“Ok, but just so you know, if he comes in the shop looking for you, I’m going to talk to him. And for the record, I think you’re being stupid about this whole thing.”
“Just drive! I didn’t ask you for your opinion, Mickey.”
“I’m your best friend, that’s what I’m here for. I’m not just going to stand by and let you ruin what could be the best thing in your life.”
“I don’t have time for guys who live in a fucking fantasy world. I live in the real world.”
“I always thought you were open-minded. I mean, it’s not like he told you he’s a dragon or anything. There are cultures and societies that still have old fashioned values. Why is that so hard for you to comprehend? We’re not rich, we’ve never been rich, we don’t know what goes on in rich people’s lives. We don’t know that they don’t all have arranged marriages. Your statement about only old-time royalty doing that is bogus and you know it. A lot of religious groups and cultureshave arranged marriages. It’s not that uncommon, Sarai.” She didn’t even pause to take a breath before going on. “Rich people don’t want the poor and uneducated mingling with them, that’s a known fact. So, it’s not that surprising that they want certain bloodlines kept intact.”
“You weren’t there. You didn’t hear the insanity he was spouting.”
“No, I wasn’t, but you didn’t have a level head at the time. You were angry and didn’t want to process what he was saying. I think you owe him.”
“I owe him. I owe him?” Sarai was shocked by what her friend was saying. “He used me, he had sex with me, and then discarded me.”
“No, you discarded him.”
“He lied to me. You know I have trust issues. I hate liars, and he lied to me, plain and simple. I can’t accept that. I won’t accept that. You need to accept that I don’t want to reconcile with him. I don’t ever want to see him, ever!”
“Ok!” Mickey pulled up to the flower shop. Sarai jumped out and ran to her own car and sped away. She needed a break, she needed to get out, she needed a vacation. So she called Mickey.
“I’m leaving for a few days. I’ll be back in a week; the shop is in your hands. Look, I’m not mad at you. If he comes in the shop while I’m gone, do what you want. I’ll see you in a week.”
“Where are you going?”
“Home.”
“Ok. Give your moms both a hug for me.”
“I will.” Sarai hung up and then went to pack and head out of town to where her moms lived. It was a four-hour drive.
It was late when she pulled up. She hadn’t even called ahead. She used the key above the door to let herself in. After she took off her shoes, she tiptoed to her old room, shut the door quietly, sank on the bed and sobbed into her pillow. A knock at her door startled her and a moment later, her mother, Nancy, poked her head in.
“Well this is a wonderful surprise. Oh honey, what’s wrong?” Sarai couldn’t find her voice, so her mom asked her a question, “Boy troubles?” Sarai nodded. “Well it’s been a while.”
“We had sex, and he’s engaged. I didn’t know. Then his fiancée showed up and… I’m such a fool.” She threw herself back against the bed and covered her face with her pillow. “I got played.”
“Oh honey!”
“He was so cute, and so nice. We had a lot in common and I thought, I thought he was the one.”
“How did you two meet?” Sarai told her mom the whole story of how Alistair came into the shop to order an arrangement, how he offered to help her train for the marathon. How things just heated up and they had sex. She got busy at work and when she finally went back to the gym, they were flirting and about to kiss, and then the blond arrived and destroyed it all. She told her everything he had said to her in the parking lot. How he kept wanting to talk to her, to explain himself. However, she was so angry, she couldn’t handle it. “I’m such a fool.” She said covering her face again.
“Get some sleep. You’ll feel better in the morning.”
“How’s Mom doing?”
“She’s asleep right now. You can see her in the morning.” Nancygot up from the bed. “It’s good to have you home. We missed you, kiddo.”
“I missed you too. I should try to get home more often.”
“The door is always open. Goodnight!”
“Goodnight.” Sarai got ready for bed and then crawled into her old four poster bed. The rock posters were still plastered on her walls and her net of stuffed animals sagged on the wall. It was good to be home. This is where she needed to be to recuperate from the breakup. She would go do the race and come back. Mickey could handle the shop for a while. Home is where Sarai needed to be, with her moms and her dog. The door opened and a large white malamute jumped on the bed and wiggled up next to her. She hugged the dog and gave him a belly rub. Then he settled down and they both fell asleep together. Dixon was the only male she needed in her life now.
In the morning, she helped feed her mom and then helped around the house.
“Nancy told me you’re having boy trouble.”
