Forever Mine (19 page)

“I’m saving myself for one guy, and I’m beginning to think he knows it.”

Sarah’s eyes opened wide. “Really? Who?”

Sofia held the tissue to her nose, looking at Sarah apprehensively. She looked out the window to make sure the guys were far enough to not hear. “You promise you won’t tell Angel?”

Sarah nodded but gulped, not sure she wanted to know anymore. Sofia shut her eyes tight then stared at Sarah again. She whispered something but Sarah didn’t catch it the first time. Sarah peaked out the window to make sure they were still far enough, she saw Eric glance their way then back at Angel. She leaned closer to Sofia.

“What?” Sarah whispered.

“Eric.”

Sarah stared at her speechless. They both glanced out the window. Angel and Eric were on their way back toward the car. “Please don’t say anything.” Sofia pleaded.

“I won’t.”

What made her think Eric knew she was saving herself for him? Sarah wanted to ask a lot of things but the guys were too close. It’d have to wait until the next time they got a moment alone.

They went to the beach and made a bonfire. Sarah watched and observed the whole night, careful that Angel didn’t catch on. She couldn’t believe she’d never noticed before. Well, she had, but she’d never made anything out of it. It’d always seemed so innocent. It still did, only after what Sofia had said tonight, some things seemed a little questionable.

Eric lingered around Sofia the whole night. Sitting next to her, even went for a walk just the two of them, and Angel hadn’t thought anything of it. She wouldn’t have, either, before tonight. She always thought Eric was just being a sweetheart. Eric knew Angel was busy with Sarah, so he was just keeping an eye on Sofia, right?

Sarah thought about how it was always Eric who offered to give her rides to and from the restaurant. And how many times she’d spoken to Angel on the phone and he’d mentioned that Eric was there hanging out, early in the morning, or late in the evening, but always when Sofia was home. Still she thought of how Eric seemed so loyal to Angel and his brothers. She just couldn’t picture him actually doing anything with Sofia.

Between watching Sofia, and Eric, and being disgusted with Valerie’s outrageous behavior, Sarah had been pretty quiet the whole night. She watched Valerie who’d had way too much to drink, let Romero peck her softly on the lips. She’d been flirting with him since they got there.

“What’s wrong?” Angel asked.

Sarah's eyes met his, and she shook her head. But he knew better. “You haven’t said much tonight. Something bothering you?”

Sarah sighed and motioned toward Valerie and Romero. Angel glanced up at them. Romero was sitting on an ice chest and Valerie was on his lap, giggling. He turned back to Sarah and shrugged.

Angel and his brothers obviously didn’t talk too much about their romantic affairs. Angel knew they’d gone out, but didn’t realize Valerie had finally gotten what she wanted. Just this past Wednesday she’d “bedded” Alex Moreno. And now here she was, shamelessly carrying on with Romero.

Sarah frowned. “What’s Alex gonna say?”

“Sarah, babe, I hope you don’t think Alex is really into Valerie. I mean, she’s cool and everything, but it really doesn’t matter with Alex. He’s never been into the relationship thing.” He chuckled. “I’m sure he’s making full use of his hotel room tonight.”

He must’ve seen the disgusted look on Sarah’s face because his smile immediately dissolved. “Of course, I think it’s appalling.”

Sarah rolled her eyes. “I know he’s not into the relationship thing, but you don’t think he’s gonna be upset at all, that she’s doing this with one of his friends?”

“Nah.” Angel shook his head. “Alex isn’t like that. He could care less. I mean, don’t tell Valerie that. I don’t want to hurt her feelings or anything. But I’m sure Alex had his fun, and is already on to the next. That’s just the way he is.”

Sarah stared at him. “That’s him, Sarah. Not me.”

“That’s not what I was thinking. I’m just hoping you’re right. I’d hate for his feelings to be hurt.”

“Trust me, Sarah.” Angel smiled. “I know my brother, he’s gonna be just fine with it.”

But Sarah remembered hearing him on the phone with Valerie, and how he called back just to ask what her plans had been that Wednesday. Something told her Angel might be wrong about this.

CHAPTER 14

Saturday mornings were always busy at the restaurant. Angel’s parents wouldn’t be back until that evening so Sarah offered to come in and help. Angel picked her up an hour before they opened. Sarah smiled when she saw Sofia in the car also. She was anxious to speak with her alone.

No sooner were they in the restaurant than Sofia pulled Sarah by the arm. “I’ll take Sarah to the back so she can try on one of the shirts.”

Angel frowned. “That’s okay, Sofi,” to Sarah he said, “You don’t have to wear a uniform, babe.”

Sarah lifted her chin. “But I like the shirts.” She turned to Sofia. “I’ll take a medium.”

Angel smiled and she blew him a kiss. When they got to the back room Sofia closed the door behind them and grinned wickedly.

“Oh my God, I’ve been dying to talk to someone about this and you’re the only person I can.”

Sarah wasn’t sure she wanted to be the only one that knew. From the very beginning Angel didn’t even have to say it. It was so obvious how protective he and his brothers were about Sofia. She thought of Alex breaking the head off the turtle figurine and smiled feebly.

Sofia opened a drawer, grabbed a polo with restaurants log on it and an apron. She handed them to Sarah. She continued eagerly apparently unaware of Sarah’s sudden lack of enthusiasm. “I told him!”

Sarah gulped. “Told him what?”

Sofia glanced at the door then whispered. “That I’m saving myself for him.”

“What?” Sarah’s heart raced. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

Sofia put her hands over her mouth and giggled. Sarah couldn’t help laughing too. She felt silly but Sofia’s attitude about the whole thing was startling. Was she crazy?

Sarah clutched the polo and the apron in both hands in front of her face. Her eyes were wide open. “What did he say?”

Sofia’s face lit up even more. “He kissed me.”

Sarah blinked, unable to find words.

Sofia didn’t seem to notice Sarah’s anxiety. She mistook Sarah’s previous nervous laughter for excitement and went on. “I’ve never been kissed before. But he was amazing. He knew exactly what he was doing. I never wanted it to stop. I was so glad your cousin was there to keep Romero busy. He probably would’ve ruined everything. I can hardly wait for it to happen again.”

Again
?

“Oh but there’s so much more I wanna tell you.” Sofia gushed.

“More?”

“Yeah, there’s more than just kissing.”

Sarah wasn’t sure but she could swear it was getting hot in that room.

“I mean he’s so much more to me than just a crush. I’m really falling for him, Sarah. It killed me that he was acting so cold and distant last night after what happened in the parking lot at school. I knew he was thinking the worst. So, I suggested we go for a walk and I told him he had nothing to worry about, I was saving myself for him.”

Sarah stared at Sofia. “So, what’s going to happen now?”

There was no way her brothers would allow it.

Sofia looked defiant. “I don’t know. All I know is I want to be with him and no one is going to stop me.”

This was only getting worse. There’d be hell to pay if Eric was honestly considering going forward with this.

“You have to be careful, Sofia. You don’t want him to get hurt.”

“He wants to wait until I’m seventeen to tell Angel. But that’s not until next year.”

That sounded reasonable to Sarah but she could tell by the expression on Sofia’s face that wasn’t going to happen.

There was a knock at the door and Sarah jumped.

“She’s still getting dressed, Angel.”

“Alright, we’re getting ready to open in a few minutes.”

“Okay,” Sarah finished adjusting her apron. “We’ll be right out.”

She almost lost her balance when Sofia hugged her. “I’m so glad I have someone to talk to about this.”

*

At first Angel had protested her helping, but of course, Sarah insisted. Now he watched as she waited on a table, smiling, and talking to the customers as if it were second nature.

Angel went back and forth from the hostess desk, to the back office where he was trying to finish up writing a help wanted ad he was going to submit to the local newspaper that week. His parents were looking to hire a few more cooks and a couple more people to wait tables.

He thought about asking Sarah if she wanted the job waiting tables, but something told him she might be insulted. Plus, she had her weekends full already, babysitting. She was so damn devoted to the families she worked for. He knew she wouldn’t want to let them down.

The phone on the desk rang, disrupting Angel’s thoughts.

“Angel?”

He was surprised to hear Valerie’s voice.

“Hey, Val, what’s up?”

“Sorry I’m calling on this line, but Sarah’s not answering her phone.”

“It’s alright,” he said. “She’s waiting tables. She doesn’t have her phone on her. I’ll get her for you.”

“Wait.” She sounded nervous. “Maybe you should tell her, ‘cause she’s probably gonna freak.”

Angel sat up slowly. “What is it?”

“Sydney was in a car accident this morning.”

Angel gripped the receiver a little tighter. “Is she okay?”

There was silence on the other end for a second, and then Valerie cleared her throat. “
Her
... uh parents were calling from the hospital but they don’t know anything yet. I have all the information, the hospital and the number and stuff. They gave me their cell phone number in case she doesn’t have it, so she can call them directly.”

Angel took all the information down and hung up. He picked up the phone again and started dialing Sydney’s parent’s cell. He thought it’d be better if he knew something before he laid the news on Sarah.

He let it ring twice and thought about it again. It was already his fault they hadn’t been able to get a hold of her earlier. He knew she’d want to know as soon as possible. He hung up and walked out into the restaurant. Sarah was walking toward him with a tray in her hand. She smiled proudly. He walked straight to her and took the tray away, setting it down on the bar counter.

He looked over his shoulder. “Sof, take over Sarah’s tables.”

He put his attention back on Sarah and took her by the hand into the office.

“What’s going on?” Sarah asked.

Angel sat her down on the chair in front of the desk and closed the door. Sarah began to look worried. “What’s wrong,” she said. “Is this about the coffee I spilled? ‘Cause it didn’t get on-”

“It’s about Sydney.” There was no hiding the concern in his voice.

Sarah’s eyes opened wide, he could see her searching his eyes. “Angel, I was gonna-”

“She was in a car accident this morning, baby.”

Her expression went slowly from confusion to panic. “What? Oh my God!” She jumped from her seat, and rushed over to her purse. She pulled out her cell phone. Her hands shook as she fumbled with her phone.