Her flesh prickled at his touch. She couldn’t remember her response to David ever being as charged. Was this some cruel trick of fate? She tried taking her hand back, but although his grip was gentle, it was also firm. “Don’t—”
“Don’t what?” he asked huskily. But he didn’t wait for her answer. Instead he turned his attention back to her hand as his thumb lazily drew imaginary designs on her palm. “Isn’t this what engaged people do? This is kind of new for me, so maybe you could instruct me better, seeing as how you’re the one with all the experience.” He looked up, unsmiling and direct. Then his head lowered, his eyes searching.
The door behind them swung open. Although they were both taken by surprise, Jack never dropped her hand as they both turned to see who it was.
“Whoa. Sorry, Jack,” the man said.
Sabrina recognized him as Brian Ruiz, the wholesaler to Virginia. Although Brian wasn’t in the office on a regular basis, he did stop in from time to time to visit family. He and Jack hung out together at all the regional meetings. He was maybe a few years younger than Jack and about as tall, except he was a bit lanky. She always thought that his tan complexion combined with his sandy-colored hair and sideburns made him look more like a surfer than a wholesaler.
“Doesn’t anybody knock anymore?” Jack barked.
Brian’s otherwise happy-go-lucky appearance quickly turned into a man, what’s your problem look. “I did knock,” he told him. Then his eyes regarded Sabrina more closely. “Oh, I see,” he related with a grin that showed all was now forgiven between him and Jack. “I should have known you wouldn’t be wasting any time since you transferred here.”
“Not now, Brian.” Jack’s jaw was clasped so tight, she barely saw his lips move.
“It’s okay,” Sabrina said as she delicately removed her hand from Jack’s. “I was just leaving.” She was glad for Brian’s interruption, because he was exactly right. Jack didn’t waste any time, especially with women. That reminder was the sack of ice in the face she needed.
“Wait, Brie,” Jack said in earnest.
“Don’t bother asking me for any more instructions, Jack,” she told him with a thin smile. “I’m afraid you’re going to have to rely on your own instincts from now on.” Opening the door farther, she sidestepped Brian and left.
…
Sabrina didn’t go directly home after finishing work. Something about what had happened with Jack today, something that went beyond asking her to pretend to be his fiancée in front of his father, bothered her. Jack had looked as if he was about to kiss her until Brian Ruiz arrived. Would he have? She couldn’t be sure. And if he had, would she have kissed him back, knowing there was no future in it? Yes, of that she was sure. And there lay the real problem. She had hoped a drive around the coast would clear her head, but instead she just felt more confused about the situation and her feelings toward David and Jack.
It was almost seven o’clock when she pulled into her condo parking lot. Debating on ordering a pizza, she approached her front door when Mrs. Metzger called her name out from down the hall. “You’re getting home late, hon.”
Sabrina bit down on a retort, since she knew it was her situation with Jack and not really Mrs. Metzger that put her in such a poor mood. But the woman did seem to have some sort of sixth sense when it came to her comings and goings.
Sabrina nodded politely and continued to stick her key in the door.
“I thought I’d mention that your fiancé came by here looking for you.”
Sabrina tiredly looked over. “Which one?”
“You have more than one?”
She shook her head. “Never mind. Did David say what he wanted?”
Confusion still lingered on Mrs. Metzger’s tan, wrinkled features. “Well, no. But I wanted to remind you that you can still come with me to my son’s house for Thanksgiving.” A twinkle grew in the woman’s eye. “Unless of course, you’re really spending the day with that beefy new boyfriend instead.”
Sabrina smiled, knowing she was referring to Jack. “No. I think I want to spend it alone.” And think. “Really,” she insisted when she saw the doubt in her landlady’s eyes. “But thanks anyway.”
The woman shrugged. “Okay. You know where to find me if you change your mind.”
Sabrina watched the woman walk back to her apartment and gave a little wave to her before they both disappeared through their own doors. She couldn’t help but wonder what David wanted to talk to her about. Did he want to spend Thanksgiving together? She hung up her coat and fought the indifference she felt about that.
This should be good news, she reminded herself. David could be back here with her soon enough. She’d have everything she ever wanted. Her life would be full again and the loneliness would be gone. She’d have the prospect of a real home and children.
But those images were quickly pushed aside for the one of Jack, and how tenderly he’d gazed at her today.
Chapter Eleven
While he waited for his dad to change for dinner, Jack propped his feet up on the leather ottoman and scowled. He didn’t like the way he had left things with Sabrina. She had to hate him after what he’d been putting her through. But she wouldn’t hate anyone. Would she?
Leave it to me to test her level of benevolence. He let out a low, bitter laugh.
He’d known she wasn’t going to be thrilled with what he’d told his father—no real surprise there. Man, with the way she’d reacted you’d think she had to pretend to be engaged to the spawn of Satan. But she didn’t understand. His dad still felt Jack wasn’t doing enough to change his image. If only Sabrina had been there and had seen how his father had taken the news, the way his dad laughed and slapped him on the back. The proud look in his eyes. He and his father were finally on the same page, something they hadn’t shared since he moved back to the Boston area—maybe even since before his mom had died.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the only reason he didn’t tell his dad the truth. Jack was still figuring out what to do about his attraction to Sabrina. He wanted her, yet she loved that asshat of a fiancé. No, she couldn’t really love that guy—not with the chemistry she and Jack generated every time they just stood in a room together. And if Brian hadn’t interrupted them, Sabrina’s lips would have been under his and they would have made plans for the weekend together. But no. She was obviously too blinded by superstitions and how “kind and perfect” David was, which was complete and utter bull. So maybe part of Jack had wanted to see her reaction to being engaged to him, wanted to know what she thought about being with someone like him. Even if it was just pretend.
Well, you got your answer, jackass, didn’t you?
She definitely wanted the prick doctor. Sabrina was too loyal. He couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have that kind of devotion from a woman—from her. But damn if he didn’t want to find out. They still had some time together to play along with this charade. Then he’d have a chance.
A chance at what?
He liked her, yes. He wanted her, yes. But then what? They’d ride off into the sunset on a white horse? Hardly.
Maybe.
He honestly didn’t know anymore. That’s why everything that came out of his mouth was all wrong. He didn’t know what he was feeling. But every time he even thought about her marrying a guy like David, it left him so tight in the chest he could barely take a breath.
“Jack, what’s the matter?” His father chuckled, coming into the room. “You look like Sabrina just dumped you. I wouldn’t worry about her going back to her old fiancé now. She’s completely smitten with you.”
Jack’s hands closed tightly into fists, knowing that was nowhere near the truth. “Yeah, smitten,” was all he could manage.
“You ready to go to dinner?”
Jack tried not to make a face, but the knot he was feeling in his chest was slowly traveling to his stomach. “In a minute. Can I ask you something first?”
His father sat across from him. Folding his hands
in his lap, he slid his graying brows up expectantly.
Jack didn’t exactly know how to start, so he decided to jump in with both feet. “Do you ever regret marrying Mom?”
“What?” his father sputtered in surprise. “What kind of question is that? What’s the matter with you?” he demanded. “Do I regret marrying your mother? What a question.”
Jack shrugged helplessly. “I mean, do you think…investing your love in her was worth it?”
Their eyes suddenly locked and realization crossed his father’s features. “Jack, you talk of love like it’s a business merger. Are you asking this because of Sabrina? Are you worried about something?”
“Maybe,” Jack hedged. Worried? He wished. What he was feeling for Sabrina scared him down to his boxers. Who knew the words “I’m engaged” wouldn’t make him hurl? And here it was five hours later and he was still fine—not even a hangover effect. It should have been harder.
“I’ll always cherish the time I had with your mom. Even the harder times during her depression and then her eventual passing. But I loved her,” he said simply. “Plus I got two great kids out of it. I’m disappointed and sad, but not sorry.”
“You’re not sorry even though she let us down?”
“She didn’t let us down. She let herself down. But don’t think for a second that she didn’t love us. She did. But her inner battles were stronger than any of us realized, and she cut herself off from the joy that was yet to come in our lives. I was a little afraid you were cutting yourself off too—in a different kind of way—with work and the crowd you were running around with. I’m glad that you’ve opened yourself up to someone like Sabrina instead.”
“Do you see someone like her and someone like me together? You know, for the long run?”
His father’s eyes narrowed. “You didn’t say anything stupid to her, did you?”
“No, I didn’t say anything stupid,” Jack echoed irritably. Jeez, doesn’t anybody trust what comes out of my mouth anymore? “I just mean…” He gave up and shook his head miserably.
His father stood and patted him on the shoulder. “Buck up, Jack. I believe what you’re feeling is growing pains. A little late for them, I might add. But I wouldn’t worry about Sabrina. She’s a good egg. Now let’s go grab some dinner. I want to talk more about that incentive program you mentioned for the internal wholesalers.”
Jack stood up and froze. Technically, that was Sabrina’s idea and not his, even though she gave it to him to use. It was a perfect opportunity to shine in front of the stockholders board, since his father seemed so 100 percent behind it.
This is it, Jack. This is what you want. Take the reins and lead yourself to the top of the company.
He gazed at his father, waiting patiently at the door, and realized that changing his image for his father and the board wasn’t the only thing he wanted to do. He wanted Sabrina to look at him differently, too. She had told him in the past that he didn’t listen to others enough at work. That he was too much of a loner. Maybe she was right. Maybe he didn’t listen to her enough, either.
But if he ever wanted to compete with David, it was about time he did.
…
“Hi.”
Sabrina jumped at Maddie’s voice and accidentally punched an extra number on the fax she was trying to send. “Oh, poo,” she muttered. “What are you doing here, Maddie? I don’t have time to play. Some of us are employed.” For now anyway…
Sabrina took a deep breath. Relax, she chided herself. No one in the office knows anything. As far as everybody is concerned, you’re blissfully in love with your business partner. You’re not deceiving your co-workers. And you certainly weren’t thinking of Jack Brenner this whole entire never-ending weekend.
Rrrrright.
Maddie placed her elbows on the table and closely watched her as she retyped the number in the machine. “That was cold. Chris buzzed me in. For your information I have been looking for work and all I said was hi. What’s the matter? Did you have a bad weekend? Or is Jack not behaving like the good boyfriend he’s supposed to be?”
Sabrina looked at her in horror. “Why? What have you heard?”
“I didn’t hear anything. I was visiting my sister. Did I miss something?”
“No,” Sabrina murmured, pushing the send button on the machine again. “Just continue to act like it never even happened.”
“What never happened?”
“Exactly.”
Maddie huffed out a frustrated breath. “Are we doing an Abbott and Costello routine? What are you talking about?”
“Nothing.” She sighed. “Just forget it. I don’t want to talk about Jack.” She winced as soon as his name left her lips.
Maddie’s face lit up. “Oooh, what about Jack don’t you want to talk about? Spill.”
Sabrina leaned in closer and lowered her voice. “Well, okay. Mr. Brenner kind of got this crazy idea that Jack and I are…engaged.”
“How in the world did he get that idea?”
“Jack told him.”
Maddie blinked. “But you’re not engaged to Jack. Technically, you’re not even engaged to David.”
Sabrina flung her hands in the air. “Don’t you think I know that? Jack caught me at a weak moment so I agreed to pretend to be his fiancée now.”
“Did he get down on one knee at least?”
“Maddie, this is serious. I don’t need this right now.” Especially after being plagued with images of Jack all weekend. She’d already been berating herself since Friday for almost kissing him again and for being such a fool as to begin to fall for Jack’s smooth act and lies.
Maddie chuckled. “Okay, okay. Sorry. Does David know?”
She shook her head. “No. There hasn’t been any formal announcement yet.”
“That’s good. You’re a terrible liar.”
Sabrina narrowed her eyes. “I know you mean that as a compliment.”
“Of course,” Maddie said with a grin. “Well, this is an interesting predicament. You are engaged to one man while trying to become engaged—or re-engaged—to another. I wonder if this is the journey Madame Butterfly told you to enjoy.”
Sabrina rolled her eyes. “Oh, yeah. Being with Jack has been a real thrill ride.” Although truth be told, any moment with Jack did leave her about as breathless as a roller coaster.
“Thrilling enough to give you second thoughts as to who you want your real fiancé to be?”
Sabrina looked away. “I know exactly who I want.” I think. “David even left me forget-me-nots by my door this morning to let me know he’d been thinking about me—about us. Our future together. Wasn’t that sweet?”
Maddie said nothing for several seconds, then hugged her. “Sabrina, I want you to be happy, and if you still love David then I’m rooting for you two. Truly. But I wanted to give you this. I think it’s pertinent for the week.” She pulled out a piece of newspaper and handed it to her.
“My horoscope?”
Maddie tapped the Sagittarius column. “Read.”
“Confusion could cloud a decision if it is made immediately.” She gasped and looked up. “Oh my gosh.”
“Keep reading.”
“Sit on the matter for a few days, if possible. A partner will appear more cheerful than he or she has been in a long time. Know that a boss or older relative might expect certain things from you. Tonight: Go for an early bedtime.” She lifted a withering gaze to Maddie. “It was dead on until the early bedtime part.”
“Depends on who you go to bed with,” she said with a wink. She pulled out her cell phone and checked the time. “I gotta run. I have an interview in forty-five minutes. In the meantime, don’t make any rash decisions…about anything.”
“All right. I have to get back to work anyway. Thanks for this,” she said, waving the horoscope.
“My pleasure. We need to grab dinner and schedule another Madame Butterfly session soon.”
Sabrina couldn’t help glancing at her bare ring finger. She let ou
t a sigh. “Yeah. Very soon.”
…
Sabrina snuck a peak in Jack’s office as she walked back to her desk. He wasn’t there. Not that she was surprised. She’d glanced at his schedule earlier today and saw he had a lunch appointment in New Hampshire. It would have been nice to talk to him, though—just to make sure everything was okay between them. She hadn’t seen or heard from him since Friday. But work came first with him. Wasn’t that one of the points of this whole fiasco? Jack needed to be out there traveling to show his dad he was working hard, so he could get the promotion he wanted.
So why did she feel so…disappointed? It was no biggie if she didn’t talk to or see him today. No problem at all. No problem, except that she kind of—in a very small, innocent way—missed him.
And if she were being completely honest with herself, she missed him more than she missed David.
“Sabrina, sweetie, can I see you a minute?”
She looked up at Mr. Brenner and pasted on an eager smile, despite the fact that he was still calling her sweetie and it reminded her of the lie every single time he used it. “Sure thing.” She just prayed he wasn’t going to ask her where she and Jack had their bridal registry.
Closing the door behind her, she saw him gesture for her to sit down. “Sweetie, I’ll cut to the chase.”
Please stop calling me sweetie! I’m a terrible person. I’m not going to be your daughter-in-law. I’m going to yank your feelings right out from under you and you’ll have another angina attack—or worse—and then I’ll be a murderer as well. You should fire me!
“I’m giving you a raise,” he finished.
She blinked. “What?”
“I’ve decided to give you a raise.”
“No!” she burst out. She stood up, but not knowing where to go, flopped back down again. “Mr. Brenner, you can’t do this. Don’t do this.”
“I can and will do it,” he said with a chuckle. Rubbing his chin, he eyed her with amusement. “You’re way too modest. No wonder Jack fell in love with you.”
Fiance by Fate Page 14