Chapter 7
After a hearty pep talk over the phone from
her best friend who was an expert in both boys and wardrobes, Sarah found
herself standing in front of the Harper House with high hopes. Her heart
fluttered with excitement and anticipation. She looked down at the brightly
colored floral print on the sundress dress she was wearing. It rested at her
knee and accentuated the figure she always thought was nonexistent until Lance
told her otherwise. As it turns out she’d always had it, she just hid it under
t-shirts and baggy overalls. She wasn’t as big up top as she would have liked
but Lance said that was an easy thing to fix. He said the best thing to do was
to give the guys something else to think about.
“Nothing drives a guy crazy like bare skin.” He
said when he’d pulled the very dress Sarah was now wearing off the store rack.
Sarah’d never worn anything like it but after she tried it on Lance just
wouldn’t rest until it was hers. The spaghetti straps were there purely as
decoration and the only back the dress had was a crisscrossing set of ribbons
that tied into a bow. Sarah could feel the moist summer breeze tickling her
skin and she was suddenly grateful for the hot Michigan weather. The sun had
finally set but it was still warm and the air was a little thick, a typical
summer night. It was the perfect setting for what Sarah was sure would be a
night she was going to remember for the rest of her life. How many years had
she spent wishing Nick would want her to be a part of his life? It was finally happening
and Sarah was not about to let this moment pass her by.
The front of the house was deserted but the
doors were open and the faint sound of voices chattering and music could be
heard coming from out back. It was well past eight but Sarah had learned the
importance of being fashionably late. How is a girl to make an entrance if
there’s nobody there to see it? Normally Sarah wasn’t the type to make grand
entrances but this was her one shot to impress the boy of her dreams and no
doubt there would be plenty of beautiful girls at this party all hoping to win
the same thing she longed for, to be the girl Nick offered to take home at the
end of the evening.
She sighed dreamily at the thought and then
shook off the tiny hint of nerves that had settled in her stomach. “Here goes
nothing.” She whispered to herself as she stepped through the house onto the
back patio.
She stood for a moment appreciating the beauty
of the scene. The pool was illuminated and sparkling lights twinkled in the
large oak trees. There was a grand buffet table and an elegant dance floor in
the middle of the yard. The party was as extravagant as some of the weddings
she’d helped her aunt plan but the Harper’s never were a family to keep things
low key.
During the few moments Sarah stood there
enjoying the scenery she managed to capture the attention of more than a few
pairs of prowling eyes. She could feel the gazes and knew the group of young
men was staring, probably wondering who she was but she wasn’t worried about
them. Her thoughts were fixed on one person and him alone. Nick’s eyes found
her before she saw him and a smile creped across his face. Never taking his
eyes off her, Nick excused himself and pushed his way through the cluster of
envious friends. “Sarah!” He greeted with excitement.
He grabbed her hands to pull her close and
brushed his lips against her cheek. Sarah was determined to stay absolutely
calm and confidant even though her heart was forgetting to beat every so often.
“I see your memory is working properly now.” She teased.
“I’m glad you made it.” Nick answered.
“It’s a lovely party.”
“It is now.” Nick said gazing into her eyes as
if he were love struck.
Sarah’s stomach lurched up into her throat but
she managed to swallow it back to its proper place leaving only a hint of
redness in her cheeks. Nick smiled confidently when she glanced nervously at
her feet. “How about a drink?” he asked and held out his hand out to escort
Sarah to a table piled with refreshments.
He poured her a glass of punch and then one
for himself. Sarah was glad to have something in her hands that would keep her
from fidgeting. “Thank you.” She said and then took a sip. “So, blue and gold?”
Nick looked around at the Michigan color
scheme and shrugged. “My father’s idea. Wolverine pride.”
“You’ll be carrying on the grand tradition
then?”
Nick nodded. “Can I look forward to seeing you
around campus?
“Headed back to California actually, end of
the summer.”
Nick smile dropped from his face into a pout
that made Sarah laugh. “But you just got back.” He whined, “Why would want to
leave again?”
Sarah giggled and Nick’s playful pout turned
serious. “Why did you leave in the first place?” he asked.
Sarah’s heart sank She couldn’t help but think
about the fact that if she hadn’t, she wouldn’t be having this conversation
with him. She wouldn’t be at this party tonight. “I didn’t have a reason to
stay.” She finally answered with a hint of sadness in her voice.
Nick looked at her curiously as if he wanted
to say something but chose not to. Instead he held out his hand to her. “Dance
with me.” He demanded.
Sarah slowly took his arm and followed him
onto the dance floor. Across the yard Deanna stood by the pool showing off her
dress to Mr. and Mrs. Harper. Mrs. Harper fawned over the elegant gown while
Mr. Harper seemed more interested in the cigar in his pocket. “What do you
think?” Deanna giggled pulling at the silky material. “It’s the dress I’m wearing
in the wedding. I thought I would wear it tonight since Nick won’t be there to
see me walk down the aisle in it.”
“It’s absolutely stunning.” Mrs. Harper
gushed, “You’ll nearly upstage the bride.” She turned to her husband who had
yet acknowledge the girl’s attire and nudged him in the side. “Isn’t it lovely
dear?”
“What ever you say honey.” He answered with the cigar now resting
between his lips.
Mrs. Harper waved off the smoke annoyed by her
husband’s disinterest in the matter. “Don’t mind him.” She said, “You look
gorgeous. I’m sure Nicholas will be sad to see you go.”
Mrs. Harper frowned and began scanning the
backyard. “Where is that boy anyway?”
“No doubt playing the role of the dutiful
host. You know how he loves to charm an audience.” Deanna said.
Brian interrupted the women’s laughter. He
kissed his mother hello and then smiled at Deanna. “Just the girl I was looking
for.” He said holding up a briefcase. “I have the partnership agreement all
ready. If you want, I can go over everything with you before you sign it.”
Deanna laughed. “I’ll sign your contract
later.” She said pulling the briefcase from his hand s and setting it at his
feet. “You’re at a party Brian. A little less business, a little more social.”
Brian frowned but then forced a smile. “You’re
right.” He said searching for some sort of compliment. “Nice dress.”
Deanna’s face lit up with approval. “That’s
better.” She said lightly patting his cheek.
Brian rolled his eyes but laughed as he
shrugged her off and repeated the compliment a little more sincerely. “No
really,” he said, “You look nice.”
Deanna’s face beamed and she took a slow spin
to show off all sides of the new dress but she stopped mid turn at the sight of
Nick and Sarah on the dance floor. Brian followed her distressed gaze and was
also shocked to see his brother dancing with another girl. But the moment Nick
turned and Sarah came into view, Brian’s mind drew a blank. He stared
reverently having lost his breath. The smile entered his eyes first and then
spread to his lips as he watched her. It wasn’t until he heard the sharp tone
of Deanna’s voice that he was stirred from his daydream. “Who? Is that?” Deanna
said trying hard not to shriek as she was instantly overtaken with jealousy.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Harper stared at the dancers
with puzzled looks. “Well I’m not quite sure.” Mrs. Harper said.
Brian looked down at the briefcase holding an
unsigned contract and then back into the angered eyes of Deanna and quickly
felt the pressure of the problem at hand. “Oh that’s nobody.” He said trying to
brush her off, “Just an old friend of the family.”
“I’ve never seen her before.” Mrs. Harper
said.
“Sure you have.” Brian said starting to sound
nervous. “That’s Sarah Thompson.”
Mrs. Harper couldn’t believe her eyes and Mr.
Harper choked on the smoke in his lungs. “Dave’s little girl?” he asked
suddenly interested in the conversation. He gave a hearty laugh and added, “Boy
did she ever grow up.”
“Didn’t she move away?” Mrs. Harper said still
somewhat oblivious to Deanna’s mood. Deanna’s eyes narrowed. “Apparently not.”
She scowled.
Brian laughed nervously. “She’s like a sister
to him.” He said.
Out on the dance floor Nick spun Sarah and
then pulled her close… A little too close. “Or a cousin.” Brian choked unable
to take his eyes off the seemingly happy couple.
Deanna’s hands clenched into fists and she
took a step in her boyfriend’s direction but didn’t get very far. Brian held
her hand tightly forcing her to stay put. “You know he loves you.” He assured
her. “You have nothing to worry about.”
“I certainly hope so.” Deanna snapped with a
piercing glare, “I would hate to think I am about to enter something as serious
as a business partnership when my partner is so easily distracted by every
pretty face that looks his way.”
Brian started to sweat. He put his arm
securely around Deanna doing everything he could to keep her from causing a
scene. “Deanna, sweet heart, calm down. You guys have been together for over a
year. Has he ever once run off with someone else?”
Deanna pouted and Brian was relieved to see
her begin to calm down. He also couldn’t believe that the answer to that
question was honestly a “no” as many times in his life as he’s done that. It
took Brian months to believe that Nick was serious about his relationship with
Deanna and now it had been so long that he was actually surprised to see his
brother falling into old habits. “When the song is over I’ll introduce you and
you’ll see that it’s not what it looks like. Trust me. You don’t want to come
across as the jealous girlfriend, do you?”
Deanna thought about it for a moment and
decided that Brian had a point. She didn’t have a reason not to trust Nick and
she didn’t want to leave town in a fight. Brian smiled. “Come on.” He said,
“I’ll get you a soda or something.”
While Brian led Deanna to the buffet table
Nick stared into Sarah’s eyes as he held her close. Neither of them was aware
of anything or anyone around them. To Sarah, time seemed to be standing still.
The entire moment was something out of a dream. Nick slid his arm further
around her back in order to pull her even closer to him. Sarah shuddered at the
feel of his fingers dancing over the strings on the back of her dress. Her skin
melted at his touch and the heat was having just as much of an affect on Nick.
He found himself unable to let her go. He smiled and then looked at her mouth
thinking of what her lips would feel like pressed against his.
Sarah knew the look and averted her eyes when
the redness entered her cheeks. She lowered her head and strand of hair fell
into her face. Nick gently tucked it behind her ear causing her to look into
his eyes once more. “I can’t believe the transformation.” Nick whispered in
awe. “It’s like you’re a whole new person.”
“It’s still me, I just know who that is now.”
Sarah said as she fought the urge to tremble. “Well, that and a little
make-up.”
“Whatever it is, it’s incredible.” Nick said
and then paused a moment to take in the sight of her once more. “You’re
incredible.”
Their eyes locked for a moment and Sarah
nervously stepped on Nick’s foot. “Sorry.” She said forcing a laugh, “I guess
I’m a little more nervous than I thought.”
“Nervous? Of me?” Nick chuckled.
“Of coarse.” Sarah giggled with the blood
rushing back to her face. She took a deep breath and decided to divulge all of
the sentiments that were in the letter she never got the chance to give him. “I
used to dream of a moment like this. The party… the dancing… you…”
The confession surprised Nick and he stared at
Sarah curiously as she continued to spill her true feelings. “I used to watch
you drive past my dad’s shop with the top down and a beautiful girl in the
front seat. I always wanted that girl to be me.”
Nick was flattered. “You never said anything.”
He said with a smile that told her not to feel embarrassed.
“I tried once.” Sarah replied.
“I don’t remember that.”
Sarah drifted off into a memory. “The night
before I left.” She explained. “You were in a hurry. You were late for a date.
A date I wanted so badly to go on.” Sarah laughed replaying the night in her
mind. “I still remember her name,” she confessed.
Nick smirked but Sarah sighed. “Deanna.” She
whispered.
Nick nearly gagged from the reflex in his stomach
at the mention of Deanna’s name. He remembered for the first time since Sarah
arrived that he had a girlfriend. Sarah didn’t notice the reaction because she
was still lost in a daydream. Nick felt conflicted as his thoughts turned to
his girlfriend. He knew he shouldn’t do what he was about to do but there were
so many butterflies in his stomach that he simply couldn’t ignore them. He had
to find out what they were all about. What if Deanna wasn’t really the one for
him? Nick glanced nervously about the yard and when the coast seemed clear, he
stopped dancing. “What do you say we get out of here?” he asked shocking poor
Sarah nearly to death by the offer. “I’ll take you for that drive you wanted.”
Sarah blinked a couple times as she tried her
hardest to contain her excitement. “I’d love to.” She finally managed to
breathe.
Nick smiled and walked her toward the house.
“Good.” He said. “Meet me out front. I’ll just go get my keys.”
Back by the pool Deana sat on a patio chair
slowly sipping her drink. Brian had managed to temporarily distract her from
the dance floor. However, he was unable to hide the look on his face when he
saw Nick and Sarah walk off the dance floor arm in arm. Deanna looked over just
in time to see the two enter the house together. Her face turned bright red
with anger. “She’s probably leaving.” Brian gasped desperately. “I bet he’s
just walking her to her car.”
Deanna couldn’t take it any longer and she
stood up. Brian had to think fast. In a desperate attempt to keep her from
seeing what he was now worried might be going on inside the house, he slid the
briefcase at his feet in front of her. When Deanna stood up she tripped over
the case and lost her balance. With a scream and a splash she plummeted
backward foot over head into the pool. Mrs. Harper rushed to her aid and in the
commotion Brian quickly slipped into the house unnoticed.
***