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Even though it was Kendra's birthday, Mr. Crewe sat at the head of one table. Mrs. Crewe sat on one side of him and Kendra sat on the other. Kendra looked stunning and much older than sixteen in a pale pink dress that was the perfect counterpart to her sparkling eyes and dark brown hair.
Simon indicated my seat, and I was uncomfortably aware that I was seated in the section that seemed to be reserved for family. Grant's parents, who I had met before when they had visited him at school, were seated there as well as aunts, uncles and cousins I had met during the party. Grant was standing by his chair and Sarah was standing next to him. They seemed to be arguing and I could hear them as we drew closer.
"No, Grant. The seats are assigned. I'm not just sitting there."
"Sarah, just sit down. It doesn't matter."
"Of course it matters. They didn't just put placecards on the seats for fun. It's to show people where they're supposed to sit. And Cara is sitting here." Sarah flung her hand at the placecard of the seat that Grant was trying to make her sit in.
"She can sit in your seat."
"I most certainly will not." Cara appeared, looking cross and annoyed. "Are you trying to pawn my seat off to someone else, Grant? Since when did you ever mind sitting next to me?" She looked at Grant suggestively and for some reason that made Grant even madder.
"Yes, why are you trying to pawn off her seat?" Sarah said, in a sickeningly sweet voice. I heard the pain behind it. I wondered if Grant did. Sarah smiled falsely at them. "Have a wonderful dinner."
She walked away, and I looked up at Simon who nodded his head in understanding. I followed Sarah and grabbed her arm. Sarah whirled around, her eyes sparking with fury, but it was extinguished when she saw that it was me.
"Oh, Caitlin," she said sadly and quietly. "Why did I think this trip was a good idea?"
"What's happening, Sarah?" I asked. "What's going on between you and Grant?"
She sighed heavily, watching people settling down for dinner. Fortunately, people were mingling as they took their time to find their seats, so we didn't look out of place still standing.
"Grant told me tonight that he has feelings for me."
"That's wonderful! Isn't that what you wanted?"
Sarah shook her head. "He told me he has feelings for me, but that he promised Cara he wouldn't date anyone without telling her first. He thought I should know because that was the reason he had to wait until he had a chance to talk to her before pursuing anything."
"What?!" I was shocked and disgusted. What the hell was wrong with Grant? How could he be so stupid? And why would he have to tell Cara who he was dating? What kind of sick codependency did they have?
"I know. I told him his feelings weren't strong enough if they were based on how Cara would react. He kept telling me that he wanted to explain why, but I don't care. I've wasted enough of my time hoping that he might give me the time of day. I've realized that it's not enough. I've had enough."
"Oh, Sarah." I wrapped my arms around her, unmindful of the formal dresses we were wearing or the setting we were in. All I knew was that she was in pain. "Do you want to leave? We can sneak upstairs. Or I can ask Simon if we can use his car to go somewhere. I'm sure he won't mind." I gave her a small smile. "I'm sure we can find a place with margaritas."
"No, I'm not running away. I'm here for Kendra's birthday party."
"Why don't I sit next to you then?"
Sarah shook her head. "I saw my seat assignment. It's down the table." She forced a smile. "And I see some good looking guys sitting nearby. I guess they knew what they were doing with the seating arrangement."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure. I'm okay, Caitlin. Please just go enjoy your night. I'll feel even worse if I ruin it for you. You and Simon look so happy together. It makes this night somewhat manageable."
"Okay," I said, hesitatingly. "But if you change your mind, just come over and grab me."
"I will." Sarah squeezed my arm in thanks and headed to her seat. I walked back to Simon and he was looking at me with questioning eyes. I shook my head, not wanting to explain. Grant was sitting pretty close to us, and I was afraid if I told Simon what happened, my anger would be reignited and I would take my shoe and throw it at Grant's head.
The dinner itself was amazing. Course after course came out until I thought I would pop. I didn't even know what half the things on the plates were, but it was all delicious. Conversation was light and easy, with Kendra talking about all the fabulous things she had received. I wasn't sure when she had actually received all these presents because I hadn't seen anyone show up with one. Maybe rich people did these things discreetly.
Sarah and I had gotten Kendra a gift together and had given it to her earlier during lunch. It had been a pair of earrings and a necklace we had bought in a small boutique back in Rochester, where a woman sold handmade jewelry. Kendra had squealed with delight and proclaimed that she loved them. She had been beside herself when Simon had given her his present. A plane ticket to Rochester right before Thanksgiving.
I periodically checked on Sarah, glancing at her to see if she was okay. Every time I looked over, she seemed to be laughing and talking to the people seated around her. And she was right. Many of them were good looking guys her age.
Grant's expression seemed to darken with every minute. Cara chattered on beside him but I couldn't hear what she was saying. Grant barely seemed to be paying attention as he spent more time throwing back drinks than eating his dinner.
"What's going on with Grant and Cara?" I asked Simon quietly. I wondered if he knew about the deal Grant had with Cara.
