Wilde For You (The Wilde Sisters Book 3) (18 page)

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Sage

Thankfully the Jones-Ferguson wedding went off without a hitch and Sage could focus on the light-hearted and often creepy Halloween parties she organized. Having Lucy at her beck and call had made her normally hectic fall schedule run much more smoothly. The temperamental artist had her moments, though. When she was painting she refused to answer her phone or reply to texts, insisting she wasn’t Sage’s personal slave. She had to admit, the girl had guts. And an amazing knack with a paintbrush.

It pleased her to see Tom’s excitement with the painting Lucy did for him, commissioning her to do three more for his office space. Hopefully his clients would appreciate her talent and hire her as well. Sage helped her design business cards and hooked her up with Robert Barrows to design a webpage. In no time the eccentric little oddball would be the next up-and-coming artist in southern Maine.

Occasionally Sage would ask about her siblings and Doreen, careful never to mention Luke by name. The knowing smirk Lucy never tried to hide made her realize she wasn’t fooling anyone.

“Mom would love to have you over for dinner. You know, get to know my boss, the lady who saved me from disgrace.”

They didn’t talk about That Day, or the ten thousand dollars, and Sage knew it bothered Lucy to be in debt to someone else. Lucy only accepted minimum wage pay and gave most of the money she earned from her paintings to Sage. It had been nearly two months and at this rate, Lucy’s debt would be paid off in less than a year. They skated around the topic, neither one of them the sentimental type, and instead razzed each other about their wardrobe and lack of male admirers.

“You know, you could get laid more often if you ditched the stuck-up pencil skirt and worked with the mini.”

“And you could actually attract a decent man if you dropped the potty mouth.”

“Oh, you’re one to talk.” Lucy laughed.

“The difference is I don’t speak that way in front of clients.”

“Yeah. You have the fake thing down pat. Never let the client see the bitchy side, huh?”

“Not if I want my business to succeed. Which it has, as you can tell by the constant ringing phone that you don’t answer and the flood of email inquiries in my inbox that you don’t respond to quickly enough.”

“Yeah, well.”

“And you need to work on your comebacks. They’re juvenile.”

“Blah, blah, blah.”

“And you think
I’m
the one who needs to get laid?”

“Speaking of Luke…”

“We are not speaking of your brother.”

“I had lunch with him today. He asked about you.”

Sage’s heart leaped. She turned her back, pretending to look for something in her pile of swatch samples so Lucy wouldn’t see her reddened cheeks.

“Do you want to know what he said?”

“We’re not in middle school. I’m not going to pass you notes during class asking about a boy.”

“K. I won’t tell you then.” Lucy snapped her gum and hummed while typing on the laptop Sage loaned her.

Irritated that she wanted to know, but not dumb enough to take the bait, Sage grabbed her keys and slung her purse over her shoulder. “I have a meeting. I won’t be back in the office today.”

“No you don’t.”

“Excuse me?”

“You’re forgetting, I have access to your calendar. You have the rest of the day blocked out to put a proposal together for the Keedsler Motors holiday party.”

“Yes, well…”

That devilish smirk appeared again and Sage scowled. “Just ask.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Sage played with the strap on her purse.

“God, you’re pathetic.” Lucy laughed and kicked her feet up on the desk. “You’re dying to know what Luke said. Admit it.”

“I really don’t care what he said.”

“Bullshit.”

They had a good old fashioned stare-down, neither one willing to look away first. Being pissed and annoyed had its advantages, and Sage eventually won when Lucy tipped her head back and laughed again. “Fine. Call me on my bluff. He didn’t say anything about you.”

Her heart deflated and her lip actually quivered. Looking away, she dropped her purse on the table and fled for the bathroom.
I’m such a damn fool.
Splashing cold water on her face didn’t help, but it did mask the tears that somehow formed and slipped down her cheeks.

Being with Luke made her feel special. Wanted. He didn’t want her for her organizational skills or to watch over someone. He didn’t care if she was skinny and stylish or bloated. Luke had a way of knowing when she needed to bitch and vent and when she needed to zone out and watch TV and cuddle. Sage didn’t even know she liked cuddling until Luke had lain down with her and wrapped her in his muscular embrace, hogging most of the couch. She loved every second she was with him.

She didn’t know she liked the smell of Irish Spring and fresh air. She didn’t know she liked waking up to breakfast in bed. And morning sex. She’d never had morning sex before. Or an afternoon quickie. And sometimes an afternoon experience that lasted through the night.

It wouldn’t be the end of the world to go out on more dates with Luke. It wasn’t like she had to marry him and spit out babies. If things didn’t work out, she’d move on. He’d move on. But leaving things in limbo, not knowing what they
could
have together, didn’t feel right.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow she’d get her act together and talk to Luke. Tonight she needed to type up a few suggestions. Not an official contract, but a list of acceptable behaviors for their new relationship. No talk of love or marriage or babies. But sleepovers were a definite yes. Not every night. Sage needed her space. And with his crazy work schedule, she didn’t think that would be a problem anyway.

As long as he gave her space to go out with….no one. Sage didn’t have friends to hang out with. The only socializing she did was with her sisters. And now they had husbands and kids and Sage was a third, fourth, fifth wheel.

She’d visited her baby niece and nephew a few times, but was careful to keep them at a distance. Babies were never her thing. Maybe when they grew personalities and could bathe and wipe themselves, she’d be a better aunt. Maddie was cool. She’d brought Maddie out shopping a few times, they did ice cream once or twice. That wasn’t so bad. But babies? No.

Regaining her composure and content with her decision to allow Luke back in her life, she stepped out of the small bathroom and braced herself for Lucy’s taunts.

“Look, Sage. I’m sorry if I stepped out of line.”

Not expecting an apology, Sage opened her mouth, ready with a comeback, but nothing came out.

“You know, a snarky woman once told me that’s a very unattractive look.”

“She must be a very wise woman to give you such advice. I hope you took it well.”

“Yeah, well…”

Sage smiled and nodded to the pile of boxes on the conference table. “I have a portfolio to put together. Care to help or are you actually going to answer some emails today?”

“I’ll stick with the emails.”

They worked in companionable silence for the rest of the afternoon. When it was time to leave, Lucy stopped by the front door, blocking Sage’s exit. “For the record, Luke didn’t actually ask about you.”

Way to boost my spirits, Lucy.

“What I mean is, he doesn’t know I’m working for you. I didn’t want to put you or him in an awkward situation. I told him I’m a glorified secretary and that I’m painting on the side. And I told him about Tom buying my work.”

“He must have been very proud of you.” Sage smiled.

“Yeah. He asked more about my painting than my job, knowing the secretary crap is just a means to an end.”

“No offense taken, by the way. I know this isn’t your calling.”

“Yeah, sure. Anyway, I didn’t want to tell him without asking you first. He’s been really down since you…since you guys called it quits. I don’t know what happened and who dumped who, but he’s been really torn up about it. If you didn’t save my ass last month I would have gone crazy bitch on you for hurting my brother. He’s the nicest, kindest, sweetest man in the world and I don’t know anyone who deserves him.”

“Again, no offense.”

“I know he cares for you. Maybe even loves you. Or at least he did. Who knows what he thinks of you now. It’s been so long.”

“You know how to make a girl feel pretty special.” Sage crossed her arms and glared at Lucy.

“Hey, I don’t sugarcoat things. Neither do you. I figured you’d respect that about me.”

Sage nodded. “Understood. And for the record, I’m going to contact Luke tomorrow.”

“Oh? That getting laid spiel worked, eh?” Lucy wiggled her eyebrows, making Sage laugh.

“Get out of here before I fire you. I’ll send you an email with a list of things I need you to do tomorrow. Mostly it’s putting the digital portfolio together for the charity auction. I’ll be going back and forth between the Regan wedding and the Insulet party. Keep your phone handy in case of emergencies.”

“K. And be nice to my brother or I will kick your skinny ass,” Lucy called over her shoulder as she walked out the front door and hopped into her beater.

Skinny ass.
It’d been a long time since someone called her that. Smiling for the first time in ages, Sage locked up the office and headed to her car, picturing her wardrobe and planning her perfect seduction outfit.

Chapter Fifteen

Sage

The next morning Sage jumped out of bed, took a long, luxurious shower, shaving areas that hadn’t been looked at or touched by anyone but her OB in months, and spent an extra twenty minutes on her hair. It fell past her shoulders and she decided to curl the ends into a sexy flip style. Going light and subtle on the makeup and simple and sexy on the outfit, she took one final glance in the mirror. Her dark plum V-neck cashmere sweater showed off her girls and her new jeans gave her round ass a much-needed boost.

After eight weeks of rigorous dieting and exercise, she finally felt comfortable in jeans. The skinny jeans were out, and might never fit again, and what used to be donned as her fat day pants now fit like a charm. And the extra curveage around the hips and butt actually looked flattering. The waif-model look was so last year anyway. Or at least that’s what Sage made herself believe, refusing to allow anything to ruin her day.

If things went according to plan, she’d be bringing Luke back to her place, or going home with him to his. She didn’t want to chance Lucy walking in on them, and knowing his pesky little sister, she’d love doing just that, so Sage would convince him to go back to her place.

She stripped the sheets and put on a clean set, fluffed the pillows, and pulled up the comforter. The room didn’t need to look fancy. They’d hardly be looking at the décor. After practicing her yoga breathing until her heart rate steadied, she picked up her cell, dialing Luke’s number.

When he didn’t answer, she panicked, not having planned a message.

“Hi. Luke. It’s Sage. Can you…uh. I’d like to have lunch with you today. Or dinner. Or drinks. Are you free? Um, if not, that’s okay. I understand. Don’t worry about it. Have, uh, a good day.”

OhmyGod.
What an idiot.
She was used to making calls all day long and leaving messages. Why did she have to sound like a pre-pubescent girl asking for a boy’s number? She went about her day meeting with vendors, inspecting the decorations for the Insulet Company’s Halloween party and the Regan wedding. Both were running smoothly, but she sent a few unnecessary texts to Lucy anyway. The days had become cold and weathercasters even predicted snow late tonight. Never one to be too concerned about the weather except for planning shoes and outdoor events, Sage couldn’t care less if it rained, snowed, or if they had a tornado. As long as she got to see Luke again.

By noon she’d checked her phone at least fifty times, and still no reply from Luke. Maybe he worked an all-nighter and was sleeping? Or he got called away to a blaze and didn’t have his phone on him? Yes, those would be the only reasons for him not to reply. His manners were too impeccable to ignore a message like that.

A desperate message looking for a booty call. No, more than that. What exactly she didn’t know, but she wanted more than Luke’s booty. The ring indicating an incoming text made her jump. It was from Lucy:

Have u heard from Luke?

Snoopy little brat wanted to get her nose in the middle of things. Tempted to tell her to mind her own business, Sage typed in a reply to that effect, and thought better of it, quickly deleting it. Maybe she knew something.

Not yet. He’s probably sleeping or working.

Sage waited for a reply but none came. The next hour dragged as she painted on a fake smile, minded her manners when she wanted to snap, and reassured her clients that everything was running according to plan. By seven o’clock the parties were well underway and no longer needed her assistance. Still, no texts from Luke or Lucy.

Saddened by his rejection, Sage drove home and nuked herself a Lean Cuisine dinner. Her heart weighed heavily in her chest, and her legs were too weak to hold her upright. Pulling out a barstool, she slumped over her kitchen counter. Startled by the dinging of the microwave three minutes later, she jumped out of her seat and violently yanked out her cardboard dinner.

The tiny portion of chicken lo mein held no appeal to her empty and hurting stomach, so she dumped it into the trash and dragged her exhausted body to her bedroom. Changing into her comfy pajama bottoms and the worn Red Sox sweatshirt that Luke had left one night months ago, she nestled into a corner of her couch and turned on the television that she hadn’t watched in ages.

Every local channel had the same news report of a third alarm fire in Lewiston. Firefighters from ten area stations were called in to battle the blaze. One of the deserted warehouses along the Androscoggin River was engulfed in flames, threatening to burn the few lucrative businesses and apartment buildings across the street. The reporter spoke of arson, of the large homeless population who inhabited the warehouse on cold days and nights, and the firefighters risking their lives to save those trapped inside.

“This just in,” the reporter from channel six interrupted. “Our cameras have footage of three firefighters emerging from the flames carrying one of their fallen. Our cameraman was able to zoom in and picked up the Portland logo on the helmet. Unofficial reports are stating at least two are dead and one is being transported to Maine Medical Center for smoke inhalation and burns. This man could be the third. We’ll keep you up-to-date with coverage all night on this station, or visit us on the web at—” Sage stopped listening as her heart beat through her chest and drummed loudly in her ears.

Picking up her phone, she called Lucy. It rang and rang and rang.

No.
She would have returned the texts from earlier or answered her phone unless she…unless. Sage tried Luke’s phone again but it went right to voicemail. She scrolled through her list of contacts and called the detective who worked Lucy’s case. He answered, claiming he didn’t know the status of any of the Portland firefighters. He wouldn’t deny or confirm any were injured or worse.

Brian.
Sage didn’t have Brian or Claire’s numbers so she called Rayne. “Please tell me he’s not at that fire.”

“Sage?”

“Is Luke there?”

“I talked to Claire. Brian is holding things down at the station. He’s okay.”

“Good. That’s good.” How selfish of her not to think about Brian and Claire. But her heart and head were in the same place. “And Luke?” Rayne sat silent on the other end of the phone. “Rayne, please,” she cried. “Please tell me he’s not there.”

“Oh, honey. I’m coming over right now. Stay put.”

“Is he…is he?”

“Sweetie, I don’t know. He’s there at the fire, but I haven’t heard if he was one of those brought to the hospital.”

“You don’t have to come.”

“Of course I do. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

Sage had worked so hard to plan everything in her life. This thing in her chest though, this wasn’t planned. Losing Luke was like a gouge to her soul with a hot poker that ironically turned her blood cold, her stomach sick, and her body crippled with shock.

No, she couldn’t think about him gone. He had to be okay. Luke was too strong physically, too full of life to let one fire take him down. He’d fight to stay alive, to take care of his family. They needed him and he’d do everything in his power to stay around for them. Because that was Luke. Selfless to the core. She had to believe he was still alive.

True to her word, her nine-month pregnant sister came hurdling through the door and threw her big belly and loving arms around Sage. She couldn’t help but tremble in her sister’s embrace.

“Come on. Let’s sit. And turn this off.” Rayne picked up the remote and turned off the television.

“I love him, Rayne.”

“I know you do, sweetie.”

“I mean it. I think I knew it a long time ago, but I took him for granted. I realized I needed him yesterday and called him this morning.”

“That’s good.” Rayne rubbed her hand up and down Sage’s arm. “I’m sure he was pleased to hear from you again.”

Sage shook her head and let the tears pour out. “He didn’t answer and didn’t call back. I’ve been waiting all day. Then I saw that,” she said, pointing to the television. “If I lose him…I never got to tell him…he’ll never know. Tell me he’s okay. Please, Rayne.”

Rayne pulled Sage down to the couch and held her, stroking her head until the shaking stopped. The crying, the cuddling, the shakes were new and terrifying. Sage had never broken down before and she didn’t know how to stop herself or the constant pain that pierced her heart.

She must have fallen asleep. When she opened her eyes, Thyme was sitting on the floor in front of her, nursing a cup of tea.

“Where are the babies?”

“Home with Grayson and Maddie.”

“You didn’t have to come. It’s not like…it’s not like Luke is my…or that we know if he’s…” Yet he felt like her boyfriend. He’d been right all along. What they had was a relationship whether she’d admit it or not. The man was too kind, too honest, too caring to be with a woman as selfish as her, but Sage couldn’t help the longing in her chest, the tightening in her heart every time she thought about him.

“Shh, it’s okay,” Rayne said. “You’d be there for us if the roles were reversed. Waiting is painful.”

“Have you heard anything?”

“I asked Claire to call me if she hears anything about Luke.”

“You’re sure she’ll call right away? Is your phone on? Your battery charged?” It would be just like her sisters to not have their phones charged at one hundred percent.

“Our phones are working just fine. I’ll make you some tea.” Thyme kissed Sage’s cheek and got up. “Would you like something to eat as well? If I know you, you’ve got a freezer stocked full of microwave dinners.”

Sage shook her head and sat up. “I can’t eat right now.”

Rayne’s cell phone beeped and Sage jumped.

“It’s okay. I’ll be right back.” Rayne hid the caller information from the screen and went into Sage’s bedroom. This couldn’t be good. She would only go into the other room if something bad had happened. Sage needed to know who the caller was, what he or she had to say about Luke. She pictured him hurt, burned from battling the flames, from saving someone’s life.

Or worse. Dead.

Such a good man. A true hero. And here she was, a bitchy party planner who complained about everything in life. If ever two people were more opposite and so not meant for each other. Still, she couldn’t help the way her heart sped up with every mention of his name.

Thyme returned to the couch and pulled Sage into a hug. “We’re here for you, sister. Whatever you need.” They sat quietly, waiting for Rayne to return.

When she did, she kept her eyes on the floor until she sat down and took Sage’s hand in hers.

“No.” Her heart sank to the pit in her stomach, her throat tightening with fear, her eyes spilling with unfamiliar tears.

“He’s alive.”

“Thank God,” Sage cried before throwing herself at Rayne.

“But he’s been badly burned and has inhaled a lot of smoke.”

Sage jumped up and grabbed her keys. “I need to get to the hospital. Now.”

Rayne couldn’t lift herself off the couch as quickly, but she managed to get up and stop Sage before she bolted out the door. “You’re in no condition to drive and there isn’t anything you can do right now. It’s going to be a long night for him. We’ll go in the morning after you’ve had some rest.”

“Are you kidding me? Would you sit around and wait if it were Trent in there? Or Grayson?” She turned to Thyme. “I’m going to the hospital. You can tag along or I can text you an update in the morning.”

“I’ll drive. You both are in no condition to be behind the wheel.” Thyme took Sage’s keys from her and tossed them on the counter. “Let’s go.”

The emergency room was packed with sick, injured, and the old, as well as police officers and firefighters. Maybe sitting in the middle of mad chaos wasn’t the best idea. She spotted a familiar head of jet black hair in the far corner.

“Lucy.” Sage ran to Luke’s sister and stopped suddenly in front of her, unsure what to do since Sage wasn’t a hugger, and neither was Lucy. This time their stare-down didn’t last as long, both of them caving and falling into each other in a silent hug. She felt a reassuring hand on her back and turned to find Doreen. “Mrs. Riley.”

“Oh, honey, I’ve been worried about you.” Doreen pulled her into a motherly hug and stroked her hair, similar to Rayne’s comforting arms that Sage had often brushed off or escaped from too quickly. They must have taught that nurturing move in mothering school. “It looks like your sisters have been taking good care of you. I was so afraid you’d be alone tonight.”

“How can you be thinking about me when Luke is in there, fighting for his life?”

“Because he loves you. And if my son loves you, so do I.”

No words could express what she was feeling. Sage sniffed and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “Have you heard anything?” She looked down at Blake and Rachael, who were sitting close, holding hands and leaning on each other.

“It’s pretty crazy right now with the media hype and every firefighter and police officer who isn’t working pacing the ER. The nurses know where we are and as soon as he’s out of surgery they’ll bring us to a different waiting room. We’re the lucky family.”