by Deb Julienne
“He said he planned to be here by the weekend, but I’m going to cancel our date.” Even though her decision was made, it didn’t make her feel any better.
“Why would you do that?” Sabrina scowled. “You should give him a chance.”
“Have you been talking to him? He says the same thing.”
“Why don’t you tell me the real issue? I get the distinct impression there’s more going on.” A single line marred Sabrina’s smooth forehead. When she tilted her head, a strand of hair stuck to her frosted pink lips. She tucked the errant hair behind her ears.
Angel wanted the conversation to end. “Why is everyone so concerned about my love life?” Angel pushed through the curtains to get away. “First Carina, and now you.” She folded the last of the signed books and moved them into the back.
Sabrina followed her. “It’s just a date. Why are you so upset if it’s no big deal?”
“That’s just it. I can’t let my focus stray from my plans. A man in my life will be too much of a distraction right now.” Or in Travis’s case, an obsession.
“If he’s anything like Trent, it will be one hell of a distraction and well worth it.” Sabrina sighed. “Honestly, having Trent in my life is the best blessing I could ask for. And I’m amazed how close we’ve become. It’s only made things better.” Sabrina stared at the ring on her left hand.
Angel tried to act happy for Sabrina, telling herself it was no big deal, even though she was jealous deep down inside. “I’m thrilled for you, but that’s you.” She didn’t want to think about what would never be.
“I’m no longer afraid of doing the articles. Remember how frantic I was? That’s all gone now. Everything I write I do so with new perspective and I’ve been doing some of my best work. It’s pouring out of me. I can’t seem to contain it.” Sabrina twirled around the room, dodging boxes, and pretended to dance with an absent partner.
“I have plans to revamp the store and to reopen my bridal salon. Being at your wedding made me realize I don’t want to waste any more time. I have to push forward,” she said scanning the showroom. She could see new racks for her lingerie, maybe a curio cabinet in the corner to hold some of the more erotic toys, and she’d love to add a bookshelf or two.
“What if we do an article about the expansion and share some of your designs? Show the public the hidden gem this store is for couples.” Sabrina patted her purse. “I already have a few ideas from this book I want to expand on. Plus, Kat and Jill both said they’ve been in and love the place. Maybe it’s just a matter of word of mouth. I’d be happy to be the mouth to spread the word.”
“That’s nice, but it also means I’ll need to hire help to get back to my first love—design.”
“I get that, but how is canceling your date with Travis going to help? Maybe you need to see a man and put the romance back in your life and let your passion out. Maybe that’s the real problem.”
“I-I don’t think so.” What if Sabrina was right? The store had become stale, lackluster, in need of something. How could dating Travis be what the store needed? Could she consider having a casual relationship with him for the sake of her store? No. But did she really want to see Travis again? She couldn’t lie. Yes.
“Why? Talk to me. Come on, let’s get out of here and go to lunch. You need to get away from the shop for a while,” Sabrina said.
“Fine, but my mind is made up. I’m canceling with Travis.” Voicing her decision didn’t make Angel feel one bit better.
“No more talk until our bellies are full. What are you hungry for?” Sabrina asked.
“There is a nice sushi bar around the corner. Are you up for that?” Angel needed to eat. too. Her emotions were wreaking havoc on her appetite lately.
Sabrina tossed Angel her purse. “Lock the doors and lead the way.”
Angel grabbed her sweater then put up the closed sign and locked the door. She’d take an hour for lunch then open it back up.
Sabrina looped her arm with hers, linking them as they walked.
The weather was brisk. They navigated the sidewalk at a fast clip. A harsh wind blew past her. Angel shivered as she buttoned her sweater. It was so windy she had to keep brushing her hair out of her face to see where she was going. By the time they reached the restaurant, Angel’s nose was chilled and her ears stung.
Once seated at the bar, they ordered as they waited for the lunch crowd to thin.
“I want an order of spicy edamame for an appetizer, a bowl of miso soup, and a molecular arcturian sunrise,” Angel said.
Sabrina raised an eyebrow. “That sounds good. Make it two.”
“What happened? Didn’t you enjoy the time you spent with Travis?” The second her drink arrived, Sabrina took a sip.
“I know you mean well, but the timing isn’t right.” Angel drummed her fingers on the leather bar pad.
“What makes you think you can plan a relationship any more than you can plan a family? Sure, you may want to, but Mother Nature has a mind of her own. Maybe it’s your time to find love.” Sabrina sounded so happy.
The hope in her friend’s eyes made Angel’s heart ache. She hated her demons. “I doubt it.”
The waitress placed a plate of steaming soybeans in front of each of them.
“Please. I saw you with Travis. He’s as hot for you as you are for him. And don’t tell me you’re not because you’re fighting it way too hard.” Sabrina squeezed the hot shell and shot a soybean into her mouth then pointed the empty pod at her. “Wait a minute…that’s it! You’re afraid. Afraid you’re falling for him.”
“I’m not falling for anyone.” Angel grabbed a small plate of michi rolls that floated by in the sushi river.
Sabrina snagged another pod, sucked on the spicy shell then popped the beans in her mouth. “This is so good.”
Angel played with her drink.
“If you ask me, you’ve both jumped off the cliff, but neither of you have bothered to look down to see you’re free falling. You’ve only got a split second to decide if you want go for it or die. I say do the world’s biggest cannonball and have a blast.”
“With my luck it will be the world’s biggest belly flop. No thanks.”
Flames leaped from the grill. A couple of the cooks called out in Japanese. A cook flung a slab of meat through the air and tossed it on the cutting board. He sliced it then flipped it onto a plate.
“Tell me about your night after you ditched the wedding.” Sabrina chuckled.
Angel felt herself blush. “I take it you’re not mad at us for cutting out.”
There was a new radiance surrounding Sabrina. “Are you kidding? Everyone was laughing because it was so not Travis. Trent and I made a bet with Kat that you and Travis will be next to the altar.”
Angel froze. Another bet. But this was Sabrina. “Oh my God, it was something else. I haven’t laughed that hard in years.”
“Then how can Travis be wrong or bad for you?”
Sabrina’s entire persona had changed since she’d gotten married. More boisterous, less stressed, she even had an exasperating confidence about her.
The waitress brought their soup, piping hot.
“I don’t know how to let go of my past. It haunts me every day of my life. I don’t think Travis will ever understand. I don’t even want to think about having that discussion with him.” Angel blew on her soup and took a sip.
“You’re not giving him enough credit. You know all about his past and what happened to him. You’re not holding it against him, are you?" Sabrina grabbed a plate of Japanese mafia rolls that floated by. “How about having a bit of faith in him and yourself? You’d be good together.”
Angel nursed her soup. “I think so, too, and that’s what scares the daylights out of me.”
“Sounds like love to me,” Sabrina said.
“And it’s not only that…while I was at your wedding my sister got engaged. They’re having a quiet wedding soon so I need to find a new place to live.” Angel picked up her chop
sticks and went to take a bite, but her chopsticks slipped and she dropped the roll down the front of her blouse.
“Nice one.” Sabrina grabbed her purse, pulled a bleach stick from it, and handed it to Angel.
“Ugh.” Angel dipped her cloth napkin into her water glass, blotted the soy from her blouse, used the stain stick, and handed it back.
“I have an idea. Let me think on it.” Sabrina pulled her phone out of her purse, tapped out a message then dropped it back in her bag. “In the meantime, I’ll make you a deal. The next time you talk to Travis you agree to the date. This Saturday you come help me pack the rest of my things and we’ll make it a girl’s day. I hope to have answers for you by then.” Sabrina lifted a plate of California rolls and set it between them.
“Answers? What are you talking about?” Angel wasn’t sure if she trusted the cheesy smirk or the way Sabrina’s eyes and nose crinkled.
Sabrina devoured the edamame and moved onto the rolls. “Don’t worry about it. Leave it to me.” Sabrina gave her a business card with her cell number and the address of her old apartment, promising to meet her there Saturday morning.
Angel was amazed how much Sabrina was able to eat.
Sabrina wiped her mouth on her napkin, drained her glass then raised it, asking the waitress for another round. “You help me pack up the rest of my things and I’ll keep you so busy that you can’t chicken out. Is it a deal?”
Angel wanted to bow out, but she didn’t. “Fine. When Travis calls tonight I’ll tell him we’re on.”
“Have you talked about plans yet?” Sabrina stole one of her michi rolls.
“No. He wants to surprise me. I’m not sure if that’s a good idea now. He’s prone to be outrageous.”
For the remainder of lunch Angel filled Sabrina in on their time in Tahoe. Their X-rated game and even the bet. It felt good to talk about it with a friend. Other than her sister and Carina, and neither of them were impartial, there was no one else to confide in. Luckily, she trusted Sabrina because she had a feeling she’d need a confidant.
Her life had changed because of a bet.
Would this second bet change her life for the better?
Chapter 4
Saturday morning, when Angel arrived at Sabrina’s old apartment, she found the door open. “Knock, knock.” She held a cardboard coffee holder with four coffees and a bag from a nearby bakery.
Sabrina’s eyes flashed wide. She was dressed in black tailored jeans and a pale pink cashmere sweater. “Right on time. And look at you—you’re a mind reader.”
“Hope you’re hungry. I couldn’t decide between bear claws or ham and cheese croissants, so I got both.” Looking down at her own attire Angel felt downright frumpy. She’d dressed for comfort and ease of movement in her worn-out jeans tucked into her black cowboy boots and a long burgundy sweater. Her only concession to style was a flowing, cream-colored scarf wrapped twice around her neck.
“My hero.” Sabrina grabbed the bag then headed to the kitchen. “I’m starving. Neither Kat nor Jill did any shopping since I moved out so the cupboards are empty.” She opened a few doors to prove her point. “And speaking of the girls, they want you to consider moving into my old room.”
“Why would they want me here? They barely know me.” Angel’s stomach fluttered, yet she hoped this would be the solution to her living arrangement problem.
“Honestly, they need someone to keep them under control, but don’t tell them I said it.”
“Too late—busted.” Kat stepped into the living room. “Nice to see you, Angel.” She shouted over her shoulder, “Jill, get your ass out here. Sabrina’s talking smack about us to our new roomie. Come help me knock her down a peg or two.”
“Oh God.” Sabrina blushed and looked ready to run. “I’m in trouble now. I’m going to apologize ahead of time for anything that may happen now that they heard what I said.”
“Okay.” Angel chuckled.
Jill entered the room and swatted Sabrina’s backside. “Listen here, Mrs. Wellington. Just because you went and got your sorry ass hitched is no reason to dis your besties.” Jill’s laughter and carefree spirit along with her lush, coppery hair and flawless complexion made Angel long for a complete makeover.
“Nice going, cousin. You marry into the family and immediately start bad-mouthing me. I’m going to tell Trent on you.” Kat stuck her tongue out at Sabrina.
Sabrina planted her hands on her hips. “Hush, you two. You’ll scare off Angel. And yes, you do need a keeper.”
“I beg your pardon.” Kat crooked an eyebrow at Sabrina. “I haven’t needed a keeper since my nanny quit after I put a frog in her bed. Oh, she was a mean old hag. That bullfrog was the closest she’d come to finding a man.”
Angel laughed.
“You did no such thing.” Sabrina whirled on Kat, shook a finger at her, and gave her a smack on the ass.
Sabrina flicked a dismissive hand toward Kat. “Ignore her, Angel. She’s just trying to scare you.”
“No. I’m trying to scare you, brat,” Even with no makeup, her blond hair in a ponytail, and wearing skinny jeans and a baggy Sac State sweatshirt, Kat was the essence of hot and could pass for a homecoming queen.
“We should hurry up and help Sabrina pack and get her butt out of here, since we’re not good enough for her anymore,” Jill said.
“Oh, good grief, you two. Grow up.”
“Enough,” Angel said. “You guys keep this up and I’ll forget I’m not back in my parent’s house fighting with my sisters.” Angel hadn’t realized how much she missed the silliness of youth. Her knees quivered. It was one thing to suffer the loss in silence, but she had no wish to embarrass herself in front of her new friends. Her loss went all the way to her soul. Other than Marianne, she hadn’t seen her parents or sisters in almost eight years. “Sorry. Ignore me.” Angel put her hands up and spun away, intent on leaving. She couldn’t do this. Angel grabbed the knob to the front door.
Sabrina and Jill each clasped one of her wrists.
Kat grabbed her around the waist. “Hold on, girlfriend. Nobody leaves here upset.”
They tugged her back around, and Kat pushed her from behind.
“Sit.” Jill pointed at the sofa.
Jill sat on one side of her, Kat on the other, and Sabrina sat on the coffee table facing her.
Sabrina leaned forward and placed her hand on Angel’s knee. “I don’t know what just happened, but we’re just playing. No one meant you any harm.”
“Sabrina’s right. I guess we do need a keeper.” Jill’s cheeks flushed to match her pale pink angora sweater.
“Speak for yourself. I’m fine on my own,” Kat said.
Angel let out a sob. “It’s not you guys. It’s me.”
“Can we help?” Jill’s brows knit.
“Nobody can.” Angel sniffed. “This has been a long time coming. You’re merely the recipients of a meltdown.”
“You call that a meltdown. Sheesh, that’s nothing.” Jill swatted the air. “You should get a load of Kat when some asshole hits on her.” Jill smirked at Kat.
“Pipe down.” Kat leaned around and smacked the back of Jill’s head. Her fingers caught in Jill’s hair.
Jill yelped, pulled away then tucked black legging clad legs beneath her.
Angel let out a wimpy laugh as she wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “You don’t need a certified basket case living here.”
“Basket case? Girl, you’re moving into the cuckoo’s nest. Jill is Nurse Ratchet,” Kat said.
“Hell yeah. Besides, I’m tired of Kat’s fits. We need some new talent to take Sabrina’s place. Somehow, I don’t think you’ll be half as much fun getting even with during truth and dare. She always got nailed.” Jill slapped her thigh. “It was truly pathetic.”
“And I won’t miss it a bit. I’ve been the butt of too many of your jokes.” Sabrina retrieved the coffees Angel had brought and handed them out.
“Truth and dare? What’s that?” Angel ac
cepted her coffee. She needed to keep her hands occupied.
Kat and Jill exchanged amused grins.
“Don’t ask unless you want to be thoroughly and completely humiliated,” Sabrina said.
“Uh-oh, Jill. We have a pigeon on our hands.” Kat rubbed her hands together, jumped off the couch, and headed into the kitchen.
“Oh crap. We’re up shit creek without a paddle now.” Sabrina broke out in a sweat. “Come on, Angel. I need you to take me shopping or to a proctology appointment.” Sabrina tugged her toward the door.
Angel wanted to laugh at Sabrina’s expression, but it was laced with genuine fear and a bit of dread.
“Sit,” Jill commanded. “We might as well have one last game now that you’re moving out.”
“For heaven’s sake, it’s not even ten-thirty in the frickin’ morning. No one needs to be drinking at this time of the day.” Sabrina stood rooted to the carpet, arms crossed, as she tapped her foot.
“It’s not every day you say good riddance—I mean goodbye—to a best friend and about-damn-time—I mean hello—to a new one.” Jill covered her mouth in coy mock embarrassment aimed toward Sabrina.
Angel laughed. Her mood lightened considerably witnessing the playful banter between friends.
Kat strutted back into the room with a bottle of tequila and four shot glasses.
Sabrina had mentioned the game to her once before, but she’d never heard the full details. Somehow, Sabrina’s reaction just now had to have been exaggerated. Surely, no game could cause a person so much grief, not when the playful yet slightly caustic camaraderie welcomed her.
“Angel, if you’re smart, you’ll run. Save yourself.” Sabrina gave her a gentle shove toward the door.
“Sabrina, hush.” Jill swatted at her. “She’ll think you’re serious.”
“What gives?” Angel picked up the bottle of Suerte Tequila Anejo, its familiar orange rabbit on the label.
“A girl after our own heart,” Kat said. “If you chase her off before we get her moved in, I’m going to tan your hide and use you as a bath mat.”
“Fine. I give up. Don’t say I didn’t warn you, but you can count me out. I’m done with that game.” Sabrina sat back on the couch, crossed her arms, and tried to act tough, but her slight smile gave her away.
