Page 47 of Derivation

CHAPTER 13

“Do you want to drive with us?” Arlowe asked Sarai.

“We’re not already driving together? There’s only four of us.”

“I was just checking if maybe you and Gabi wanted to drive separately so that you can leave earlier or something.”

“Gabi and me?”

“You weren’t exactly excited about going tonight, and I got the impression that Gabi was tagging along.”

Sarai slipped on her shoes, stood up from the sofa, and said, “We’ve had, like, five parties in nine years, but now that Vi lives somewhere else, we’re having one or two a week. It’s excessive. And Gabi isn’t tagging along. She was invited.”

“Enya and I are leaving.” Arlowe turned to the hallway. “As soon as she gets her ass out here!” she yelled. “So, if you want to drive with us, you should grab Gabi and get out to the car. This offer expires in three minutes.”

“The environment be damned? We’re driving two cars to the same place that’s, like, twenty minutes away.”

“Yes, that’s what’s happening unless you grab Gabi and get outside now. Enya, we’re leaving! They’re going to have the fancy food platters. You know how Vi is. I want that roast beef that costs more than my arm per pound, and I don’t want them to run out before I get there.”

“We’re leaving already?” Enya asked.

“Already? You’re late.”

“Oh,” Enya said. “Well, I’m here now.”

“Enya, shoes,” Sarai noted, pointing down at her bare feet. “I’m going to check on Gabi. You two just go.”

She walked down the hall and knocked on Gabi’s closed door. A second later, it opened, and Gabi stood there in an adorable red-and-white sundress with a thin white belt around her waist and white flats with gold buckles.

“Oh,” Sarai said.

“Oh, what?” Gabi asked, taking her in. “I wasn’t supposed to dress up, was I?”

“Huh?”

“You’re in jeans and a sweater. She said it was a come-as-you-are thing, but I thought it was Violet, so she probably expects people to come in business suits, and I–”

“How do you know her so well already?” Sarai asked, laughing.

“She was wearing black slacks and a silk blouse to run errands this morning, so…”

Sarai laughed again and said, “You look nice. You’re not too dressed up. I just don’t care that much, so I went with a comfy crew neck. Should I change?”

“No, you look great,” Gabi said with a smile, and Sarai was only somewhat embarrassed by the blush that crept up her neck at that compliment.

“We’re leaving!” Arlowe yelled from the living room.

“Oh. Sorry, we’re late. I just need to grab my–”

“Don’t worry. They’re driving separately because Arlowe wants to steal the fancy food from Violet before anyone else does.”

“Huh?”

“Nothing. Take your time. I will be in the living room when you’re ready.”

“I’m ready. I just need to grab my purse.”

Sarai heard the front door open and close. She didn’t want to drive with Enya and Arlowe. Arlowe had been right about that. Arlowe liked to stay longer at parties. Enya usually liked to leave early, but because she could just go outside or into another room and do something on her phone, she was typically fine waiting until everyone else wanted to leave. Sarai didn’t want to stay long. She was only going there because Violet would’ve been pissed if she hadn’t, but she’d had an eventful week, with all the parties, going out the previous night with Gabi, and well, Gabi herself moving in, on top of work, so she would much rather have grabbed a bowl of ice cream, eaten it in bed, and fallen asleep early. Her attitude on the party had changed, though, the moment Gabi had opened her bedroom door looking how she did in that dress.