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“I . . .” Smitten. Oh, Ryder was going to get a kick out of this. If she made it through the lunch to tell him about it, that was. “Cheryl, I don’t really think we’re . . .”
Cheryl put her hand on Vicky’s. “It’s all right, darling. I wouldn’t have expected the two of you either, but frankly, I’m over the moon about it. I’ve missed you since you and Noah went your separate ways. I know we still see each other, but it hasn’t been the same. And Ryder . . . Well, I can’t tell you how long and hard I’ve hoped for someone to come into his life and give him the love he deserves. And that it’s you, Victoria. I can’t even express . . .” She trailed off as her eyes became glassy. She pulled a handkerchief from her handbag and dabbed daintily at the corners.
What in the name of all that was holy was Vicky supposed to do now?
Learning she and Ryder weren’t together was going to crush Cheryl.
She drew a deep breath. This just made it harder, but it had to be done. Unless she and Ryder were prepared to keep fake seeing each other indefinitely, letting it continue would only make things worse in the end. And while Cheryl was swept up in some romantic fantasy about their relationship, she could guarantee that wasn’t the case for the rest of the world or even the rest of the family.
Her chest felt tight. She was about to hurt a dear, sweet friend. And what was worse, the entire situation was all her fault.
“Cheryl, things aren’t working ou—”
“There you are!”
Cheryl had sprung to her feet and was now greeting someone Vicky couldn’t quite see behind her—
“Have a seat! We’ve just gotten here.”
—Oh good God. It was Sabrina. Noah’s fiancée.
The petite blonde waved shyly. “Hello, Victoria. It’s nice to see you again.”
“It’s... I... hello!” she managed to stammer out.
Her confusion must have read on her face, because Sabrina blushed and looked at Cheryl, who gave a small apologetic smile. “I thought it might be awkward if I told Victoria I had invited you along.”
As opposed to just having her show up? So much less awkward.
Sabrina gave an uncomfortable giggle. “Oh.”
Right. Vicky needed to say something. Now. Fortunately, her years of social graces kicked in. “Well, what a pleasant surprise! It will be so nice for the two of us to have a chance to get to know each other better. Please”—she held out a hand—“join us.”
Sabrina visibly relaxed, which made Vicky relax, at least a little. The two of them sank into their seats.
They smiled at each other for a moment before they both seemed to realize simultaneously that Cheryl had remained standing. They turned to her in unison.
“Well,” she said theatrically, not even bothering to suppress the huge grin on her face, “I think perhaps it would be better if I gave you two a little time alone together.”
Vicky dimly registered the deer-in-headlights look on Sabrina’s face through her own alarm.
“Cheryl, no, please. We’d love to have your company.”
“Mmm-mmm, yes,” Sabrina squeezed out.
“Nonsense. You don’t need an old lady like me hanging around.”
Cheryl was turning fifty-nine next week and was hardly an old lady. “Don’t be silly. Stay.” The note of panic in Vicky’s voice was far more obvious than she would have liked, but considering how this day was going, she considered herself lucky to be retaining any sense of poise.
“Victoria.” The older woman fixed her with a warm, motherly gaze that made Vicky’s heart ache for just a second. “Take the time to get to know each other. You’re both lovely young women. I hope you can become friends.”
Vicky choked back the rush of anxiety, of loneliness, of missing her own mom and gave a stiff nod. She knew Cheryl only had her best interests at heart. She was beyond grateful to have her in her life. She didn’t want to disappoint her. She’d lost her mom. She’d lost Noah, at least the way she’d once had him. She couldn’t stand the thought of losing her too.
Besides, she was right. With Vicky and Noah still working together and, she hoped, eventually putting the awkwardness behind them for good and becoming true friends, she and Sabrina ought to forge as comfortable a relationship as they could.
Cheryl patted her on the shoulder. “Atta girl. You’ll see.” She took her hand in one hand and Sabrina’s in the other. “You two need to be on each other’s side.” She leaned forward, and whispered conspiratorially, “Especially since you might end up sisters-in-law one day.”
She winked, then grabbed her bag, and practically skipped away.
