lucky tonight." Said Em, giving Jon a playful swat on the butt.

Her smirk lingered, but for the briefest moment, something flickered in her eyes. Then she turned, her hips swinging as she strutted off toward the girls, back in full Em mode.

8 PM | Pearls

Sara walked out of the hallway and approached the girls. She sighed as snippets of their conversation drifted her way. Em had been hounding Evie about the Evergreen dinner story all day, but Evie had stayed tight-lipped.

Sara had dodged it with a simple, "It was a memorable night for Jon and myself." But now, as she joined the group, she heard Em pressing again.

"Okay, I've been waiting since Tuesday," Em said, exasperated. "It's just us girls now. What really happened at Evergreen?"

Sara slumped her shoulders dramatically.

"Oh, I give up already. Tell her the story or she'll never stop," she said, waving her fingers at Evie.

Evie shot Sara a quick look, then dove in.

"Alright. So Sara and Jon came in for dinner two weeks ago. It was my first time meeting Jon. He was really sweet, but Sara seemed a little... off. I served them appetizers and dinner, but she didn't seem like the girl I'd met the Wednesday before."

"At first I thought maybe she wasn't feeling well, but by the time I brought dessert? I was pretty sure I walked in on her having a massive orgasm."

"What?!" Em practically shrieked. "You and Jon became sexual deviants... publicly... and didn't include me?!"

Sara's cheeks burned as she hung her head, trying to find the right words.

"It wasn't like that!" she protested. "Oh, just hold on..." turning on her heel and walking toward the kitchen.

Everyone laughed as Evie kept going. "They were so cute... and Sara was sooo hot!"

Moments later, Sara returned, phone in hand and eyes narrowed.

"This is the little bitch that destroyed my world that night," she said, holding up her phone. "Well, along with my husband."

She passed it around. On the screen: a pearl-lined thong.

"Oh, my..." Liv's eyes went wide. "And that thick pearl knot goes right over your..."

"I know!" Sara pointed emphatically at the image. "That drove me fucking crazy!"

"No wonder you were so horny," said Evie, clapping her hands. Then she softened. "Oh, Sara... I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to embarrass you."

"You didn't," said Sara, smiling. "I have no regrets. That night was amazing."

"To be honest," said Evie, "it was hard to serve you two without getting excited myself. I practically threw myself at Alessia after work. You inspired me."

"Yes," Alessia purred, slipping behind Evie to wrap her in a hug, planting a soft kiss on her neck. "It was a wonderful night."

"Well," said Sara, grinning widely, "now I know what to get all of you for Christmas."

The girls burst into laughter.

But Em's eyes drifted across the room to where Stephen was laughing with the guys.

She took a sip of her drink and murmured, "Not sure I can wait that long..."

******

Scott excused himself from the conversation, picking up a few empty glasses on his way to the kitchen. It wasn't his party, but he liked helping, especially for Sara and Jon.

He set the glasses on the counter by the sink, then made his way toward the bathroom.

As he reached the hallway, he glanced back at the group. Laughter, conversation, music, everyone seemed fully relaxed. The day had been a blast. Great food, fun people... and three very attractive women added to the mix, even if two of them didn't swing his way.

Not that it mattered. His thoughts were on...

"Whoa, sorry!" he blurted, as his hand flew forward and met empty space. The bathroom door had opened just as he reached for it.

Hands pressed against his chest, stopping his forward momentum. He glanced down and locked eyes with Liv's smiling face.

"There are easier ways to get a hug, you know..." she teased.

Scott caught the doorframe to steady himself, but for once, found no snappy comeback.

"Cat got your tongue?"

"No cats," he managed. "Just thinking... this might be a good time to ask for your number."

Liv raised a brow, amused. "Give me your phone."

He handed it over, and her fingers moved quickly, typing, tapping, then pinging her own. The alert hit both phones.

"There you go," she said, handing his phone back. "And for the record... I'm thrilled you asked."

She leaned up, gave him a quick kiss on the lips, and brushed the mop of hair away from his eyes before stepping past him and disappearing into the living room.

Scott stood there for a second, blinking.

Then he walked into the bathroom and set his phone down on the small stack of hand towels. He smiled as he turned toward the sink to wash his hands, never noticing the silenced call on his screen or the name displayed.

Dad.

******

Sara's laughter mingled with the chatter of her husband and closest friends. The room felt warm and alive, the perfect end to a perfect day.

She caught a few yawns from across the room and felt a small pang of disappointment. The gathering was winding down. The shift in energy was subtle, but she recognized it, the silent cues that it was time to say goodnight.

The boisterous conversations and bursts of laughter softened into phone exchanges and promises to meet up again soon, dinner in the city, drinks next weekend, maybe even brunch.

Evie suggested a group photo, and everyone gathered in the living room, huddling close for a few shots. They made sure every person was in at least one frame, some serious, some goofy, all warm with the glow of the evening.

Then, despite protests from Sara and Jon, the group began helping clean up the apartment.

9 PM | Mom

Sara stood at the kitchen sink, rinsing glasses and platters before loading them into the dishwasher. As Em dropped off the last of the dessert plates, Sara let her thoughts drift through the day.

The party had been a success.

Jon's BBQ meats and her sides had earned high praise. The desserts from Evie and Alessia, and her own bourbon pecan cake, had been the perfect sweet finish.

She smiled to herself, thinking about Liv and Evie folding so naturally into the group. Alessia was a bonus. She'd noticed Jon's subtle interest, but their conversations had been all food and cooking. Still, Sara planned to tease him about it later. Cooking was Jon's nerd obsession, after all.

As the last plate slid into the dishwasher, the doorbell rang, shrill and sudden, slicing through the comfortable hush of the apartment. A second later, came the hard knocks.

Sara exchanged a confused glance with Jon before moving toward the door.

But the moment she opened it, her father's face stopped her cold.

His eyes were wide.

"Dad?... What's wrong!?!"

Sara's heart pounded as she took in his disheveled appearance. His voice was low, like it hurt just to say the words, but she already knew.

"It's your mother..."

"She's in the emergency room."

The blood drained from her face.

The world didn't tilt.

It cracked.

Splintered.

Everything else disappeared, except for one thought, hammering through her mind.

Oh, no... Not like this.

******

End Part One

NEXT

With the dust settling in Sara's personal world, the storm is only beginning for Julie and Tony. Stay tuned as Part Two sets their story in motion towards it's endgame.

******

Bonus Scene

While mentioned by Sara at the end of book one, the scene didn't fit in with the parallel data nights of Sara and Julie. But since Sara told Em and Liv at the BBQ... Here's what happened between Sara and Tessa at Evergreen.

SATURDAY APRIL 20 2024 | 11PM | Evergreen Sphere

A smiling Sara, slightly drunk on emotion, stumbled into the club bathroom. The bass from the dance floor was a distant thrum behind the tile walls. She moved past a few girls, ignoring their lingering stares as she leaned over the sink, cool water splashing onto her flushed face.

A toilet flushed behind her.

"Well, if it isn't the housewife," Tessa's voice slithered through the air. "Out in the big scary city, acting like a cheap slut."

Sara lifted her head, meeting Tessa's smirk in the mirror through damp strands of hair. She exhaled, slow and steady, rolling her eyes as she grabbed a paper towel from the wide-eyed attendant.

"The fuck is your problem, Tessa?" she muttered, dabbing at her face. Then, tilting her head, she smiled. "And yes, I'm definitely a slut... for my husband."

All conversations in the bathroom stopped. The other girls standing near the mirrors exchanged glances, their reflections catching the tension crackling in the air.

Tessa raised a brow, lips twitching, as if she wasn't sure whether to laugh or sneer. Before she could decide, Sara kept going.

"On the prowl for some strange cock to fill the hole in your heart you call a pussy?"

Tessa's smirk sharpened. "At least I'm desired."

Sara stepped closer, her breath laced with alcohol and defiance, her gaze flicking down Tessa's outfit before returning to her face.

"No. You're easy." Her smirk was sharp, cruel. "I knew jealous little bitches like you in college, so desperate for attention. You think fucking everybody will make you whole?"

Tessa's nostrils flared, but her voice remained low, measured. "If I wanted your husband, he'd be mine."

Sara's smirk barely wavered.

"You're pathetic." She leaned in, voice dropping to a near whisper. "You wouldn't stand a chance with a real man, let alone Jon."

Tessa's jaw clenched. Her arms folded across her chest, but Sara wasn't done.

"I'm just glad we got Liv away from you and your... disease."

The words hit like a brick to the ribs.

Tessa stiffened, her breath catching, as her eyes flickered with something unspoken. Shock? Rage? Guilt?

The other girls exchanged glances. Two of them discreetly holding their cells, recording. Everyone waiting for the inevitable explosion. But Tessa didn't speak.

Sara gave her one last look before shoving past, "Excuse me," and reaching for the perfume spritz from the attendant. A flick of the wrist, here. A light mist, there. A tip placed smoothly in the wicker basket as she grabbed a mint.

She turned a single step toward the door, then paused.

"Don't you have a random cock to suck somewhere? Or is he still in the stall?"

Sara's voice was smooth, almost pleasant, just enough to make the words burn deeper.

Then she pushed the door open, letting it swing shut behind her.

Tessa remained frozen. Her breath came too fast, hands clenched into fists at her sides.

The other women in the bathroom avoided her gaze.

Tessa swallowed hard, her nails digging into her palm as her face burned.

"Just you wait, princess..." she mumbled, stepping toward the sink, rage rising like bile in her throat.

Sara, however, was already across the club, stepping to the side of the bar. Her heart slammed against her ribs, adrenaline still riding her veins.

A moment later, she spotted Jon.

Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms tight around his back, exhaling into the warmth of him.

That felt good.

******

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