Well Suited (Red Lipstick Coalition #4)(30)

I stopped on one side of the coffee table, unsure of where to stand or how to greet her. Rather than make a wrong move, I waited where I was with a practiced smile on my face. I hoped it looked more natural than it felt.

Theo helped her around the table—I batted away the guilt that she would go to trouble for me—and they came to a stop in front of me. She was beautiful, though small, frail, especially next to the vitality of her son. They had the same thick black hair, and her eyes matched her boys’—unfathomably dark and deep. Her smile felt like a hug. And, since I didn’t particularly like being hugged, my preference for her warm smile was easy and welcome. I wanted to wrap myself up in that smile and live there.

“Katherine. It’s good to finally meet you, honey.” Her voice wavered, her hand trembling as she extended it.

I didn’t miss that Theo held on to her.

I took her hand and clasped my free hand to the back of hers, enveloping it like I’d seen Amelia and Rin do. Val was a hugger. I wasn’t quite ready for that though.

“Hello, Sarah. I’m glad to meet you, too.” I paused, feeling like I should say something else but unsure as to what.

“Come sit with me for a minute before dinner?” she asked hopefully.

“Of course,” I answered, composing a list of topics in my mind to carry the conversation as I followed them back to the couch.

“So, Teddy tells me you’re a librarian,” she said as she settled in. “I bet it’s a real treat, being around books all day. I love the smell of old books.”

“Me too,” I admitted. “And it is a treat. I’m a page, which means I shelve books all day. I don’t think I’ve ever done anything so immediately satisfying as putting things where they belong for a living.”

“Does it bother you to be alone all day? I’d probably be talking to myself a couple hours in like a crazy person.”

“Oh, no—the solitude suits me, always has. My parents thought I was odd for preferring books and the comfort of my room to playing outside or making friends.”

She chuckled. “Depends on the kid. Tommy and Teddy were always outside, and they had about a hundred friends. It coulda been thirty degrees and snowing, and they’d be too busy scheming places to sled with their gang to be cold.”

Theo’s face was alight with adoration as he watched over his mother. “There was a hill in Mount Eden, and if we got it before it was plowed, we could sled down the sidewalk on a cardboard box fast enough to give you whiplash.”

“Especially when you hit a trash can,” she added.

Theo smirked. “Tommy lost a tooth. One of many.”

“A third of what he’s got left is porcelain,” Sarah said with a laugh.

“I’ve never broken a bone,” was all I could think to say.

“No, you?” Theo teased. “I was sure you played field hockey.”

My brows drew together in confusion. “Whatever would make you think that?”

He laughed. “Call it a hunch.”

“Contact sports make me uncomfortable. Why would you willingly do something that might injure you? I’ve never understood.”

“That’s because you’ve never played. Or broken anything. It’s almost always worth it.” I must have looked unconvinced because he added, “The adrenaline high. Really, the risk is half the fun.”

Sarah laughed. “I’m with you, Katherine. I’d much rather be reading than risking my neck for a rush. But my boys…well, they were always out for trouble.”

“I’d suspect it’s their testosterone production. It makes males much more aggressive and willing to take risks. It also makes them more competitive. Considering their muscle mass and density of hair, I’d say theirs is quite high.”

This time when Sarah laughed, it was with surprise and what I thought might be a touch of discomfort. I was glad I’d stopped myself before mentioning sexual capacity.

“I’m sorry,” I said, feeling myself flush. “I have a photographic memory and sometimes recite facts when I’m nervous.”

Theo’s face softened.

Sarah’s warmed. “Oh, honey, don’t be nervous. You’re already a part of our family. There’s nothin’ you need to do to hang on to that spot. It’s yours.”

My ribs were a vise, tight around my lungs. “Thank you,” I said quietly, automatically.

“Don’t ever be afraid to speak your mind to me,” she said. “Not about anything, testosterone or otherwise. Anyway, I don’t mean to intrude on your night.” She shifted, bracing herself on the arm of the couch so she could stand. Theo helped her up. “I’ll leave you two to dinner. I’ve got a date with a serial killer.”

I blinked, my lips flattening.

She caught my expression and smiled. “Netflix. The Ted Bundy documentary.”

“Oh, of course,” I said with a sigh.

Sarah smiled up at Theo. “I like her.”

He shot me a pleased glance. “Me too.”

Damn him. Damned hormones. Damned heart, pitter-pattering without my consent.

“I hope we have a chance to get together before you move in, Katherine,” Sarah said. “And if not, I’m looking forward to more facts and less nerves.”