Finding Sage (Young Adult)

Twenty-One: Dueling Mates

"Miss Walker, your taxi is waiting," the doorman greets me when I step off the elevator.

"Oh no, I don't have a car. I'm walking," I say.

"Oh no Miss, please let me show you the way."

A taxi is parked outside the building. As we approach, Kellan steps out. "Hello Sage, I didn't want you to have to walk, even if it's only a few blocks. It might not be safe, considering the latest news."

"Umm. Hi Kellan," I say, reluctant to get into the taxi with him. I am still mad at him for telling Finley I could not come to dinner. That was not his decision to make and he has no claim on me. However, as soon as we are sitting together, I see and smell him. He looks incredible and smells even better. I feel my anger withering away, being absorbed into the seats of this cab. I want to roll my eyes at myself for being so soft.

"Sage, you look so beautiful," Kellan says and his eyes are wide and they scan up and down my body, examining everything on me.

"I'm a little mad at you, Kellan. Maybe I should just walk," I say, looking out the window. The taxi has not moved because it's waiting for a traffic opening.

"Because I told Finley you had plans tonight?" He asks the question but it sounds like a statement.

I nod but do not look at him.

Kellan sandwiches my hand between both of his. I try to ignore how my arm tingles when he touches me. "I guess I understand that Sage. I could not stand the idea of you going out with my best mate, but I thought about it all afternoon, and I have come to a decision."

His words stop, causing me to look at him. I raise my eyebrows in question.

"You know I hate it when you won't look at me when I'm talking to you," he says and it makes me smirk a little. "Do you want to know the decision I made?"

"I guess so?" I say, slightly unsure but very curious.

"I just want you to be happy, and if Finley can make you happy, then I will learn to live with it," he says.

Now that is something Donovan would never say to me in a million years, I think. I smile and look down, but don't allow my hand to rest in his.

The Smash hostess greet both Kellan and I with a friendly hug and seats us immediately. I search the room for Finley and Bridget, but they have not arrived.

Kellan notices me looking around and says, "Oh they will be a half hour late. They are always thirty minuets late to every social event we've ever been to. It's rather annoying."

"Hello, I will be your server this evening," Sloan looks at Kellan and winks. I nearly throw up. "Can I offer you some appetizer suggestions?"

"No, I say, but you can get Greg. I would like to speak to him, immediately, please," I say. I don't look at Kellan or Sloan. I cannot believe Greg has given her to us as our server.

Greg is at our table quickly, which is good because Kellan noticed my reaction to Sloan and we've both become uncomfortable. "Hello Kellan," he says, going in for a kiss which Kella deflects by sitting back and holding out his hand for a proper greeting. "Don't you look hot tonight," he chuckles, letting the handshake take place.

Greg's eyes rest on me, "On my ever living God, Sage. Please stand up and show me what you are wearing."

I giggle and stand for Greg. He spins me around and says, "You could make me straight, and that is no joke!" He kisses me on the cheek and runs his fingers down my braid.

I smile and laugh a little. He grabs my hand. "Come on, Francis must see you. You look like you should be on the red carpet."

He pulls me into the kitchen. Francis has me twirl around so he can see my entire outfit. He says something in French that I do not understand. When I ask him what he said, Sloan replies, "In France there is a saying that indicates when a woman has reached perfection. You, my dear, have done that very thing this evening. You look amazing."