Page 3 of Breadwinner
Their conversation wove between topics: business, sports, strategy. Sarah could hold her own in any discussion, but talking to Nell felt like sparring with someone who knew how to match her step for step, never giving her the upper hand.
“I’m glad to see you here tonight.” Nell’s voice was soft without being dainty in a way where it would get lost. “I’m sure you’ve noticed that our paths keep crossing.”
Sarah sipped her drink leisurely. She had noticed Nell at other events over the past year. It was hard not to see Nell when she was in a room, with the way she commanded attention, but Sarah had never been brave enough to approach her. “We do seem to keep ending up in the same places,” she agreed.
“You interest me, Sarah,” Nell said, matter-of-factly. “Top of your class at Stanford; youngest person—man or woman—to make partner at Braxton and Pryce. The work you were doing was impressive enough that Clint Braxton added your name to the firm, and Clint’s not a man who is easily swayed.”
“You’ve done your research,” Sarah commended, slightly shocked by how much Nell knew about her.
Nell’s smile only broadened. “I like to know who I’m getting involved with. My time is valuable, I ensure the people I spend it on are worth the investment.”
Sarah’s eyes followed Nell’s glass to her lips, watching them pucker as she took a measured sip, andGod, Sarah. Focus.She gulped, forcing her eyes back on Nell’s.
“Was there a verdict? Am I worth your time?”
“I’m still here talking to you, aren’t I?” Grinning mischievously, Nell raised a delicate eyebrow.
“Well, then, consider me flattered,” Sarah said, coyly raising her glass to her lips to conceal her smile. She was half tempted to pinch herself to make sure this was really happening—that she,Sarah Gallagher, was flirting with Nell Stanhope.TheCornelia Stanhope.
This party may have been worth coming to after all.
The amber liquid bit her throat as she swallowed, never breaking Nell’s gaze. She had never seen eyes quite like Nell’s—gray with the tiniest hint of blue.
“You should be, but unfortunately, my time does seem to be coming to an end.” Nell looked over Sarah’s shoulder. When Sarah turned, she saw Lily approaching from across the room with her best friend, Wren Parker, in tow.
Lily was dressed in a shimmery pink tulle cocktail dress and heels higher than Sarah would have ever approved of for a sixteen-year-old, but it was Beth’s week, not hers. Lily was the spitting image of her mother—fair skin, blonde hair, and those same striking blue eyes. In Sarah’s admittedly biased opinion, no one in the world was more beautiful, but she was growing up so fast.
“I was right!” Lily bounced up and down, clapping her hands together as she approached. “You look amazing, Mom.” Sarah beamed as she showed off the dress to her daughter.
“When it comes to this stuff, you usually are.” Sarah hugged Lily, placing a quick kiss on her cheek. “You look beautiful, Lils. And Wren.” She glanced at the taller girl, who seemed even more all-limbs than the last time she’d seen her. “Looking sharp as ever.”
Wren’s eyes immediately found the floor, as they usually did when Sarah spoke to her. “Thank you,” she mumbled.
With her arm still around Lily, Sarah turned to Nell. “Girls, you remember Cornelia Stanhope?” she said, with a small smile. She felt Lily straighten her shoulders, like Sarah always did when wanting to present herself in the best manner.
“Nell, please,” Nell said, shaking Lily’s outstretched hand, and then Wren’s. “Miss Gallagher, congratulations on yourimpressive wins last summer at the Olympics. And Miss Parker, it’s good to see you again. I was glad to see your name on the call-up list for the She Believes Cup. That goal you made in the game against Japan was something else.”
Wren’s cheeks turned bright pink, and Nell quickly glanced at Sarah as if to ask what was going on. Sarah gave her a look that said,That’s Wren, go with it.
“Oh, um, that was nothing, really. I mean, Watson—oh, you know Watson because she, uh, plays for you. She saw the opening, and, uh, it was a team effort,” she finished quietly.
“Wren, we all watched that game, and yeah, Watson saw the opening, but you finished it,” Lily said, bumping her shoulder into Wren before turning to Sarah. “Mom sent me over to grab you. She and Jamie want to get photos before the speeches start.”
Sarah’s eyes flicked to the other side of the room before returning to Nell, who raised a slight eyebrow. “Tell your mom I’ll make my way over in a few minutes,” Sarah said to Lily. “Nell and I were just finishing up our conversation.”
“Okay, but don’t take too long.” Lily turned back to Nell. “It was nice to see you again, Nell.”
“Yeah, nice to see you,” Wren chimed in, before the girls turned and made their way back across the party.
“She likes you, you know,” Sarah said, her voice low as her eyes tracked Lily and Wren where they weaved their way through the crowd. Lily’s strides, even in heels, were pure grace, whereas Wren seemed to stumble every few feet.
Nell’s brow arched slightly. “Wren?”
“Her, too, but I meant Lily.” Sarah’s eyes darted to Nell’s fingers, which were toying absentmindedly with a delicate gold Cartier watch circling her wrist—the only piece of jewelry she happened to be wearing. “You didn’t talk to her like she was a kid. That matters to her. And it matters to me.”
Nell swirled the remaining bourbon in her glass, then took a careful sip. “I don’t talk down to people I respect.”
Sarah’s gaze snapped back to Nell, “I’m not sure if that’s supposed to flatter or terrify me,” Sarah said, aiming for wryness, but her voice was too honest and thoughtful. “If I were a betting woman, I’d say your standards are pretty high.”