Strike a Match

by Fiona Riley

  “The most important work, Lucy. The work of love.” She blinked flirtatiously and Lucinda chuckled.

  “I figured. Who are we helping tonight?” Lucinda looked around the room, scanning the gala guests.

  “Abby.” Samantha had met with Edie twice in the last few weeks to see how things were progressing with Luke. She was pleasantly surprised to hear they were doing well and on the road to a more serious courting relationship. But during their meetings, Edie had mentioned that things were in flux between Abby and Sasha. This was devastating news. Samantha had really felt like they were a perfect pair, but had stepped out of the matchmaking process since the night of the auction. Abby had to do this work on her own if it was going to work out this time, and any involvement from Samantha would only slow down the spark that Samantha could see from a mile away. They were perfect for each other. She knew it. There was no way this flame was going to fizzle out. Not on her watch, anyway.

  “Abby?” Lucinda’s brow furrowed. “What’s wrong with Abby? I thought she had a good thing going with Sasha. I’m lost.”

  “She does.” Samantha corrected herself. “Well, she did. She still can. There’s been a little setback. We’re trying to right the train on the tracks, so to speak.”

  “All right, I’m game. How’re we doing that?” Lucinda looked focused, motivated. Samantha fell in love with her a little more.

  “By making sure Sasha knows exactly how Abby feels.” Samantha glanced left and right before lowering her voice. “The hard part will be getting them in the same room at the same time.”

  Lucinda dipped her head to hear what she had to say. “Why’s that?”

  “I get the impression Sasha is avoiding her.” Samantha was undeterred. “We may have to be a little sneaky about making it happen.”

  “I’m shocked. Really?” Lucinda deadpanned.

  Samantha rolled her eyes. “It’s already in motion. I had a contingency plan in place weeks ago. Now it’s all about the execution and timing.”

  “I’ll never understand the inner workings of your matchmaking brain, but I’ll be the first to admit it never ceases to amaze me. You’re kind of incredible.”

  “Good thing you married me, then. Even if I had to propose first.” Samantha scanned the room until she found the person she’d been looking for. “It’s go time.”

  She led Lucinda in the direction of her target and hoped she would be able to live up to Lucinda’s praise. She hoped her intuition had been enough and that tonight she would help reignite a match, and not strike out in the process.

  *****

  Abby accepted a champagne flute from the passing waiter and watched her mother socialize in the corner. She was so good at this. And she glowed as she introduced Luke to all of her country club friends. He was handsome and dapper and good for her, but he also made her look good, which on a night like tonight mattered very much. The fact that they seemed to be a good match in real life outside of this pomp and circumstance was just the cherry on top.

  Abby reached into her purse to check her cell phone for the time. There weren’t any pockets in couture and a watch wouldn’t work with this dress, so she was chained to her phone for timekeeping. She had twenty minutes before the work of the evening began. Work. Her mother was exceptional at this kind of stuff, but to Abby, this was work.

  Her mother and the Davenport Charitable Foundation were being honored tonight at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. As one of the sole board members who was also family, Abby had been asked to say a few words in addition to presenting the public service award to her mother. If not for that, she would have skipped this event entirely. The last thing she wanted to do was be social and pretend to be normal when she felt anything but.

  She sipped her glass and assessed her audience. The crowd was full of the usual suspects—the shrimp cocktail hoarder from the dating auction, and a few of her mother’s bridge friends, including Rachel Rabin, although her daughter Dianna seemed to be absent tonight, much to Abby’s relief. It was a plethora of Boston’s wealthiest art supporters, hobnobbing over passed hors d’oeuvres and getting an early peek at the newest art exhibition hosted by the Gardner.

  A familiar laugh off to her left drew her attention. She hadn’t expected to see Samantha here, and yet, there she was. A part of her wanted to run over and talk with her to ask for help or guidance in getting Sasha back. But another part was terrified of admitting that things with Sasha had fallen apart. She was torn. Before she could decide to be brave she noticed who Samantha was talking to—it was Aaron Burger and he was dressed like a waiter.

  Her mouth got dry and her throat felt tight as she looked around the room. If Burger was here as a catering waiter, then that meant Sasha’s lieutenant’s catering company was probably in charge of the evening. Which meant there was a very good possibility that Sasha was here as well. Fuck. What would she say to her?

  As if her panic were audible, Samantha looked over in her direction. Samantha pointed to her and Aaron nodded before he disappeared. Samantha walked toward her and Abby actually considered fleeing. Where would she go?

  “You look like someone just kicked your puppy.” Samantha kissed her cheek and handed Abby’s empty glass to a passing waiter, a waiter she recognized as Jonah from Samantha’s wedding. This was definitely the same catering company.

  “I’m allergic to dogs.” Abby sighed, understanding what she meant. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you.”

  “I assume you mean return your calls, right? Because I’ve left you a voicemail or two.” Samantha’s face was kind—she wasn’t chastising her. Abby was grateful for that.

  “Yeah. That. I’m the worst.” Abby felt unsettled. Every time someone with dark hair walked by, she panicked and thought it was Sasha. It had been a few weeks since she had seen her, and the anticipation of possibly seeing her again felt like dying.

  “She’s not here.” Samantha took her hand and soothed it.

  “Oh.” A wave of disappointment washed over her. She had the sudden urge to cry.

  Samantha stepped in front of her, a small smile on her face. “Yet. She’s not here, yet.”

  Abby’s heart rate picked back up. “What do you mean yet?”

  Samantha’s smile broadened. “I mean yet. She’s on her way. She’ll be here shortly. She got a little delayed leaving the house—they’re transitioning her father back home.”

  Luke had been secretly giving Abby updates about Sasha and her family over the past few weeks. She had respected Sasha’s wishes and distanced herself, but Luke would sneak Sasha updates into conversation over the family dinners she’d had with him and her mother of late. It was a nice thing, the reinstated family dinners. She liked the feeling of a family unit. It was an opportunity for her and Luke to bond. He clearly respected and cared for Sasha and he acknowledged Abby’s feelings for her as well. Sasha had brought them closer together.

  “I’d heard that.” Abby was glad to have another source confirming the news, but saddened also that she wasn’t able to be there for Sasha during what was likely a difficult time in her life. It was a double-edged sword, the elation she felt about Duncan getting better paired with the deep-seated regret she had about missing a moment in Sasha’s life. It was not lost on Abby how quickly she had fallen for her.

  “Listen, we don’t have much time, so let’s get to it.” Samantha put her hands on Abby’s shoulders, grounding her. “Your mother filled me in on what happened. I’m all up to date. But that’s not important. What’s important is that you’re going to win Sasha back tonight. And I’m going to help.”

  It sounded too good to be true. Abby didn’t think she could stomach seeing Sasha again face to face, let alone be rejected. “Wait. My mother what?”

  “Focus.” Samantha shook her gently. “We’re running out of time. You’re going to go onstage in no time flat and we have some work to do ahead of time. But first I need you to answer two very important questions.”

  Abby felt like she was on a
Tilt-A-Whirl. “Questions? What kind of questions?”

  Samantha’s hands slid down her shoulders and loosely clasped her hands. “Your mother tells me you love Sasha. Is that true?”

  “Yes.” Abby didn’t have to think about that one. She’d thought about it long and hard every night she’d spent alone since their fight at the hospital. The more time she was apart from Sasha, the clearer it was: she’d been in love with Sasha since their glassblowing date, maybe even since the safety training at the school. Somehow, without her knowing it, Sasha had broken through her walls and become the one person she didn’t want to live without.

  “Great.” Samantha looked elated. “Okay, how do you feel about grand gestures?”

  If it helped her win Sasha back, she’d do just about anything. “How grand are we talking?”

  “The grandest.” Samantha looked so sure of herself, Abby couldn’t help but feel encouraged.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Sasha pulled up to the designated parking area for the catering employees behind the museum and checked the time. Damn. She was real late. And not the late like on-time late that she already disliked—she was like an hour after the set-up time kinda late.

  She hopped out of the car and pulled on the vest she had hanging in the back seat, using the car’s side mirror to make sure the shirt was tucked and her hair looked good. She’d had time to do her makeup while she was waiting for her mother to get home from her shift at work, but they’d had to train a new home health aide, and it had taken longer than anticipated to orient her to all of Duncan’s new and complex needs. Luckily, Casey had been super understanding and told Sasha to turn up when she could. But still, she didn’t want him to think she was taking advantage of him. She needed this money and this job. She couldn’t afford to miss out on an opportunity like this one. Especially not now.

  As she headed through the back entrance of the museum to the pop-up kitchen Elise and Casey would be using for hors d’oeuvres, she let herself think about all of the changes that had happened lately. Her father’s health had improved almost overnight. His white blood cell count decreased and his oxygen saturation improved as his infection began to recede. He was off the ventilator and using the nasal cannula for oxygen after a very short wean. Gradually, his color returned, and although he was still very weak and still very pale, he had some life in him that had been missing for weeks. She almost couldn’t believe her good fortune; she’d all but resigned herself to losing him. But having him back home brought on a new batch of trouble and worries. He needed around-the-clock care to help him return to his prior level of functioning. He would still be dependent on oxygen and medication to help him breathe for the rest of his life, but at least he would be able to resume his Family Feud marathons and hassle her mother again. Her mother had increased her work hours to help cover costs on the now necessary aides that her father needed, and Sasha had maxed out her overtime at the firehouse. This catering job was the only thing keeping their heads above water. And at this rate, soon this wouldn’t be enough.

  “Sasha, good to see you. Everything okay at home?” Casey greeted her with a handshake and a slap on the arm. His concern was genuine. She was grateful for his friendship during this time.

  “Yeah. No. It is now. New girl working tonight, long story. All set now, though. Thanks for asking.” Sasha straightened out her vest. “I’m good to go. Where can I help?”

  Casey nodded and she was grateful he didn’t press her for any more information. She was keeping it together, but just barely. Talking about her father’s improved health always had her just at the brink of tears these days. It was a terrible feeling to have your joy stamped out by the fear of inescapable debt.

  “Shaun is managing the main bar in the back, and Jonah is running between the floor and the kitchen but he could use some help.” Casey pulled out his clipboard and showed her a map of the event space. “There’s an award presentation that happens after the cocktail hour finishes.” He checked his watch. “Which will be any minute or so now. We’re serving light apps and hors d’oeuvres afterward to be handed out in the new exhibit area that opens after the ceremony. We’ll need lots of man power here and here, as this is where the most foot traffic will be.”

  Sasha nodded and followed along as he drew Xs on the paper, à la football drills. “Got it.”

  “Burger is back on shift tonight.” Casey sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “We needed the extra hands and he’s been begging to get back to work. So keep an eye out for him. There’s a lot of expensive art on display tonight and the last thing I need is to be responsible for any damage again.”

  “Wow. Desperate times, desperate measures, huh, Lieutenant?” Sasha was teasing him. She was glad Burger was back in his good graces. He was a good kid, after all. “I’ll make sure he limits his clumsiness to the kitchen.”

  “I heard that,” Elise supplied over Casey’s shoulder, her chef’s whites already covered in a variety of colorful stains. She pointed a wooden spoon at Sasha. “You best keep him away from the dessert trays. It’s taken me more than three days to get those three-dimensional sugar bridges perfect. One rogue swipe of his hand and all of those cheesecake toppers will be shattered.”

  She looked over at the dessert area and was floored—dozens of small dessert plates were in position, each featuring two bite-sized cheesecake morsels topped with fresh raspberries and a sort of red sugar glaze, connected by arching sugar bridges, so tissue thin they were almost clear. Sasha could see why Elise was concerned—they looked so fragile even she was afraid to walk near them.

  “I would never dream of letting him ruin dessert.” She crossed her heart and nodded, holding up three fingers. “Girl Scout’s honor.”

  Elise exhaled, a look of relief on her face. “God, I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Me, too,” Casey added as he handed Sasha an empty tray. “Start with helping Jonah.”

  Sasha took the tray and headed for the door when Elise called out to her. “Hey!”

  “Yeah?”

  “Take this. You could use a little pop on those lips tonight.” Elise tossed Sasha the red lipstick she’d used at Samantha’s wedding.

  Sasha caught it and tried not to frown. This was the lipstick she’d used to try to convince Abby to forgive her, to dance with her…It’d worked. That night started what had become one of the most important and profoundly emotional relationships she’d had in her adult life. It had started with an unintended insult but ended with a kiss. A kiss that led to many more and many nights of unbridled passion. Abby’s presence in her life had been sorely missed these past few weeks, especially with the change in her father’s health. It had saddened Sasha to feel so alone again, after having had Abby by her side during the worst of her father’s health crisis. She’d missed her touch, her kiss, but mostly she’d missed the feeling of closeness. She’d felt empty since Abby had been gone. But Samantha’s wedding was a long time ago, long before she’d found out that Abby had been intentionally keeping things from her. She looked at the tube in her hand and shook her head, walking back to Elise to hand it back to her. “I don’t know about this tonight, Elise.”

  Elise shoved it back in her hand and closed her fingers around it. “Trust me. Wear it. You look great in red, Sash. Look good, feel good—remember?”

  Sasha sighed. “I’ll think about it.”

  “Put it on, or you’re washing dishes with me all night.” Elise crossed her arms, blocking Sasha’s way to the exit.

  “You should probably do as she tells you, McCray,” Casey added from behind his clipboard. “She’s the real boss around here. What she says goes.”

  Sasha decided not to argue. “Fine. Thank you.”

  Once the lipstick had been applied and inspected by Elise, Sasha was shuttled out of the kitchen just as the crowd began to take their seats. The emcee took the stage and began introducing the night’s award recipient. She headed to Shaun at the main bar to see where she was most needed.

>   “Hey, Sash.” Shaun smiled at her broadly as he lined up rows and rows of wineglasses. “Glad you made it.”

  “Me, too.” Sasha was happy for the distraction. She pointed to the glass army he was assembling. “Wine on the agenda tonight?”

  “Lots of it.” Shaun nodded and pointed to the schedule Casey had left behind the bar. “Passed champagne with the cocktail hour, open bar with mixed drinks and beer at the three bars in the room, passed house wine during the museum tour portion of the evening.”

  Sasha nodded. She was so impressed with Casey and Elise. Since Samantha’s wedding, they’d been booked for no less than three major events. By the presence of the press assembled at the back right of the room, tonight’s event was no different. This was a job Casey had been very excited about, a job Samantha had first mentioned that time she came by the station to talk to Sasha about the auction. Ugh. The auction. Her heart sank. Everything seemed to remind her of Abby these days.

  “Say,” she asked Shaun, “what’s tonight about anyway? I’ve been so busy with my old man, I didn’t have a chance to ask Casey what we’re here for.” The audience behind Sasha applauded, but she’d missed all of what the emcee had said. It didn’t concern her, not really anyway, but she was curious just the same. There was a flash to her right from the photographer’s camera. This seemed like kind of a big deal.

  Shaun topped off a row of white wine glasses before uncorking a red. “We’re here to serve food and merriment.” He winked at her. “But I’ve been told someone’s getting a big humanitarian award or something before the museum debuts their new exhibit.”

  “No kidding? Wow.”

  Burger appeared at Sasha’s side. He looked a little nervous. “Hey, Sasha.”

  “Burger.” She reached out and fixed the button on his vest that had come undone. “Don’t tell me you broke something already. I just got here.”