Sarah raised a shoulder and let it drop. “Don’t be strong on my account. I think crying is healthy, especially in a situation like this one.”
Emory pondered the concept. There weren’t very many people throughout her life who would have agreed with that sentiment. Crying showed weakness; at least that’s what she’d always been taught. Now that she thought about it, she’d never seen Lucy cry in all the years they’d known each other, and she was the closest person to her in the world. The thought made her sad and she now regretted the lack of emotion they’d shown each other.
She moved silently across the room and sat on the floor, her back against the wall of what was once her sanctuary. It didn’t take long for Sarah to join her, taking her hand. The simple gesture made such a difference, and just Sarah’s presence there next to her provided a real sense of comfort. They sat for several minutes before she turned to Sarah. “Movers gone?”
“Yep. The last truck drove away twenty minutes ago. I’d offer to get you something to drink, but—”
“They took the refrigerator and all of the glasses,” Emory finished wryly.
“Bingo.”
“That’s okay. I think I’m just going to sit here for a few minutes.”
“Tell you what. I’ll give you some time alone.” As Sarah started to get up, Emory squeezed her hand.
“Stay. Please? I mean, if that’s—”
“Of course I will,” Sarah answered softly, settling back in next to her. Emory held fast to Sarah’s hand and now cradled it in her lap.
“You’re close with your family, right?”
“Very. I see my parents nearly every day, and we do big family dinners every Sunday with my brothers. I have two, and the older one has a wife and son. I also have a rather large extended family, and while they’re a loving group, everyone is a little too involved in everyone else’s life. I guess meddlesome is the word I’d use.”
Emory smiled at the thought. “They sound fun. I would have liked to have had a family like that I think.”
Sarah ran her thumb across the top of Emory’s hand, surprised. “Really?”
Emory lifted her eyes slowly to Sarah’s and nodded. The wistful sadness Sarah saw there was simply too much. She reached out and wrapped her arms around Emory and held her, resting the bottom of her chin on Emory’s shoulder. “Maybe you will one day.”
“Thanks, but I don’t think so.”
“Have you read any more of the journals?”
“Some. It’s enlightening and frustrating all wrapped in one. It’s like being introduced to a whole new person who never really wanted me to know them. It turns out, unbeknownst to me, that my mother had no problem with the fact that I’m gay.” Emory shook her head, still in awe of this reality. “All these years, I thought it was the biggest disappointment of her life. Oh, and she knew all along that Lucy wasn’t right for me.” Emory laughed sardonically. “I wish she would have clued me in to that fact.”
“Lucy’s the ex you told me about?”
“That would be her. She was with me at the restaurant the other night. I told you, we’re still close.”
Not a date, Sarah thought, filing that information away for later.
“By the way, you looked beautiful the other night, Sarah.” Emory turned her head against the wall so she was facing her. It occurred to Sarah that their faces were merely inches apart. She stared into Emory’s eyes, nearly falling into them. Her gaze dropped then and she studied Emory’s lips, full and slightly pink, and a little pouty. She decided then and there that she really liked her mouth. She wondered what it might taste like, which was ridiculous and out of bounds. “Who’s the lucky guy?”
“Hmm?” She raised her gaze, forcing herself to focus. She was vaguely aware that she should probably change her expression from blatant lust to something closer to easygoing employee.
“The dashing gentleman you were having dinner with. Boyfriend?”
“Oh, James. No. I mean yes. It was a date. It was our, um, second date. Not exactly a boyfriend though.” Concentrate.
“I think I’ve seen him before. Is he an architect?”
“Yeah, he works for Anders Design. He said your company had done work with his.”
“That’s where I’ve seen him. So you like this James?”
“I do. He’s sweet.”
“So it’s Sarah and James sitting in a tree, huh?”
Sarah raised a playful eyebrow. “I know when I’m being mocked.”
“I would never.”
“You would and you are.”
Emory grinned. “I like that I can be playful with you. Is it strange that I feel like I’ve known you longer than I have?”
“I know what you mean.”
“Hey.” Emory pushed herself up off of the floor and offered Sarah a hand. “Don’t you have something to give me?”
Sarah stood, her face flushed as all sorts of thoughts chased each other around her head. Stop that. “What do you mean?”
“Well, this is your last day. I was thinking a bill, perhaps?”
Sarah brightened and smacked herself in the forehead. “Of course. Follow me.” As they walked from Emory’s second floor bedroom down to the kitchen, Sarah was a little nervous to present Emory with the amount she owed. It had been a large job that entailed lots of coordination and work from external companies. She’d made sure to itemize each and every dollar so Emory could see clearly where each charge came from.
As Emory opened the envelope, her eyebrows rose noticeably, but she didn’t say anything, making Sarah all the more uncomfortable.
“Um, Sarah. This is a little crazy.”
Sarah leaned in and looked over Emory’s shoulder at the itemization. “Is there a problem or a mistake on the detail list?”
“No, it’s not that.” Emory turned to face her. “This number is way too low. I should be paying you at least three times what this statement says.”
Sarah shook her head. “No, this is a fair assessment of our expenses and labor costs.”
“Well, it’s ridiculous and I’m not paying it. I’ll pay what it was worth, and that’s the end of it.” Emory pulled out her checkbook and filled in three times the amount of the invoice, tore the check out, and handed it to her.
“I can’t accept this.”
Emory adopted what Sarah was coming to identify as her executive voice. “Yes, you will accept it and hopefully take another look at your prices. You’re undercharging. By a lot, Sarah. When was the last time your company raised their rates?”
Sarah thought for a moment. “About two years ago. I’ve been trying to convince my mother that we’re capable of charging more, but she wouldn’t hear of it. She likes coming in on the lower end. She says we get more business and referrals that way.”
“She’s right about the more business part, but you’ll take on twice the work for half the pay. Please tell me you’ll talk to her again.”
Sarah smiled at Emory, grateful she saw the value in the work she’d done. “I’ll do my best, but I’m afraid you haven’t met Yolanda Matamoros. All the same, thank you for this. It’s very generous.” She nodded at the check in her hand and put it in her back pocket.
“It was worth every penny. I’m serious. I’m in awe of how quickly and efficiently you got this done.”
Sarah blushed, grabbing her bag and walking to the door. “Now I’m the one who’s embarrassed.”
“Don’t be.” Emory followed slowly behind her.
As they reached the entryway, she looked at Emory and realized this was good-bye. Without the house as their commonality, they would have no reason to see each other.
“I’m glad I met you, Sarah. You were a friend to me when I needed it.”
Sarah nodded. “Well, if we’re being sentimental, you did something for me too, you know. It’s been a while since someone’s given me that extra push to get out there and make something happen for myself.”
Emory beamed upon hearing the information, the kind of smile that Sarah couldn’t take her eyes from. “Speaking of which, I can’t believe I almost forgot.” Emory moved quickly to her attaché case and handed Sarah her business card. “I was serious about that press release. Let me know when you’re ready.”