The Promotion

Chapter Forty-Six

The day passed in a blur.

Alexander and I barely had a moment to breathe between back-to-back meetings, endless emails, and stacks of paperwork that seemed to multiply by the hour. More than once, I caught myself staring blankly at the screen, my mind wandering somewhere far from spreadsheets and agendas.

I'd planned to see Sarah during her break. I'd even reminded myself twice.

But somehow, the day slipped through my fingers.

By the time the office began to quiet down and the clock crept closer to evening, exhaustion settled into my bones. Still, one comforting thought carried me through the last hour: Maggie's lasagne.

That alone felt like a reward.

As we wrapped up, I decided to invite Lily too. It felt right — a small celebration, something warm and grounding. But there was only one person missing from the picture.

Sarah.

On the drive home, I turned my phone over and over in my hand, my thumb hovering just above her name. Every time I went to press it, something stopped me. A hesitation I couldn't explain. Almost like a tight string pulling back at my wrist.

"What's on your mind?" Alexander asked gently, his hand finding mine. He pressed a soft kiss to my knuckles, the warmth of it easing something tight in my chest.

I exhaled slowly. "I need to call Sarah. Invite her over for dinner."

He glanced at my phone, then back at me. "You look like you're about to jump off a cliff."

I let out a weak laugh. "I don't know what's wrong with me. I just... I don't want her to say no." My voice dipped. "We've been distant these past few days. I don't know what changed."

Alexander turned fully toward me, his expression open and steady. He gently took the phone from my hand, then laced our fingers together instead.

"She's your best friend," he said calmly. "Whatever's going on, it won't be fixed by avoiding her. Call her."

Something in his certainty gave me strength.

I dialled.

The ring barely finished before she answered.

"Louisa! I'm so glad you called," Sarah exclaimed, her voice bright and familiar — the sound alone making my shoulders relax.

"I was literally about to ring you," she laughed. "You read my mind."

Relief washed through me so quickly it almost made me dizzy.

"You have no idea how good it is to hear your voice," I admitted.

"There's something I need to tell you—"

"What? What is it?" she gasped, cutting me off.

I smiled. "You'll have to come over. Dinner tonight."

"Say no more. I'll be there."

When the call ended, the weight I'd been carrying dissolved. I leaned into Alexander's shoulder, closing my eyes.

For the rest of the drive, I let myself breathe.

⸻

The house glowed with warmth when we arrived.

Maggie and I stood back to admire the table — candles flickering softly, pale pink and white flowers arranged delicately between plates and glasses. It felt intimate. Intentional.

Lily had arrived earlier, helping Maggie while I hovered uselessly with nervous energy.

Still, no Sarah.