“That’s just the thing.” She chewed her lip. “How’s he gonna find out?”

“Are you insane? You plan on never seeing Sydney again?” Valerie stopped and seemed to ponder what she had just said “Actually, that wouldn’t be such a bad idea. But I’m sure that’s not part of your plan is it?”

Sarah looked at her, still chewing her lower lip. There was no way she could just dismiss Sydney, as if he were just an old boyfriend. He was so much more to her. He was family. Angel was just gonna have to understand that. But Valerie did have a point. She could cut down on the phone calls.

“No, of course I plan on seeing Syd again,” she said. “I’ll just have to be honest with Angel, just not yet.”

Valerie raised an eyebrow, “When?”

“Well, I’m not planning to sit him down and talk to him about this. I don’t wanna make that big a thing out of it. We haven’t discussed Sydney lately. The next time the subject arises, and he refers to Syd as a she, I’ll just correct him.”

Valerie looked at her unimpressed. “That easy. uh?”

Sarah held her chin up. “Sure, why not?”

Valerie shook her head. “Well, cuz,” she said. “I wish you luck. Just remember the longer you wait the worse it’s gonna be. Just don’t be too disappointed, if it doesn’t go over that well when you just correct him.”

Sarah frowned, but before she could respond her phone rang. It was Angel. Valerie jumped up and ran over to listen in as usual.

“Hello?”

“Hey, I gotta go to the restaurant, we’re a little short on staff this morning. I’m not sure what time I’ll be able to pick you up, but I really want you to come down for the brunch. Would you be okay if I sent Eric to pick you up?”

Valerie motioned that she could give Sarah a ride. “Valerie could give me a ride, Angel. But are you sure I’m not gonna be in your way?”

“No, not at all,” he said. “Yeah, bring her. Tell her brunch is on the house.”

Valerie clapped her fingers together, smiling big. Sarah looked over at her almost empty plate on the desk and wanted to laugh.

“Okay, what time should we be there?”

“Be here as early as possible. That way as soon as I’m done we can take off.”

Valerie made a coddling face and puckered her lips. Sarah nudged her playfully. “Okay, as soon as she’s ready we’ll leave.”

No sooner had she hung up than Valerie ran to the desk to get her plate. She was nearly out the door, when she stopped sharply. “Oh, hey, did you ask him about stupid Dana?”

Sarah shook her head. “No, I might today.”

“I almost forgot why I came in here to begin with,” She made a sour face. “Last night after you guys left, she showed up still wearing his jersey, and within a couple of hours she was crying drunk. Her bonehead friends hovered all around her consoling her, making a ridiculous scene. I even heard her asking Eric how Angel could hurt her so bad. I’m telling you she’s pathetic. She really acts like they had something. It’s such a joke. Like I said before Sarah, don’t argue with him because of her. But you might want to ask him to get his jersey back.”

Sarah felt an uncomfortable fog settle over her. Valerie was adamant that there was never anything real between Dana and Angel. But she wasn’t so sure anymore. She’d seen the way he acted when she talked to him at school. It was too nice for her to stomach. She knew he wasn’t rude, but she wished he’d just ignore her. Instead, he listened attentively. Now she was crying over him, and at a party, in front of everyone?

She was absolutely bringing it up today.

CHAPTER 10

Valerie squealed in delight when Sarah told her about meeting Alex. But Sarah had left a few things out. On the way to the restaurant, Sarah thought it was only fair she fill Valerie in on everything she’d told Alex. To her surprise, Valerie wasn’t fazed.

“God, Sarah,” she laughed. “As if he doesn’t have a big enough head already.”

Sarah thought of the outrageous way he’d flirted with her. Yeah, he was a ham, but not necessarily conceited. “I didn’t get the impression he had a big head.”

Valerie rolled her eyes. “Sarah, I told you they’re all sweethearts. I’m sure he’s a real nice guy, but trust me he knows he’s hot.”

Sarah smiled. She had to admit there was no way he couldn’t know. “But you’d go out with him if he asked you right?”

“Are you kidding?” Valerie said. “He's the ideal guy for me. He’s so hot, older, and more experienced than most of the lame guys from school. The last thing I’d have to worry about with him would be any pressure to commit.”

Sarah’s jaw dropped. “You mean you wouldn’t want a relationship even with him? I thought he was the man of your dreams?”

Valerie turned to look at her. “Oh, he is, and I’d be all over him if I ever got the chance. But I learned my lesson with Reggie, Sarah. As much as I liked him, after a while it just got to be too much. I couldn’t stand it. If I hadn’t broken up with him I would’ve cheated on him for sure.”

Sarah was floored. “Really?”

Valerie nodded as she pulled into a parking spot across from the restaurant. She turned the car off and pulled down her visor to check her face in the mirror.

“Yeah.” She powdered her face. “I know it sounds terrible but Monica and the girls had already gone to T.J. a couple of times and it killed me that I couldn’t go because of Reggie. When you go to T.J. you’re gonna hook up. No question about it. I’d already told them that the next time they went I was going with them for sure.”