“Smooth,” Marcus muttered. “You look beautiful, Sabrina.”
Sabrina blushed prettily and smiled up at Marcus. “Thank you.” She looked at Logan, her smile dropping. “What do you mean what’s with the dress?”
“I don’t know. It just seems really dressy for a birthday party.”
“What’re you, the fashion police?” Marcus asked with a laugh. “Might want to upgrade from jeans and sneakers, then.” Marcus dressed like a city metrosexual in crisp shirts, tailored pants, and dress shoes. He could be casual in jeans and sneakers like the rest of the normal men in the world, but tonight he was Mr. Metrosexual in a light blue shirt and dark gray pants. Logan was in his usual long-sleeved cotton shirt, jeans, and, yes, sneakers. Now that he saw Sabrina dressed to kill, he kinda wished he’d stepped it up a notch.
Logan shot Marcus a dark look before telling Sabrina, “It’s a nice dress.”
“Thanks,” she said. No smile for him. It was on the tip of his tongue—you look stunning, insanely sexy—but he stopped himself. They were friends and he had a girlfriend. Kinda. The long-distance thing with Olivia made it hard to know where he stood, but she’d seemed really into a future together. He’d find out in less than a week when he took her to dinner. Wait and see, wait and see.
The hallway ended in a room with a glossy honey-colored semicircle bar with five red velvet chairs set around it. Long cushioned benches lined opposite walls. Four hanging lights over the bar spotlighted his twin brothers, Jake and Josh, serving up drinks. Josh was pouring wine for their sisters-in-law while Jake was pouring what looked like scotch for their brothers.
The way to tell the twins apart was easy if you knew them well, because they were complements of each other. Josh was laid-back and dressed casually in flannel shirts, faded T-shirts, and ripped jeans, letting his hair grow shaggy, forgetting to shave for days on end. Jake was driven, dressed in crisp designer clothes—even his casual clothes were designer—his hair always cut and styled, sometimes stubbled, but usually clean-shaven. They had a similar sense of humor, though, loving to razz people. Feisty banter with a woman was foreplay to them.
Maybe Logan should explain that to Hailey, who took everything Josh said so personally. Josh would kill him if he did. Whatever. If Josh wanted to torture himself by never getting Hailey out of his system, then that was his own damn fault.
Marcus slipped behind the bar. “All right, which one of you birthday boys wants a break? I got this.”
His sister-in-law Claire leaned across the bar and spoke in her throaty voice. “Josh, could you grab some of those champagne bottles and take them to the other bar? My friends love champagne.”
“Sure.” Josh reached under the bar and pulled two bottles of champagne out. “For my birthday, eh?”
“Sure,” Claire said with a laugh. “Honestly, they don’t need a reason.”
Josh nodded once and left. Marcus took over with the wine.
Jake shook his head at Claire, smiling. “Subtle.”
Claire smiled mischievously. “I know.” Probably Hailey liked champagne.
“C’mere, you,” Claire said, crooking her finger at Sabrina, who was setting her purse on one of the long benches across the room. “You can have my seat. I think I’ve tasted enough wine. I’m going to bring some of the food down.”
His sisters-in-law jumped up to help Claire, and the three of them headed out. He watched while Claire stopped next to Sabrina on her way out, giving her shoulder a squeeze and whispering something. Sabrina laughed, saying something to her friends he couldn’t quite catch, all warm, friendly smiles. Now why couldn’t Sabrina be warm and open like that with him? It was like he made her close up just by being near. The exact opposite effect he usually had on women.
Logan casually waited for Sabrina to take a seat at the bar before taking the seat next to her. “All set for LA?”
She nodded at Marcus, who was holding up a bottle of red to her, before answering Logan. “Yeah. Claire lent me three outfits, and I already had one of my own that I was happy with. I got these kickass shoes with wings—”
“Wings?” Logan asked. “Like a superhero or something?”
She giggled. Sabrina never giggled. “Just a minute. I’ll show you.” She walked over to the cushioned bench and bent to retrieve her phone from her purse. He admired her fine ass again and quickly looked away as soon as she straightened. He caught Marcus’s knowing look. Jake chuckled.
Logan stared straight ahead, working on being the picture of innocence.
Sabrina sat next to him and showed him her phone with a picture of the shoes. “Aren’t they gorgeous?” Silver stilettos with wings and ankle straps. Sexy as hell. Who was this woman, and what had she done with untouchable porcelain-doll Sabrina?
“What’s going on with you?” he asked, genuinely confused. “The whole time I’ve known you, you’re dressed like a professional, like some kind of…” He gestured up and down her sexy body, trying to think of something more complimentary than untouchable porcelain doll.
She took a sip of the small bit of wine Marcus set in front of her for tasting. “Like a counselor?”
Logan pointed at her. “Yes! And now you’re suddenly wearing stuff you’d see on the red carpet. Claire stuff. Are you trying to be like Claire?”
“Have some scotch,” Jake said, shoving a tumbler in front of him. “Don’t talk so much.”
He glared at his big brother.
Sabrina smiled at Marcus. “This is delicious wine. Hints of chocolate in it. What’s it called?”
Marcus lifted the bottle. “Decadence.”
Sabrina licked her lips, and Logan’s cock perked up. “I love Decadence,” she purred.
“Have some more,” Marcus said, filling her glass.
“Oh, stop, stop!” Sabrina said with a laugh. “I started the party early with Claire. This is my third glass.” She leaned close and batted her eyes at Marcus. “Can you tell?”
Marcus leaned close, nose to nose, his voice husky. “Not at all, darlin’. Enjoy your wine.”
Sabrina patted Marcus’s clean-shaven cheek. He caught her hand and kissed the palm. Sabrina took her hand back and stared at it.
Logan tossed back some scotch. He winced, not used to hard liquor. Jake was watching him closely for some reason. Logan glanced over to his brothers, Alex and Ty, sitting on his other side to see if they were watching him too, but they were still deep in conversation about kid stuff. They were both dads.
He turned back to Sabrina, feeling Jake’s eyes on him. What was with Jake today? “So you got the clothes and the shoes. You all set for the hard-hitting interview questions?”
“We’ll see,” Sabrina caroled. He’d honestly never seen her like this, all giggly and practically singing her words.
“Are you drunk?” If she was drunk, he should probably get her home before she did something stupid like hook up with Marcus. His friend was a great guy, just not great at relationships. Sabrina deserved better than that.
She gave him a goofy smile and sipped her red wine. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
Jake and Marcus exchanged a look behind the bar, grinning at each other, clearly finding Sabrina entertaining. Logan didn’t see what was so funny.
“Yeah, I would like to know,” Logan said. “That’s why I asked.”
She let out a soft sigh and set her glass on the bar with a thunk. She turned to him, her eyes wide, her voice earnest. “Logan, I’m really, really sorry I threw you under the bus, and I just want you to know I really, so sincerely hope you can work things out with Olivia. Okay?” She didn’t wait for a response, instead answering her own question. “Okay. Good talk.”
“Thanks.”
She cocked her head. “Is that a problem for you?”
His brows scrunched together in confusion. He had no idea what she was talking about.
“Olivia?” Jake asked. “The one from college?”
Sabrina chugged her wine.
“Yeah, we reco
nnected recently,” Logan said, tearing his gaze from Sabrina. “You know, it’s long distance, she’s out in San Francisco, so I didn’t tell anyone about it. Kind of wait and see where things go.”
“I remember her from your graduation,” Jake said. “High-strung.”
“She’s not high-strung,” Logan said. “Just high energy.”
Jake shrugged.
Sabrina ran her fingers through her hair, making it look sex tousled. He stared at the bar, anything but looking at the sexy picture she made.
She spoke again, her voice much louder than usual. “I sure hope you can work things out with Olivia, Logan. I really, really do. Logan and Olivia. That’s nice how your names are almost palindromes, L-o, O-l.” No, they weren’t, and she seemed a little too enthusiastic about the whole thing.
“Do you really, really hope that?” he asked dryly.
“Yes!” She poked his arm. “Ooh, call her right now and I’ll tell her too.”
“Sabrina, I think I should drive you home now.”
“What! Why?”
“Because you’re drunk.”
She leaned close, smiling, her honey and flowers scent surrounding him, making him desperate to taste. “And you’re in a relationship. I’m not! But nobody cares because I’m the relationship expert!”
Her brown eyes were glassy, but this was the closest she’d ever been. A sharp tug of need had him leaning back. “Except you’re not an expert, are you?” She’d said she’d had a committed relationship a long time ago. She was twenty-six, so he was willing to bet it was her one and only relationship. She hadn’t been involved with anyone since. At least she’d never mentioned an ex.
“But I sound like one on TV!” she sang. “Claire has set me up good. All the hosts know her, all of them got the heads-up that we’re friends, and all the questions will be so-o-o easy.” She pounded the bar. “More Decadence, please!”
“Coming right up,” Marcus said, pouring her another glass.
Logan stepped in. “Sabrina, you’re going to get sick. How many glasses do you usually have?”
She slowly blinked at him. “I leave tomorrow for LA. Claire says you’ll be in San Francisco by Thursday, so wave at me down there.” She spread her hands a few inches apart. “We’ll be this far apart according to Google Maps.”
He couldn’t help but laugh. She was an entertaining drunk. “Okay, I’ll wave to you.”
She held up a finger. “But stop waving on Sunday. That’s when I go home.”
“I go home the following Wednesday, so I’ll wave to you on the East Coast.” He spread his palms wide. “It’s about this far apart on Google Maps.”
She took a swallow of wine and frowned. “I’d better stop. Here, Marcus.” She handed her glass back. “I don’t want to be hungover on the plane.”
Marcus took a sip from her glass, right where she’d sipped, his dark eyes glued to Sabrina.
Sabrina leaned across the bar and whispered loudly to Marcus, “That has my germs.”
Logan slapped a palm on the bar. “He’s flirting with you! God, Sabrina, don’t you even know when someone’s flirting with you?”
Her jaw dropped as she stared at him in shock.
Marcus shook his head at him. Alex and Ty got up and left, Ty slapping a hand on his shoulder as he passed in some kind of brotherly solidarity.
Jake jerked his chin at him.
“What?” Logan barked.
Jake gave him a sympathetic look. “Might be time to check out another part of the party, bud.”
Great. The heave-ho from his own brother.
“You know what?” Sabrina snapped. “I’ll go. I don’t need to sit here and get yelled at.” She grabbed her phone, stood unsteadily, turned, and walked away.
She’d left her purse on the bench. He grabbed her purse, catching up with her as she moved unsteadily through the brick hallway toward the noise of the party. “Sabrina, I’m sorry.”
She whirled. “It’s a party! Excuse me for enjoying myself. And I can’t help it if Marcus drank from my glass!”
He set her purse over her bare shoulder, his fingers grazing warm silky skin. “You’re right. I’m just in a mood, I guess.” And then he couldn’t help himself, the words tumbling out. “You look stunning in that dress. It suits you.”
She leaned close enough for his pulse to thrum, his body heating, primed for more. “It’s Claire’s,” she said softly.
Do not touch her. She was drunk. He was not exactly single. They were friends. “It still looks amazing.” His voice came out husky, his own lust betraying him. “Can I say that as your friend?”
She pursed her luscious pink lips like she had to think it over. “Sure, why not? Claire, Lexi, and Hailey said the exact same thing.”
He was dying for a taste of her sweetness, nearly woozy with her scent—honey, flowers, and sweet Sabrina. “Guess I’m not very original,” he murmured.
She sighed, her breath fanning his face. His gaze dropped to her mouth, the temptation of it made him lean in ever so slightly. Time stood still, the air crackling between them as they stood, nearly touching, sharing a breath. So close, so tempting, so necessary. The blood roared in his ears.
She took a step back and held up a palm.
He gave himself a mental shake. That palm was the stop sign on lust, but his lust wasn’t going anywhere, still running full throttle through him, every instinct driving him to get closer. “Sabrina.”
She blinked rapidly and took a deep breath. “I don’t think we should be friends anymore. I can’t…I just think we should say goodbye.”
His chest clutched. “Why?”
“Because…” She let out a huge sigh. “Because you’re leaving.”
“Not right away.”
She tilted her head. “And I kinda hate you a little bit for that when I should be happy for you, so goodbye.”
They stared at each other. Was this really it? A drunken goodbye in his brother’s basement? Her eyes watered, and she took in a shuddering breath like she was going to cry or something.
He offered his hand for at least a goodbye handshake.
She rushed at him, hugging him tight around the middle. No elbow squeeze, no awkward pat on the back, just a warm hug, her soft curves fitting perfectly against him. His arms went around her for only a moment before she pulled away.
Then she was gone.
And he was left standing there, suddenly cold and alone, wondering what the hell just happened.
Chapter Eight
Sabrina flew first class to LA courtesy of The Joanne Show, feeling extraordinarily tired. After she’d said goodbye to Logan, she’d been on the verge of tears and ran into Claire, who arranged for a ride home for her and then waited with her in the foyer while Sabrina babbled about how none of it had worked. Logan had noticed her dress, but he had absolutely no problem with all her good wishes for him and Olivia, and he’d even been cool with saying goodbye to their friendship. Never mind that the goodbye was what she’d wanted in light of his obvious devotion to Olivia. She’d held out a desperate hope that he’d step up, declaring Sabrina was too good a friend to let go. She sighed. It really was over. Logan was in the past.
Her future was ahead in a blooming career. She’d promised her literary agent she’d work up an outline for her relationship book while she was in LA, and she was excited by the idea. If only she could get past her total failure in the relationship department, then she could be open to whatever happiness awaited in the future. The hard thing was waiting for that future to happen.
She closed her eyes, her mind replaying the party last night for the hundredth time. She’d really tried to give Logan a signal, but she’d gotten more and more nervous about exactly how to do that without throwing herself at him, and ended up drinking more and more wine. He’d spent most of the time looking baffled, some of it entertained, and then he’d yelled at her just because Marcus drank from her glass. That was uncalled for. It wasn’t like she’d done anything wrong. Alt
hough…he had said she looked amazing in Claire’s dress. Of course, so did her friends, so that didn’t mean more than a friend thing.
There was a moment there. A brief moment after he’d apologized when he’d leaned so close she’d thought they might kiss. And she’d wanted that more than anything, but then she’d remembered that was her attraction for him, not his for her. And he was with Olivia.
Goodbye, Logan. Hello, future happiness. She hoped. She deserved a little happiness, didn’t she? She reclined her seat, tired of wallowing, and drifted to sleep.
She woke just before landing. Once at the airport, she found her ride, which whisked her off to a hotel in Beverly Hills. Her appearance on The Joanne Show was tomorrow afternoon. Claire had advised her to arrive a day early to get over the jet lag.
And what a day it was! She relaxed poolside, feeling decadent as she read Married to my Fiancé and sipped pomegranate-flavored iced tea. She could get used to this kind of life. Claire had arranged everything, and she couldn’t thank her enough.
The next day she arrived at The Joanne Show for the one o’clock taping, refreshed and ready to go. The show would air at four o’clock today. She was whisked to hair and makeup, where first her makeup was applied and then her hair done. She wore her royal blue silk blouse with charcoal gray pants and her new metallic heels with wings. Claire had declared her outfit was the perfect middle ground between professional and stylish.
Joanne Fisher walked into the hair and makeup area to greet her. In person she was even prettier than on TV. She was probably in her forties, her dark hair highlighted with auburn, ending just past her jaw. Her eyes were brown, warm and sparkling with good humor. Like Logan’s eyes. Nope. Not going there.
Joanne took the makeup chair next to Sabrina. “So you’re the Hollywood Love Guru. Who’s on your client list?”
Sabrina felt herself flush. Claire had encouraged her to embrace the label. It was, after all, the main reason Sabrina had been invited on all these talk shows. As uncomfortable as it was for her, knowing it had only been gossip that led to the label, Sabrina went along with it for the greater good. Her agent had assured her that the talk shows would lead to a lucrative book deal with a big marketing budget, which would mean a large audience for her book. That was what it all came down to for Sabrina—helping the most women she could with the kind of committed relationship they deserved.
Chance of Romance (Happy Endings Book Club, Book 8) Page 8