Sarah’s posture stiffened. “She’s fine. I mean, I assume she’s fine. We don’t really talk much unless it’s about Lily.” She didn’t mean her words to come across as bitter as they did. She didn’t regret the space she had taken from Beth a few years ago. It had given her the clarity she had so desperately needed, but that didn’t mean she didn’t miss having Beth as a friend.
Nell didn’t comment right away, but Sarah could feel her penetrating eyes dissecting her thoughts. “That was kind of the whole point of you and me, right?” she said eventually. “You wanted to forget her. And I told you I could help with that.”
The truth hung in the space between them—just honest words. It was exactly what Nell had promised her three years before when they had entered into their relationship arrangement.
Sarah met her gaze. “You did help. In a million ways,” she said, sliding her hand into Nell’s, squeezing it gently. “And you continue to help me now, even though you really don’t have to.”
“I want you to find your person and be all gross and happy and sickeningly in love. But selfishly, this is for me because you’re taking too long and I’m impatient.” Nell hummed her amusement, turning back to the screen and clicking the mouse to join the meeting.
A moment later, an older woman with flowing gray curls appeared on the screen. She wore thick-framed neon-green glasses and a purple mumu patterned with golden eyes.
“Nell, my sweet, beautiful earth angel. Darling, how are you?”
Sarah looked at Nell curiously, but Nell only smiled brighter.
“Hello, Janet. Wonderful to see you. You’re looking well. Did Jalapeño enjoy the cat toys I sent?”
“Oh yes! They were a hit. Thank you. And you, starshine.” Janet turned her focus now to Sarah through the screen. “You must be Sarah. I see what you mean, Nell. She is gorgeous indeed.”
Sarah shifted slightly in her seat, sitting up a little straighter. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
“Janet, I know you and I have already talked about some details, but before we begin, I want to make one thing extremely clear: Sarah is the most extraordinary woman I’ve ever met. You’ll never find anyone as brilliant or loyal as she is. She deserves the world.” Nell turned towards her, a softer smile—the one reserved for the people she cared about—replacing her business one as she continued. “Please, for the love of god, donot match her with anyone who thinks ambition is a flaw or uses the termgirlbossunironically. She needs a woman who is kind, smart, but also challenges her to think differently.”
Sarah stared at Nell, touched by the thoughtfulness she had put into this in her own special Nell way. She had been so worried about whether or not their friendship would survive after they had decided to give their version of a relationship a chance, but it was only now that she truly understood she never had a real need to worry. Because much like what Nell had once told her, her place in Nell’s life wasn’t dependent on whether or not they were sleeping together. And she had only reinforced that since their uncoupling in ways that made Sarah feel so secure in their decisions.
“Oh, and preferably a woman who is a bossy top that has a good therapist,” Nell added.
And there it was.
“Ignore her, please, Janet,” Sarah interjected, nudging Nell in the ribs with her elbow, somehow both mortified and moved.
“I ignore no one,” Janet said, eyes sparkling behind thick frames. “But I do take notes.”
“Well, my work here is done,” Nell said. “I’ll leave you two to talk details. Come find me when you’re finished.” She gave Sarah’s thigh a squeeze as she rose to her feet, exiting the office, and Sarah couldn’t help the flood of gratitude she felt for Nell in that moment.
She turned back to Janet. “Okay, I guess I’m doing this. Where do we start?”
Eight days later, Sarah absently flipped through an interior design magazine in the lobby of her Los Angeles hotel. She hadarrived the night before, still a few days ahead of the Olympic Games. She, Beth, and Lily had all agreed to meet in the lobby for their last breakfast before Lily would be in ‘locked in mode,’ as she called it.
With a slight flourish, Sarah flicked her wrist to check the time on the gold Cartier watch that had been a gift from Nell. Beth and Lily were officially late.
Just then, she caught the flash of blond braids as Lily approached her, quickly brushing past people lingering in the lobby.
“I’m sorry,” Lily chirped, pulling out her phone. “I got distracted on my walk over here. I stopped to take a few pictures.” She flipped her phone around so Sarah could see the photos filled with murals, signage, and buildings. “But I still beat Mama, so that has to count for something, right?”
“Barely,” came Beth’s familiar voice from beside her.
Sarah turned towards her, taking in the way the light danced off the frames of her sunglasses as Beth set them on top of her head.
Beth wiggled a small black notebook in her hands. “I got lost sketching in the park across the street.” She smiled widely.
“Oh! Show me,” Lily said excitedly, reaching for Beth’s sketchbook.
Creativity had never been a strong suit of hers, but Sarah loved that Lily had so clearly gotten her artistic spirit from Beth. Watching them share that bond had been one of the many highlights of raising Lily together.
Lily’s phone chimed with an incoming text, pulling her attention.
“Hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long,” Beth said softly, blue eyes landing directly on Sarah.
