Chapter 7

Sabrina was so keyed up about the move she didn’t get more than a few hours of sleep. She had a stack of boxes near the door, her bed stripped bare, and her apartment cleaned top to bottom by the time her brothers showed up, right on time, early Saturday morning. Familiar with the drill, they each went to work. Aaron’s tools came out and he dismantled furniture, Andy pulled the drawers out of the dressers and carried them out, and Sabrina and Sam carted the boxes down to the vehicles. It reminded her of setting up and breaking down camp when they were younger. Each just automatically took over a task and they all got it done without a lot of fuss.

Her furniture went into the back of Aaron’s pickup. The mattress was wedged on its edge between the dressers on one side and her loveseat on the other. They tucked her de-legged table top between the mattress and the box spring, and her two kitchen chairs rode in comfort on the sofa cushions. All the boxes were loaded into Sam’s SUV.

Sabrina gave Aaron the address, then went back upstairs alone to look the apartment over one last time. The last thing she wanted to do was forget something and have to come back for it.

Now that it was bare it looked even smaller than it had initially, even when it was furnished. How was that possible? It felt like the pitched walls and low ceilings were coming down around her. How did she stand it for so long? She must have been out of her mind when she leaped at this place.

Satisfied that she was leaving it in better, certainly cleaner, condition than she got it, Sabrina set the key on the counter and closed the door behind her. She left it unlocked as per Mrs. Starkey’s instructions. No doubt the woman would be up there going over the place with a fine-toothed comb as soon as she was gone.

She wasn’t planning to stop, but when Mrs. Starkey’s front door opened Sabrina turned, bracing herself for one last unpleasant encounter. She shouldn’t have been surprised. She’d felt the woman’s hard eyes monitoring all of them the entire time from behind her curtains.

Like always, Muffin growled and scratched at the bottom of the metal screen door, trying to get at Sabrina, but Mrs. Starkey somehow managed to keep him back with little or no blood loss.

Sabrina gave Mrs. Starkey an insincere smile. “I’m leaving now. The key is on the counter and the door is open, just like you asked.”

“Fine. Good-bye.”

Sabrina nodded, unable to say anything more to the woman, and headed down to the street. Her brothers were waiting. Andy chuckled at her and got into his pickup. Aaron, shaking his head, climbed into the passenger seat.

Sam hung back and asked, “What’s wrong with that dog?”

Sabrina scratched under her ponytail and shrugged. “I used to think it was rabies, but now I’m pretty sure he’s just plain evil.”

“And you chose this place why?”

“No Carla.”

“Ah.”

The pickup led the caravan, Sam followed in his SUV, and Sabrina pulled up the rear in her little car.

****

Keeping up the tradition, once they had her moved into her new place Sabrina took the guys out for pizza and beer. It was a lot cheaper than hiring movers and an inadequate way to thank them, but they wouldn’t accept anything more. No matter how many times she grumbled about being cursed with three older brothers, when it came down to it, Sabrina was awfully glad they were around and willing to turn up when called.

She returned to her apartment alone to unpack and settle in. While unwrapping plates and glasses, Sabrina came to a decision. This would be her last impulsive move. From now on, she’d look before she leaped, she’d get her personal life in order, and dang it, she was going to meet some men and stop spending her weekends—hell, her week nights, for that matter—like a social outcast.

Something had to change, and this move was going to be the start of a new direction.

Feeling a flood of empowered determination spread through her like warm sunshine, Sabrina actually remembered to set up the coffeepot, water and grounds, for the morning.

****

Tuesday afternoon Jackson presided over the early production meeting.

“Derek, your footage of the Bloodhounds game last night is running long. Can you cut it down by two seconds?” Jackson asked, looking at his notes.

“No problem,” the KBHY sportscaster said, marking his script. “What’d you think of my interview with Coach Berman?”

“It’s good. We’ll air it if nothing important comes in.”

Jack looked up at another man across the conference room table. “Willis, have they got the feed from the Manheim Lanes fire yet?”

Before Willis could answer, Bonnie returned and took a chair. “Just now,” she said, looking at Willis apologetically. “It’s going to need voice-over because no one can get close without a respirator.”

“Justin?” The kid’s eyebrows rose. “Write something up as soon as we’re done here. I’ll need to see it before we air.” Justin nodded and Jackson moved swiftly on.

“Van, you sent Robbins to get footage of former Congressman Shuman’s funeral procession, didn’t you?”

“He’s covering it now.”

“Good.” Jack stood up. “I want to see the scripts and a run-through in one hour.”

His exit dismissed everyone to return to work.

Jackson’s cell rang on his way to his office. He checked the number and smiled. It was his brother on the line. “Hey, Rob,” he said cheerfully. “What’s up?”

“Has dad called you yet?”

“About what?”

“Obviously not.”

“What am I missing here?” Jackson tossed his tablet onto his desk and pulled his chair out. He sat down and set his cane aside. Maybe tomorrow he could leave it home. His ankle was already feeling a good deal stronger. One more night in the Jacuzzi wouldn’t hurt.

Rob cursed, “Damn it, I had a feeling he was going to dump this on me.”

“What’s going on?”

“News. Whether you find it good or bad is beside the point.”

Jack sighed. “Let me have it.”

“Kelli is expecting.”

Jackson pinched the bridge of his nose. “You’re messing with me, right?”

“I wish.”

“Does Mom know?”

“We’re supposed to tell her.”

“So call her.”

“I called you. Besides, you’re her favorite. You should tell her.”

“But you’re the sensitive psychiatrist. You’re uniquely qualified for the job.”

“Nice try.”

Jackson frowned and drooped in his chair. “Are you sure about this?”

“She’s into her fourth month already. They didn’t want to say anything until she made it through the first trimester.”

“Damn.”

“I know. How screwed up is that?”

Jackson hung up the phone and tossed it onto the desk. Groaning, he rubbed his temples, digging in with his thumbs. When he slowly opened his eyes, he found himself staring at the bobblehead turtle on the corner of the desk. He tapped the side of its head, sending it swinging back and forth, but it didn’t take long for it to shift back to its more natural up-and-down pattern.

“Yeah, but no one says I have to call her right now.” He reasoned with the toy. “I’m playing golf with the old man on Thursday morning. She can wait until I’ve talked to him in person first.”

****

Tanya shrieked. “You will? Really?”

“Chill,” Sabrina said, hoping to bring her friend’s enthusiasm down a notch or two. “Yeah, I admit I’m dying to see how the next installment goes tomorrow night.”

“You’re going to love it.”

“I’m coming strictly to watch, so don’t get any crazy ideas.”

The last thing she cared to confide to Tanya was that she was hoping to brush elbows with a guy or two. Perhaps get close enough to get a whiff of cologne. How long had it been since she had actual body contact with a man? Brotherly hugs didn’t count. Before her collision with Jackson, it was too hard to recall, and nothing since. Wasn’t that a sad state of affairs? At least she had a name for him now.

“Did I say anything?” Tanya asked innocently.

“I don’t like that gleam in your eye.”

“I doubt we could use you anyway. There are plenty of women interested in playing.”

“Just so we’re clear.”

****

“And that’s the news for Wednesday, June twenty-first. Thanks for joining us. Good-night,” Justin said warmly, his smile and his handsome face leap-frogging KBHY over the number three news program in just under a month. For the only station in the area not affiliated with a major network, that was big.

“Cue the music and roll credits,” Jackson said into his mike.

The lights dimmed on the news desk, and their team chatted while they waited for the close of the broadcast.

“And we’re out,” Jackson said, cutting the air with his hand the way a conductor would. He pulled off his earpiece and dropped it on the console. Then, kicking back in his chair, he stretched for the ceiling.

Van leaned in. “I thought that went well, but you obviously disagree. Who do you want to see in your office?”

Jackson lowered his arms and frowned. “The show was fine.”

“Well, something’s bothering you. You’ve had a gray cloud over your head for the last two days.”

“I’m not ready to talk about it.”

“You know where to find me if you change your mind.”

“Thanks.”

Van looked at his watch. “It’s ten thirty-three, and I know just the thing to fix your mood. You in?”

“What is it?”

“Trust me.”

Reminding himself that he’d already decided to accept the next invite, Jackson nodded. “I’m in.”

When he caught up with the others, they were huddled together near the door in the middle of an animated discussion, but as soon as he appeared they dropped the topic abruptly. It was a Twilight Zone sort of moment, and Jackson felt an unsettling foreboding as they headed out to their cars.

****

Because Sabrina was coming back to the Oasis later that night, she left work early so she could catch a nap. She wasn’t used to staying up late. By the time ten o’clock hit, she was usually nodding off with a book in her hands.

After she woke, Sabrina ate a light dinner, then went rummaging through her closet for the perfect outfit. Well, maybe the word “perfect” was a bit of a stretch. Hitting nightclubs wasn’t something she typically did, so her clothing options were limited. She rejected outright every dress she owned, because all were bought for special events like weddings, graduations, or other specific occasions. She didn’t want to walk into the Oasis looking like a Sunday school teacher.

She tugged out her skirt rack and studied the form-fitting black leather skirt Toni had passed on to her. After Kipp was born, Toni figured she’d never get into it again. Sabrina had never even tried it on. She’d wondered at the time when she would even wear something like that. Well, she was laughing now. It was the only thing suitable that she owned. Who knew? She looked for a top next, shoving hanger after hanger down the rod and pulling potentials out and tossing them onto the bed. Five minutes later, she turned—and groaned at the pile in front of her.

She’d never realized until now how much she favored soft pastels and basic white. This wouldn’t do. As a last resort, she picked up the hanger with her black silk blouse from Aunt Trudy’s funeral and held it against the skirt. It looked good, but the outfit needed color—bad.

Going back into the closet, she tore into sealed boxes until she found another of her odd impulse purchases—a pair of deep red pumps and the matching belt, still virtually new. That was better.

Now that her outfit was set, she went into the bathroom and spent a decadent twenty minutes luxuriating in the shower, where she shaved not only her legs but her underarms, as well. Take that, Mrs. Starkey! That indulgence alone made the move to her new apartment worthwhile.

Then, belly to the sink, she grinned like a fool into a mirror that was big enough to allow her to see not just her entire face but most of her torso, too. Awesome. She hummed while she dried her hair, then plugged in the curling iron. While it heated she brushed her teeth and thought about make-up. She was a mascara-and-lip-gloss girl, and that was about it, but tonight she should go a little darker, a little smokier around her eyes. She unearthed her neglected cosmetics and fanned everything out on the counter until she found what she was looking for.

“Not too shabby,” she said with satisfaction. She finished her lashes with long sweeping strokes of mascara. “Honey, they don’t stand a chance.”

Now for the lips. Taking the deep red of her belt and shoes into account, she located her darkest lipstick and swept it around her mouth. Blotting it carefully when she was done, Sabrina smiled, then tried a pout, then made a little kitten “rawr” in the glass. Okay, maybe that was a bit much.

She returned to her bedroom and picked up the bottle of perfume Toni and Andy had given her for her birthday. She loved it, but there never seemed to be an occasion to wear it, until now. She opened the bottle and dabbed a little on one wrist and rubbed it against the other. Then a light touch behind each ear. Feeling a little naughty, she brushed her fingertip between her breasts, too.

Even though she was only dressing for herself, she went looking through her lingerie drawer and pulled out her sexy black bustier. A little more rummaging and she found the matching panties and held them in the air triumphantly.

Might as well pull out all the stops, right? You only live once, after all. How often did she get to glam it up? Attending to these little details was the enjoyable side of being a woman and made her feel a little special, a little fun and flirty, and there was a price to pay for neglecting them. It was time to remind herself she was still beautiful, confident, and downright sexy.

Her jewelry was the last thing she tackled, removing the simple gold studs in her ears in favor of large silver hoops. She slipped them on and went back to finish her hair.

****

“Holy shit, Brie!” Tanya shrieked when she saw Sabrina come through the Employees Only door. “You’re gorgeous! I mean, you’re always pretty, but oh, my god, you’re smoking tonight.”

Sabrina blushed but felt so incredibly grateful for the ego boost she hugged her friend. “I feel kind of strange.”

“Don’t.”

Tanya tugged her by the hand through the crush of people. The music was loud, people were everywhere, and they couldn’t get through all the bodies without being bumped or bounced one way or another as they plowed forward.

“Nate!” Tanya yelled as soon as she saw him.

He looked up and his eyes popped. “Wow! Sabrina, you look incredible.”

Her blushes were back. “Thank you.”

“Seriously, I’m kind of sorry you’re my boss right now.”

She laughed. “Knock it off.”

“Now I really think we should do it,” Nate said to Tanya, his eyes glued speculatively on Sabrina. “Did you ask her yet?”

“No.”

“Ask me what?” said Sabrina warily.

“We want you to be one of our bachelorettes,” Tanya said, with a hopeful cringe. Nate nodded.

“No.”

“Come on,” they both crooned together.

“No.”

“Why not?” Tanya whined.

“Because I’ll feel stupid, for one thing.”

Nate leaned in so she could hear him better over the noise. “You don’t have to go first. Stay back and watch how it goes with the first group. We’re about to start. Just give it a chance before you decide.”

“We won’t let you look bad. Promise,” Tanya said, nodding her head.

“Let me think about it.” Sabrina wished they’d just drop it and leave her alone.

****

The cocktail server brought the drinks. Jackson lifted his Crown and Coke to his lips, pleasantly surprised to find they’d mixed it just the way he liked it.

Across the table Justin and Becky looked like two hormonal teenagers in a world all their own. Their hands were conspicuously hidden beneath the table, and Jackson rolled his eyes at Van, not exactly thrilled at the direction this was heading.

Damn it, he didn’t like being here. Jackson was on the lookout for Sabrina the minute they pulled into the parking lot. He couldn’t seem to shake his paranoia. Did recklessly walking into the woman’s lair constitute suicide? Would he have legal recourse if something happened, knowing he went inside of his own volition? Even though he didn’t see her, he was edgy as hell.

He could feel the music thumping through his body, jarring his organs. It was unpleasant, and for the life of him he couldn’t understand why so many people had smiles pasted on their faces. He looked over the packed room and shook his head at all the eye candy on display. What was he doing here? It would be rude to bail this early, but he didn’t intend to stick around any longer than it took him to finish his drink, either.

Nudging Van, who seemed to have no qualms about eyeballing the assorted women, Jack hollered, “Where did Derek go?”

Van yelled back, which seemed ridiculous since they were sitting right next to each other, but it was either that or resort to pantomime. “He saw someone he knew or wanted to know. Hell, I couldn’t hear what he said.” Van craned his neck and looked out over the sea of heads until he spotted their sports anchor. “There he is.”

Derek was clearly turning on the charm for a young woman in a lime green dress, who seemed quite receptive.

“Think he’s doing his Ted Baxter voice?” Jack asked.

“That’s a given.”

“I’ll bet we don’t see him for the rest of the night.”

“Would you come back to us?”

“Hell, no.”

But as soon as the Dating Game started, Derek did rejoin them.

“Are you nuts?” Van asked him.

“Cut me some slack. She’s here with friends, but I got her number. I’m giving her a call tomorrow.”

****

There was a change of music, and Nate walked out and held up his hand, settling everyone down and clearing the dance floor.

“Welcome to the Oasis and another edition of The Dating Game. Who’ll have a chance to find their perfect match tonight? Let’s find out, shall we?”