Page 7 of About Time You Noticed

Ethan leaned in, nudging Tommy’s shoulder with his. "You seem uptight about Sarah dating someone. It's not because—?" He darted a glance across the billiard hall toward the girls.

"Of what?"

Ethan leveled his gaze at Tommy. "You've never once thought of Sarah as more than a friend?"

He snapped his head back. "Never." Tommy's neck heated. How could Ethan even suggest such a thing?

Ethan propped his elbow on the counter and palmed his cheek. "I told Emily you didn’t. She's got some crazy idea that you'll notice Sarah one day, and we can all be this happy-clappy group. Raising kids together, lifelong friends."

Tommy swallowed. "Sounds like a nice fairy tale, but surely you won't exclude us when we don’t get married to each other?"

Ethan gripped his shoulder and grinned. "Of course not. It's Emily's fantasy. Not mine."

"I hope she hasn't told Sarah about her wild ideas."

Ethan's brows twitched. "Um. I better make it clear to Emily there's no way you see Sarah in that way, and—yeah—" His voice trailed off.

Uneasiness coiled in Tommy's belly. Sarah might act awkward around him if Emily had suggested he might have feelings for her.

Ethan cleared his throat. “You know, you are getting older. Where do you see yourself in the next five years? Not single, I hope?”

Tommy raked his hair. “I’m not much of a planner. But having a friend like Paul who drills me about saving for the future, I have made good returns on small investments over the years. Even on a teacher’s salary.” He massaged a tight muscle in his shoulder. “But as far as relationships, it will happen when it happens.”

“Fair statement.” Ethan nodded.

"Look, maybe I’m being selfish, but if Sarah gets serious with someone, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to call her every day."

Ethan slapped the counter. "You what?"

"It’s nice to call a friend at the end of the day. Sometimes it's late, and I don't want to disturb—newlyweds."

Ethan flicked his head back and laughed. "Isn’t calling Sarah every evening a bit much?"

"It goes both ways. She calls me as well."

Ethan's lips thinned. "Bro, I get it. That kind of closeness would make a boyfriend very uncomfortable. Maybe you should cut back on the number of calls, see her less, so it's not so hard when it happens."

Ethan's words stung like a swarm of wasps. Tommy sighed. "You're right."

"I'm always right." The habitual snarky line would usually prompt them to smile, but not today.

***

SARAH SQUEEZED THE beige cream into her palms and rubbed them together. Smoothing the tanning lotion over her freshly shaved legs, she admired the acrylic nails Emily had convinced her to buy. Pretty, pink, and impractical. What was she thinking? But that was it. Emily had done all the thinking for her. She’d whisked Sarah away to the beauty salon and drugstore, basking in her new makeover project, and hadn’t taken no for an answer.

Sarah shook her head. Long nails would get in the way when she worked the horses. Could she file them down herself?

Edward hadn't even asked her out yet. Tommy predicted it would be this week.

Sarah squeezed another generous amount into her hand and completed the right leg. She walked around the bathroom, willing the cream to soak in quicker. Sarah leaned toward the mirror and studied her freckled nose. She’d play it safe and use makeup rather than risk looking like an Oompa Loompa.

Her phone alarm blared the lyrics, You’ve got to move it, move it, reminding her to feed the horses before her first lesson. Most of her income came from managing the boarding side of the business for her parents. A part of her salary package included free accommodation in the granny flat. She only paid for her electricity.

No time to waste. Sarah strode to her bedroom, grabbed her jodhpurs, and tugged on the pants. Most of the cream had absorbed, and she could apply another layer tomorrow if needed. In eight hours, she’d be as tanned as an islander.

Three hours later, smelling like earth and horse sweat, Sarah waved goodbye to her fifth client. Back-to-back lessons made for a crazy morning. Thank God for a thriving business. She had nothing to complain about.

A blue sedan pulled into the gravel drive and her throat clogged when Edward stepped out. It must be his lunch break. She placed her fingers to her wrist and pinched. Not a dream—real. He was going to ask her out. Remain calm like this was an everyday occurrence.

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