Ripped at the Seams by Nancy Krulik Page A

disappointed. “Well, at least you’re in the door. Maybe you can get someone there to look at your designs.”
    â€œThat’s what I was thinking. My boss is a junior designer, so he’ll look at them.” Sami thought for a moment. Bruce hadn’t exactly said that he would look at her portfolio—but he hadn’t said he wouldn’t, either.
    â€œWhat’s your boss like?” Celia asked.
    â€œNice,” Sami assured her. “He’s very supportive. He took me out to lunch today. We have a good time at the office. And he’s got the biggest green eyes, and a great smile.”
    â€œSounds like Sami’s got a crush … ,” Celia teased.
    â€œNo.” Sami denied it vehemently—maybe
too
vehemently. “I’m just describing him, that’s all.”
    â€œOkay.” Celia didn’t sound convinced.
    â€œCeil …”
    It was Celia’s turn to giggle. “So tell me about the apartment. Where are you?”
    â€œIn the East Village, just off St. Marks Place. I have a great roommate. Her name is Rain, and she’s a model.”
    â€œWow! A model! How cool is that?” Celia seemed suitably impressed.
    â€œIt’s a lot of fun around here,” Sami assured her. “Everyone’s so nice. The guy across the hall’s a carpenter from Brooklyn. He’s nice, but he’s really tough. You wouldn’t want to mess with him. He went up to the hotel with me to get my stuff, and he convinced the manager not to charge me for today, since I wasn’t sleepingthere or anything.” Sami smiled, remembering how Vin had stood tall over Bud, threatening him without even saying a word. Bud had crumbled like a pile of dust. “And by the time we got back here, Rain had brought in pierogis for dinner.”
    â€œWhat are pierogis?” Celia asked.
    â€œOh, they’re these Russian potato-onion crepe things. They’re so delicious. I’ve never eaten anything like them!”
    â€œEverything sounds really great, Sami,” Celia said with a voice slightly tinged with envy.
    Sami knew Celia well enough to sense the small drop of melancholy in her tone. There was a time Celia had had big dreams too. But now, with the baby and all … Immediately, Sami changed the subject. “So, what’s new with you?”
    â€œWell, I think I might have felt the baby kick,” Celia whispered into the phone.
    â€œHow cool is that!” Sami exploded. “Al must have flipped.”
    â€œAl doesn’t know,” Celia whispered.
    â€œWhy not? And why are you whispering?”
    â€œBecause I’m not sure it was really the baby kicking. It felt like a little flutter, but it could have been gas. Anyway, I don’t want Al getting all excited until I’m sure. You know how he gets. He’ll have his hand on my stomach all the time, and you can’t even feel it from the outside yet.”
    â€œOh Celia, I wish I were there with you for all this,” Sami said honestly.
    â€œJust make sure that cute boss of yours gives you time off at the end of January to come home and meet your little niece or nephew.”
    â€œOh, I’ll be there,” Sami promised. “I wouldn’t miss it for
anything
.”
    â€œI know,” Celia replied softly. “But you’d better hang up and get some rest. You’re a working girl now!”
    â€œGee, I am, aren’t I?” Sami said excitedly. “Hey, will you tell my dad I’m okay?”
    â€œYou haven’t called him yet?” Celia asked her.
    â€œI’ve tried to, a few times. But I always hang up before he can answer. It was so bad between us before I left. I’m sort of afraid to talk to him.”
    Celia was quiet for a minute. Samiknew her best friend—and now sister-in-law—was remembering how Mac Granger could get when he was crossed. She also knew that he was still extremely angry at Sami