Northern Moonlight

by Anisa Claire West

  Her thoughts far from Chinese cuisine, Sabrina replied, “It’s not my favorite, but it’s fine with me. We’ll see what your fortune cookie says.”

  “Don’t tell me you believe in ridiculous things like fortune cookies and horoscopes and nonsense.” He feigned a look of disgust.

  “Yes, I do. And it would be appropriate if your fortune told you what happens to grumpy men.”

  “What happens to them?” He asked warily.

  “Nothing much.” She smirked at him, as the taxi driver ran a red light.

  A few more blocks of slow, stop-and-go traffic and Gio paid the driver. He and Sabrina made their way onto the busy sidewalk. It was now Friday afternoon rush hour and herds of people jostled by, trying to catch their bus or summon a taxi to begin what looked to be an enchanting spring weekend.

  The sunset was a deep shade of crimson blended with mystical violet vapors. Gio stole a glance at Sabrina, admiring her lovely features in the vanishing light. Sabrina felt his eyes on her and returned the regard, smiling confidently, secretly decoding his innermost thoughts.

  The Chinese restaurant Gio selected was halfway between casual and upscale, and Sabrina instantly liked the atmosphere. The aromas of herbal tea and fried dumplings wafted through the restaurant, as Gio and Sabrina were seated at a table lit by bold-colored lanterns. A waiter instantly poured them cups of hot tea and brought over crispy noodles with duck sauce to snack on while they pored over the menus.

  Sabrina opened her menu and immediately snapped it shut, as Gio eyed her, confused. “You didn’t even look at the menu.”

  “I don’t have to. I order the same thing every time I go to a Chinese restaurant. Shrimp and mixed vegetables with brown rice.”

  Gio rolled his eyes and retorted, “That’s very dull. Why not be a little more adventurous? New experiences can lead to intriguing places.” His voice was low and inviting.

  “Do you ever stop with that innuendo?”

  Gio sat back in his chair and appraised her as he had the first day they had met on the waterfront. He purposely waited several long moments before responding, enjoying the sight of her fidgeting. “Sabrina, you’ve known from the first time I saw you that I want you. I don’t aim to hide it. As you can see, I’ve respected your boundaries, but you’ll never get me to stop trying.”

  Gio continued, as Sabrina listened, leaning back in her chair and tilting her head to one side as he spoke. “The truth is that I haven’t had a serious relationship since my first girlfriend, Madeline. And I know that’s a long time to go without a relationship. But for various reasons, some of which you can easily guess, commitment has been a struggle for me.” He squirmed in his seat, and Sabrina listened more closely. “What I’m saying is, I’m not looking for something quick and casual this time around. I feel like I could finally be ready for something real.”

  With that, he silenced himself, already regretful for having revealed too much. Sabrina mulled over his words, recognizing that they would be much more convincing if they were already lovers. But there was a genuineness in Gio’s voice and facial expression that made Sabrina believe him. It was going to be harder than she thought to resist this man.

  After Gio’s revelation, he remained stubbornly quiet during dinner, and Sabrina knew that he was reacting to a newborn state of vulnerability. Both were relieved when the fortune cookies and orange slices were served.

  She cracked open the cookie shell and slid out the rectangular strip of paper to read aloud. “’Now is an opportune time for a business decision.’ How dull! What does yours say?”

  “Let’s see, mine says ‘Your evening with a beautiful woman will end in mutual pleasure and gratification.”

  Sabrina giggled at Gio’s conveniently invented fortune. “Come on. What does it really say?”

  “Alright, alright. It’s as boring as yours. ‘A long walk is balm for the spirit.’ See why I don’t believe in this nonsense?”

  Sabrina sighed. “I don’t believe in it either. But yours wasn’t really a fortune. It was a fact. And after all that rice, a long walk does sound heavenly.”

  Gio reached for his wallet, left some bills on the table, and accompanied Sabrina into the night. The insomniac city was vibrant and exuded an energy that Sabrina and Gio found contagious. The pair traversed neighborhoods to roam through Central Park in the alluring moonlight. Hand in hand, they strolled leisurely along the tree-lined paths until Gio noticed a horse-drawn carriage.

  “Would you like to go for a carriage ride? I’m sure you’ve done this many times, though.”

  Sabrina shook her head, replying honestly, “No, I’ve actually never taken a carriage ride. I guess when you live in a city, you take its amenities for granted.”

  Gio was pleased that he would be the one to offer her a maiden voyage by horse and carriage. He signaled to the driver to stop for them, and then chivalrously helped Sabrina step up to the carriage. The park took on an almost fairy tale appearance once they were perched on the ruffled seats of the carriage. Sabrina closed her eyes for a moment, imagining what it would be like to be wearing a satin ball gown next to Gio in a sleek tuxedo. Instead of taking a taxi back to her parents’ apartment, she would be cruising in a limousine with Gio. Then, they would return to a posh penthouse hotel room overlooking the entire city. Or better yet, their limousine would whisk them away from the harried commotion of New York City to a rustic chalet in the state she had grown to love so dearly.

  She snapped her eyes open quickly, not allowing herself the luxury of such a superficial dream. She would enjoy the evening just as it was, even though the Chinese food plagued her with an unpleasant combination of indigestion and headache. Sabrina felt Gio’s eyes on her and turned her head towards him, wondering if he had the slightest idea what her train of thought was. As he clasped his hand over hers and gave her yet another zealous kiss on the lips, she doubted he cared what her thoughts were. He seemed content just to be next to her, as the horses clattered docilely through the park and the carriage swayed with the rhythm.

  Pulling her lips just an inch away from his, she whispered, “This is my favorite part of today”

  He grinned, kissed her again, and joked, “You mean this is better than arguing in the museum?”

  “Much better.” She kissed him this time, nuzzling closer to him in the carriage and caressing the back of his neck with her silken hands. She didn’t protest when his hand traveled to her thigh. Even though she had not drunk any wine, Sabrina felt inebriated, as though the nocturne air emanated an irresistible elixir, drawing her shamelessly closer to Gio as the horses rode on. The change in Gio’s breathing was audible, and somewhere in the back of her mind Sabrina knew it wasn’t fair to provoke the two of them to such a level of desire when they would inevitably have to stop. At that moment, the carriage halted, throwing the couple backwards in their seats. The driver promptly informed them that the ride was complete.

  Gio was half-tempted to pay the driver extra and tell him to circle the park again, but he knew just as Sabrina did that it would be a temporary delay. Instead, he stiffly escorted her out of the carriage and over to a bench in a dimly lit area of the park. It was minimal privacy, but Gio was willing to settle for it, as they sat close and he resumed his hungry exploration of her mouth and body.

  Brushing a wisp of hair away from her face, Gio asked outright, “Do you want to come back to my hotel room?”

  The boldness of his question reminded Sabrina of the first question he ever asked her at the waterfront when he dared to propose taking a ride in his truck. Then, she had been both scandalized and excited. This time she just felt excited, but would not yield to the desire that increasingly consumed them both.

  “Gio, I can’t. This is my last night staying with my parents. I can’t be out until dawn and make them worry.”

  Gio simply nodded, trying not to let brutal disappointment line his face. “That’s fine. Then we should hail a taxi and get you back home before the sun rises.”

>   Sabrina was relieved by his reaction, and the couple was soon seated in a cab, behaving much less friskily than they had in the relative solitude of the park. With the tax driver just a few feet away, Gio felt it would be disrespectful to be physical with Sabrina.

  “I hope that episode at the museum is forgiven now.” Gio ventured, feeling embarrassed about how he had carried on.

  “There’s nothing to be forgiven. I’m aware that you have a stressful job. Just don’t take that stress out on me in the future.” Sabrina spoke judiciously.

  “Agreed.” Gio said, stifling a yawn.

  “You’re tired, aren’t you? I didn’t even think how draining that drive must have been.”

  “Well, I enjoyed it until I hit the city. It’s scenic up until a certain point. But once I got here, I had to find an overnight parking garage for my truck.”

  “Ouch. Those are expensive.”

  “Outrageous.” Gio corrected. “And I couldn’t find one close to my hotel either. But it was all worth it to see you. I’d gladly drive home tonight and skip that lousy birthday party altogether.”

  “But you know the reason you’re going there.” Sabrina reminded.

  “Yes, and I have to keep it in mind. After I tell them the Shanty story, though, we’ll be burning rubber on the highway.” Gio smiled crookedly as Sabrina laughed. Moments later, the cab pulled up to her apartment building and the couple was forced to bid each other good night. They parted with a chaste kiss and hug, as Sabrina waved to him from the curb, then turned on her heel to go inside the brownstone.

  It was after midnight and the lights were out in the Montrouge household. Sabrina made a quick decision to sleep on the sofa, not wanting to wake Cara. Wrapping a quilt around herself and kicking off her shoes, Sabrina shut her eyes, but knew she would not soon fall asleep. She thought of Gio, riding alone in the cab back to his hotel. What was he thinking about? She hoped he would fantasize about her. In her mind, she replayed the date from the bumpy but amusing beginning at the museum to the passionate embraces shared in the park. Taking the horse and carriage ride had been the most romantic gesture a man had ever made towards Sabrina.

  Reflecting on the maple candy surprise delivery and the telegram, she had to admit that the man was blessed with a romantic imagination. This both worried and thrilled her, even as she thought of his confession at dinner of openness to a real relationship. What if these grand gestures were smoke and mirrors, means to an end? What if he would vanish from her life if she gave him what he so blatantly wanted?

  The only way to find out involved taking a risk. It was a gamble that she had only endeavored once in her life, and that had ended in bitter betrayal. But Gio was not Kenneth, she reminded herself firmly. Even physically, the men were polar opposites, with Gio’s unabashed virility contrasting with Kenneth’s deceptively golden good looks. As sleep claimed Sabrina, she was vividly envisioning the next time she would be in Gio’s arms and how she just might let herself surrender.

  Chapter 7

  Sabrina awoke the next morning before the whole household, impatient to pack up her luggage and flee the cozy, but suffocating, apartment. She stuffed her outfits into the suitcase, as he mother and sister loomed over, seeking more information about Gio than Sabrina was willing to give.

  “He’s taking you to a party tonight at his uncle’s place in Brooklyn? That sounds serious if he’s already introducing you to his family.” Mrs. Montrouge said, helping her daughter to neatly fold and pack her clothing.

  “Mom,” Sabrina rolled her eyes dramatically, “I told you that his bringing me there coincides with the investigation we’re launching into the house fire. It’s not because we’re getting married, so please relax.”

  Mrs. Montrouge shrugged, still confident that the young man’s decision to take Sabrina to a family gathering was an indication of his serious level of interest in her. After Sabrina’s suitcase was packed, the three ladies retreated to the breakfast nook for some coffee and pastries just as Mr. Montrouge was stirring. In his pajamas and bathrobe, the patriarch sat next to his wife and greeted his daughters amiably.

  “Good morning, ladies. Sabrina, I feel like we’ve barely had any time together as a family since you’ve been here between our work schedules and your photo shoots.” Mr. Montrouge exchanged a sad, parental look with his wife.

  “I know, Dad. The time has gone quickly. But I have all day today if you’d like to just chat and have a good time with your three favorite women.”

  “The most beautiful women in the world,” Mr. Montrouge added with a wink directed at his wife. Even after nearly thirty years of marriage, the two were still visibly in love. Sabrina cherished the relationship between her parents and wondered if it were just a fluke or maybe possible for her to experience some day as well. They had been such excellent role models as partners, and Sabrina had to stop herself from shaking her head in wonderment at what had gone wrong with her own love life.

  The Montrouges spent the day indoors, starting with a mildly competitive word game and ending with a romantic comedy film that Mr. Montrouge acquiesced to view. By late afternoon, the family went their separate ways with Mr. and Mrs. Montrouge off to a concert at Lincoln Center, and Cara returning to moping around in pajamas crying over Bruce. As sorry as she felt for her sister, when Gio showed up at the doorstep, Sabrina was relieved not to have to make formal introductions yet.

  He was smiling broadly as she rushed over to him. Gio pulled her into a tight embrace, kissing her passionately, as Sabrina luxuriated in the rough bristle of his five o’clock shadow and his natural masculine scent of cedar.

  “I missed you.” He said huskily.

  “I missed you too.” Sabrina finally allowed herself to admit, amazed at how liberating the words sounded out loud.

  “Looks like we’re going to be late to the party. Traffic was insufferable on the way here.”

  “It generally is. I hope this is OK as a hostess gift.” Sabrina held up a potted fern that she had purchased that afternoon for his aunt Helena.

  “That was very thoughtful of you, Sabrina. Not necessary, though.”

  “Of course it’s necessary! I’m meeting your relatives and visiting their home for the first time.”

  Gio did not reply, but thought how he also hoped this would be the last time. He did not want to poison his relationship with Sabrina by the oppressive presence of his uncle and aunt. He had already decided that they would stay a maximum of two hours.

  The May evening was balmy as Gio and Sabrina walked hand in hand to his truck. Once inside, he showed her his present to his uncle with a mischievous grin.

  “Don’t think I’m cheap, Sabrina. But I had this bottle of whiskey lying around. A buddy of mine at the firehouse gave it to me a few years ago for Christmas. Since I don’t drink whiskey, I thought I would pass it off to Stefano as a birthday gift. He’ll probably drain the bottle on the spot.”

  Sabrina was pleased to learn that Gio didn’t drink whiskey as she recalled Kenneth’s excessive fondness for cocktails. “Do you drink any type of liquor?”

  “I’ll have the occasional beer, and of course wine is one of life’s great pleasures.”

  “Yes, it certainly is. I’ve always wanted to go to California wine country on assignment for the magazine, but that project has eluded me so far. I would love to photograph the rolling vineyards and a wine grower with his prize vintage.” She said dreamily.

  “You don’t have to be working when you travel, you know. A trip like that could be a vacation. Do you ever travel for pleasure?”

  “Actually, no. I can’t remember ever taking a trip that wasn’t tied into work somehow. I wonder what that would be like.”

  “I’m sure it would be wonderful.”

  “What about you? You told me that you don’t go on leisure vacations either.”

  “You’ve got me there. I do take the occasional local trip to go camping or fishing, but that’s the extent. I find it hard to get out of state when I�
�m on call so much. And when I’m not on call, sometimes I just feel like doing nothing at all.”