Page 31 of Consummation

“Really soon. A matter of days. I’ll let you know when I get the moving schedule confirmed.” He lets out a pained exhale. “Shit. Fuck this, Kat—I can’t take it anymore. I’ve been going out of my head this whole week, dying to tell you—”

“Kitty Kat!” It’s Sarah, standing at the edge of the table, holding out her arms for a big hug. “I’m so sorry I’m late.”

Twelve

Kat

“Hang on, Josh—Sarah’s here,” I say into the phone, cutting him off. I leap up from the table and give Sarah a huge hug. “Welcome home! Ooooph, I missed you, girl. Let’s see it.”

Sarah shows me the humongous diamond on her hand.

“Oh my God!” I shriek, ogling Sarah’s rock. “It’s so huge! And sparkly! Oh, Sarah! That’s the most gorgeous ring I’ve ever seen. To die for! What girl wouldn’t kill to get a ring like that?”

We take our seats, both of us giggling and glowing and cooing at each other like we haven’t seen each other in twenty years.

“Hello?” a compressed voice says through my phone on the table.

“Oh my God,” I gasp, picking up the phone. “I’m so sorry, Josh,” I say. “I totally forgot you were there.”

“Mmm hmmm. Gosh, it sure sounds like Sarah’s ring is big and sparkly, Kat.”

I smile demonically to myself. “Oh, you heard all that? I’m sorry. Yeah. It’s gorgeous.” Sarah smiles at me, oblivious to what’s been going on between Josh and me this past week. “You should see Sarah,” I say to Josh. “She looks sohappy. Hang on.” I hold the phone out to Sarah. “Say hi to Josh, Sarah—tell him how happy you are.”

Sarah giggles and takes the phone from me. “Hi, Joshy Woshy. Thank you... . Hey, that’s right,brother.” She squeals. “Hellz yeah, I will, you silly goose... Yep. Smart thinking... I love you, Joshy Woshy.” She giggles again. “I will. Bye.” She hands the phone back. “Here you go.”

I put the phone to my ear, but Josh is gone. “He hung up,” I say, feeling deflated.

“He told me to tell you goodbye. He said he’ll talk to you later.”

I stare at Sarah, stunned. “You told Josh you love him.”

“I sure did, because I do. I loooooove him. Josh is gonna be mybrother—isn’t that awesome? I’ve always wanted a brother.”

“And what did Josh say in reply when you said that?” I ask.

“He said, ‘I feel the same way about you, my dearest sister.’” Sarah giggles. “Oh, the Faraday men. Gotta love ’em.”

“Yeah. Gotta love ’em.”

Oh my God, that should have beenmesaying “I love you” to Josh. I love him more than I knew I could love. I love every part of him, even the douchey parts.And I’m dying to tell him so.I already knew it, of course, but this week without him has made me realize I truly can’t be happy without him.

“Hello, ladies,” the waitress says, standing at the edge of our table. “Can I answer any questions about the menu for you?”

“Oh, gosh. I haven’t even looked at the menu yet,” Sarah says. “I’m sorry.”

“There’s no rush. Let me just tell you about our specials today.” The waitress rattles off several specials, all of which sound like they’d make me hurl. “What can I get you to drink while you decide?” the waitress asks.

“I’d love a glass of white wine,” Sarah says. “Maybe a Pinot Griggio?”

The waitress nods. “And another ginger ale for you, Miss?”

“Thank you.”

Sarah looks at me funny. “I’ve never seen you drink ginger ale before,” she says. “Does it have tequila in it?”

I shake my head. “I was feeling a little queasy for some reason—thought ginger ale might help.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Kat. Are you sick?”

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