Page 78 of Unexpectedly In Love

“Oh, shush, Sage. You are just jealous because nobody liked you,” Cassia comments.

“People liked me in school! Thank you very much.” Sage shouts.

“He was sweet. Maybe I would have been better off with him, than Marcus.” Rosie gives a sad smile.

“Well, he is in his parents’ sushi restaurant now. His dad is sick, so he came down from Seattle to help.”

Cassia giggles. “Look, when you see him, call me after and say Beetle is beetling. Please.”

Rosemary smiles. “No. I will look him up. Enough about me. Back to Ani. Clearly things are working out.”

Are they though? I mean over the month we have established a routine; he is taking more of an active role in taking care of Kai. I continue styling my hair, lost in thought. Someone clears their throat.

“Ha, sorry. I mean we are not at each other’s necks. It’s not like we love each other or anything” I look into the mirror, only to see Cassia has an eyebrow up high on her forehead.

“What?” I remove my gaze from Cassia, and I continue getting ready.

“The truth is, there is a part of you that is already falling in love or already in love with Eryx,” Cassia says. I hate it when she goes yogi on me. I can feel it coming, her speech patterns become soft and breathy.

I remain silent because I don’t want to know. That’s a lie I do want to know, I want him to be in love with me. I am falling for him, but that guillotine of a divorce is still hanging over my head. How can I love him fully?

“What are you afraid of?” Rosemary asks, always ready to wipe my tears and kiss away my unseen boo-boos.

Inhale and let it all out. “I said already. I’m afraid I will love him, and he won’t love me back.”

“Listen to me, Ani. Release and find peace,” Cassia chants. She closes her eyes and inhales.

“Release and fine peace. I think he likes me a little bit.” I make a mental note for this mantra.

“He loves her. I am 89% sure he loves her. Shit.” Sage head is bowed, and she is looking at her fingernails.

“What are you hiding?” Rosemary asks.

Watching Sage lie is hilarious because she sucks at it. She gets fidgety, pulling at her dress, picking off invisible lint.

“Nothing, I am not hiding anything. What is that on my skirt?” Sage brings the bottom of the dress closer for her to inspect.

Cassia, Rosemary and I glance at each other. Rosemary nods. It is official she is hiding something.

“What do you know? And don’t even bother trying to lie.” Rosemary uses her big sister energy on Sage.

Sage drops her skirt. “Okay, but this stays here, okay?”

We all nod. I held my breath wondering what she could possibly say to shock me.

“You know your brand deal in Senica?” Sage asks, while rubbing her knees.

“What? He pulled some strings, and I got the contract?” I laugh it off because I have mixed feelings. I thought I got this contract on my own.

Sage laughs. “Pull strings? Sis he is the ‘string.’”

“I don’t understand what you mean.” I put my clips down, Sage has my full attention.

“He told Zac that the disrespect that was shown to his wife by Senica will not be tolerated,” Sage wipes her eyes as they begin to tear up. “He bought the company and hired new staff…just to make you happy.”

We all remain silent. No that can’t be. Why would he do that?

“He did what?” Cassia screams.

---