Page 42 of Hidden Desire

“You’re an Occupational Therapist, right?” Natalia asked.

“That’s correct.” Sage nodded. “It’s a rewarding career, and I wouldn’t do anything else.”

“That’s exciting. It’s great to find something that you love and enjoy doing. That’s what I’m working towards. Just two more semesters and I’ll be graduating. Thank heavens!”

“What are you going for?” Sage asked. Natalia seemed genuinely interested, and having a conversation with her was easy, as long as she didn’t have Ariel interrupting with her holier-than-thou attitude. She was possibly just trying to be the protective friend, but she was overly protective and didn’t need to be quite that aggressive.

“Anthropology.”

“That’s awesome. I took a course in college, and it was interesting stuff. I wish you the best in your endeavors.”

“Thank you!” Natalia grinned brightly, and the mood at the table eased slightly.

The waitress came back to the table with their food, and they all started to eat the omelets and French toast they had ordered. “How’s your eggs?” Stassi whispered.

“Delicious.” And Sage wasn’t lying. The food was great, but in the back of her mind, she still questioned how much it would all cost her. The conversation stayed light and airy throughout the meal, with Sage talking briefly when someone asked her a question but not fully appreciating the social atmosphere.

Towards the end, when dishes were being cleared, Ariel broke the mood. “Nothing will ever surprise me as much as it did when Stassi told me she was getting a job at the hospital.” She laughed loudly, loud enough that everyone within two tables turned to see what was so funny.

“Is something wrong with the hospital?” Sage asked.

“Not wrong, per se. I just didn’t think Stassi would ever want to stoop to getting a real job. The Stassi I know, would never.”

“Well, Ariel, maybe I’m not the Stassi I used to be.” Sage turned to Stassi when she made that remark. “Ever think of that? People have been known to change.”

“Not that much,” Ariel mumbled.

Sage looked down at the last couple bites of her food and tossed her napkin in its place. Stassi glared at Ariel, a silent remark to tell her to cool it. Stassi reached into the center of the table for the receipt, but Ariel quickly grabbed it.

“Money is tight, so I’ll get the tab. Besides, I invited you both out to brunch. My treat.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Sage argued. “I’m more than capable of paying.” She reached for the receipt, but Ariel pulled it back. Sage raised her hand to say she accepted defeat. “Thank you!”

Ariel nodded. “I’m happy to do it.” She then looked down at her coffee and back up, a smug grin on her face. “I know I might have come off strong, but I only want the best for my friend.”

Sage glanced at Stassi, who had her hand covering her face. “You and me both.”

Stassi dropped her hand, and they got up from the table. “It was nice meeting you both. Maybe we’ll do it again sometime.” She shook Natalia’s hand, then turned to Ariel. Ariel shook it.

“I’ll give you a call later,” Stassi said to Ariel.

Sage felt awkward as they left the table. When they reached Stassi’s car, Sage grimaced.

“Not sure that went so great.”

“It was good. I appreciate you coming. Ariel can just sometimes be forward. Too forward.” She looked down at her clenched hands. “Want to go for a hike? I know the perfect place.”

Sage agreed, and they got into the car, and Stassi drove away. Maybe it was time to decide if what they were doing was worth it, because Sage wasn’t quite sure.

As they started the hike at the park observatory, it gave Sage the opportunity to take a deep breath and try to hone in on her thoughts, without saying anything that she would regret later. She wasn’t the type to discuss feelings, and this was no exception, but as they walked, she started to relax and remind herself that it was Stassi who was beside her. When she was with Stassi, she always felt like she could be herself. There was no reason this should be anything different.

“It’s a beautiful day out,” Stassi replied.

“That it is.” Sage continued to walk, the silence catching up to her again. When they reached a clearing, Sage stopped and turned to Stassi. “This is totally out of my comfort zone, but that’s nothing new this weekend.” She snickered, hoping the lightheartedness attempt was received. “I didn’t know how to respond this weekend as everything we did was out of my comfort zone.” Stassi opened her mouth, but Sage reached up and touched her fingers to her mouth. “It’s made me wonder if we’re meant to be together.”

“Sage,” Stassi began, Sage’s fingers dropping as Stassi’s eyes narrowed in. “Please don’t think that way. I want to be with you. We get along, and to me, we make absolute sense.”

“But,” Sage began. This time, it was Stassi’s fingers that touched Sage’s lips. “Let me finish. I know that you didn’t feel like you belong… first at the photoshoot and then today at brunch. And I’m sorry that you feel that way, but here’s why I think you’re wrong. Ariel and I have been friends for a long time. We have a history.” Sage opened her mouth, and Stassi held up her hand to stall her. “Just like you and Lena have history.”

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