Page 74 of Empowered
Chapter 19
Lucas dropped her off in front of her building Sunday evening before going home. When he kissed her goodbye, it was with another “I love you” on her lips.
Sarah kissed the hand snug between her palms. His intimidating knuckles were nothing beneath her kisses and his class ring from Princeton cool against her skin.I can’t say those words back to you yet.He claimed to understand.
“See you tomorrow, Angel.” Lucas held open his car door, one leg in and the other keeping him on the sidewalk. “I’ve already texted Damon and told him I want to meet before the day starts.”
Shivers ripped through Sarah.I can only imagine how that’s going to go.Her boss knowing all about them… how much of a talking to would Lucas get? How awkward would it be when Sarah walked into the office a few minutes later?
The apartment was quiet when she entered. Everything was off, save for a faint light coming from her brother’s bedroom. Classical music played behind the door as well. It wasn’t unlike Nigel to spend his lonely evenings locked up in his bedroom surfing the web and listening to Bach. He was so much their father like that.
Sarah knocked on his door and let him know that she was home before going to her own room and settling in for the evening. Unpacking. Showering. Laying out her clothes for the next day and making any last minute adjustments to Mr. and Mrs. Monroe’s schedules. She double-checked that she didn’t need to bring a lunch for Monday and sat down on the end of her bed. It was already eight by then.
The moment she slowed down, she thought of Lucas again. He didn’t even have to text her a series of hearts and a“Miss you already,”for her to think about him.
She got up and went down the hallway to her brother’s room.
Nigel didn’t respond to her knocking. Probably because he had his earbuds in while he watched a documentary about the African Savannah.I’m going to find out he’s live-chatting with Dad in about five seconds.Perhaps not that night.
“Hey,” he said without turning around. Either he saw her in his monitor or that twin ESP was on high alert. “What’s up?”
“No Carly tonight?”
“She had a thing with her family today. Just been me. We should get some fish or something.”
Chuckling, Sarah pulled over another desk chair and sat next to her brother. He paused his video and turned off the music in the background. “Not gonna spring for the cat, huh?” Nigel loved cats more than their mother loved her Yorkie. Alas, they never got around to adopting one since graduating high school. This apartment allowed up to two pets. Sarah figured it was only a matter of time before Nigel started dropping hints about a feline friend.
“How was your trip?”
“Good.” Sarah leaned against the corner of her brother’s desk. “He told me he loves me.”
Nigel’s expression did not change, but his posture lost its luster for the briefest second. “Which question do I ask first?”
“The one bugging you the most.”
Nigel didn’t waste another breath. “Do you believe him?”
“I… I think so.” Would it be cross of her to steal some of the tea still in his mug? Too late.Damnit. It’s cold. Drink your fuckin’ tea, Nigel.“That’s part of the problem, though, isn’t it? I don’t know what’s real and what are lies anymore. I haven’t been in a real relationship in so long, and never with a man like him…”
“Plus it’s pretty fast. You’ve only been seeing each other for how many weeks?”
“I know.” Sighing, Sarah looked out her brother’s window. Lights twinkled in the building across the street. “He asked me if I loved him back. I told him that I wanted to, but I didn’t know if I was there yet.”
“Ah, Sarah…”
“Maybe I’d like to be in a relationship, you know? One where I know they care about me and I’m not afraid they’re going to cast me aside as soon as it’s most convenient.”
“I understand.”
“What do you think?” Sarah hoped she wouldn’t regret asking this. “You’ve met him a few times now. Do you think Luke’s a genuine man?”
“Do you want to know what Ireallythink?”
She winced. “Of course I do. I wouldn’t have asked otherwise. I know you’ll give it to me straight, Nigel.”
They shared a look of mutual understanding. If only that was all it took now. If it were something more minor, like what she should do about her job, going back to school, whatever… one look from her brother would be all it took. Her future in the hands of another man? After what she had been through in the past couple of years?
“I think it’s hard to read a man like that.” Nigel closed his laptop and folded his arms on top of it. “You know what they’re like, Sarah. They’re on another level. They’re either so spoiled that their terrible attitudes go by unchecked, or they’ve learned to be so charming and suave that they’ve knocked you on your ass before you can ask for a kiss.”
