She remembered their conversation when he rescued Butterscotch. She’d accused him of calling all his girlfriends by that name, and it appeared he hadn’t forgotten. Would he have gone to this much trouble if it was true? She stuck the note to the side of her computer screen where she could see it while she worked.
Fifteen minutes later, when she reached into her top desk drawer to get a paper clip, she found a second sticky note. This one said: You’re the only girl I ever let drive my truck. Sabrina sat back in her chair, her mind recalling a cold afternoon when he taught her to drive a stick shift. He’d been so patient even when she was grinding the gears loud enough for everyone from miles around to hear. Instead of laughing at her, he kissed away her tears of frustration and anger.
A search of the rest of the drawers in the desk didn’t produce any more notes, but knowing Trent, there was probably more to come. In this she was correct. When she went to make a copy on her printer, a third note was stuck to the glass plate under the cover. It read: You’re the only girl whose kisses keep me awake at night. This one had her smiling dreamily. Isn’t it natural to want to believe that the one you love values your kisses above everyone else?
By the time she was leaving for lunch, she hadn’t found anymore. Since Trent wasn’t there to do it, she gathered the bag of bread crumbs she kept at work and headed over to the park. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the yellow note flapping in the afternoon breeze. As she got closer, she saw that he’d attached it to the tree trunk with a tack. You’re the only girl I’ve never been able to forget.
Tears blurred her vision as she fed the ducks. She was still teary-eyed as she made her way back to the office. Trent’s use of the sticky notes was symbolic in that it linked their past with the present. His messages told her something important. Contrary to what she thought, she had made an impact on him all those years ago. She wasn’t just one of the girls he’d dated. The connection she felt with him had been real; it just hadn’t been fully realized.
She must have appeared normal, because no one said anything; but when she reached the car, she couldn’t remember anything she’d said or done. When she got home, Madeline and James were getting ready to go out. She chatted with them a few minutes and then spent the next half hour sitting on her bed staring into space. All she could think about were the sticky notes still residing in the pocket of the coat she hadn’t yet removed.
She was reading them for the twentieth time when her phone beeped. She jumped off the bed so fast, she almost fell down. Running to the dresser, she grabbed the phone and looked at the green text bubble.
“Just got done with my presentation. I’m standing outside a conference room with about a hundred people. How was your day?”
“Thanks to you, it was exciting and mind-blowing. I’m absolutely speechless.”
“You didn’t find my notes and methods kind of sappy?”
“I loved them. I can’t believe you did all that before you left town this morning.”
“I wanted you to know how special you were back then and still are today. And in case you didn’t pick up on it, you’re the only girl I’ve ever written notes to.”
“I wish you were here right now.”
“If I was, would you kiss me again?”
“It’s a definite possibility.”
“I didn’t sleep a wink last night and probably won’t tonight, either.”
“You’re not the only one.”
“I’ve got to go back in. Our break is almost over. If I’m not too late getting back to my hotel tonight, I’ll call you.”
Sabrina was sitting in the living room when Madeline returned. She closed the book she hadn’t been reading and swung her feet to the floor. “You’re back early.”
“James has some big manager’s meeting tomorrow that he needs to get ready for. You’re looking very pleased with life. Did you just get off the phone with Trent?”
“He texted me a few hours ago.”
“And you still look like this? I’d love to know what he said.”
“It’s not what he said; it’s what he did.”
Madeline came over to sit down next to her, her eyes alight with curiosity. “Well, don’t keep me in suspense. Tell me.”
“He left me messages on yellow sticky notes in different places where I would find them.”
“How romantic! He didn’t want you to forget about him while he was away.”
“Like that was going to happen.”
Madeline laughed. “It’s been fun watching this reconciliation unfold. What was it you said? Oh, yeah, I remember. ‘He can have all the chances he needs, just not with me’.”
“I knew you’d bring that up at some point,” Sabrina grumbled.
“I don’t often get to see you eat your words. I’ve got some studying to do for a test on Friday. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Goodnight, Maddie.”
As Sabrina walked into the kitchen to make some hot chocolate, she knew that in the matter of Trent, she’d never enjoyed eating her words more.
Chapter Ten
Trent woke up early, his mind already calculating how many hours separated him from being with Sabrina. He had to laugh at himself. He’d never been like this before; so attracted to a woman he could barely let her out of his sight. Then again, he’d never been in love before.
After taking Butterscotch for the obligatory morning walk, he picked up Mason and headed to the mall so the latter could do his Christmas shopping. Mason wanted to get his mother a new purse using the money he’d earned doing odd-jobs and chores for Trent. Since neither of them had bought one before, the process took most of the morning. By the time they waited for the item in question to be gift-wrapped, ate lunch in the food court, stopped by the dry cleaners, and were on their way back, it was mid-afternoon.
Trent spent another half hour talking to Mason’s mother about a unit that would be opening up in his building after the holidays. Their previous discussions had always ended the same way. This time she was more open to the idea. He suspected her attitude change had less to do with his persuasiveness and more to do with the rash of recent break-ins in the area.
When he finally made it home, he gave Butterscotch a bath and then stretched out on the couch to watch the Army-Navy game on television. He could still remember when his father took him and Landris to Philadelphia to watch the two service academies face off. The images of that day remained with him even now thirteen years later: the cold December air stinging his lungs, the sight of thousands of servicemen wearing their uniforms in the stands, and the thrill of being part of one of the most iconic and traditional college football games.
During half-time, he went to his bedroom to change into the clothes he was wearing to Bradley’s Christmas party. He’d already decided he wasn’t wearing a tie. A sports coat over a sweater met his definition of semi-casual and would be more comfortable than a suit.
Not long after, he was strolling the short distance from his car to Sabrina’s door. He rang the doorbell and waited, his smile growing when he noticed that the wreath hanging from a red satin ribbon was not of the artificial variety. The teasing words he’d planned to say on that subject died on his lips when the door swung open and his eyes fell on her. The keys in his hand dropped to the ground. As he bent down to pick them up, his glance traveled upward from the strappy high-heeled sandals to the ivory dress with its flirty hemline and see-through long sleeves and lastly to the vivid pink lipstick on her very kissable lips. Trent’s heart dove right out of his chest and landed at her feet.
“Hi,” she said, smiling slightly.
“You look lovely, Sabrina; more like a goddess than ever.” The color in her cheeks came close to matching her lips.
“Thank you. You look very handsome yourself. Come on in. I need to get my purse and coat.”
He followed her inside and closed the door. “I’m nowhere near handsome enough to do you justice.”
“I could argue the point ve
ry effectively.”
“I don’t want to argue. I want to kiss you; but if I do, two things are going to happen. I’ll ruin your lipstick, and we’ll be late for the party.”
Sabrina looked up from doing something in her purse. “I don’t mind if you don’t.”
“That’s all I needed to know,” he said, reaching for her.
She smelled like an exotic flower. Chills raced up and down his spine. He moved closer until their lips met, his hands encircling her waist and sliding upwards to touch her hair. He felt her fingers take hold of the lapels of his coat as she returned his kisses with a fervor that matched his own. Along with the heat coursing through his veins was the sudden realization that love changes more than your heart; it makes the moments of intimacy more meaningful and imparts to them a deeper level of awareness. He released her slowly, the echo of his heartbeats sounding loud in his ears.
“We need to go, or we won’t make the party at all.”
She smiled ruefully. “I’d forgotten about the party.”
He dropped another quick kiss on her mouth. “I could easily forget about it, too, but I have a somewhat childish wish to show you off.”
“You’re overrating my appeal.”
Trent unhooked her coat from the stand near the door. “Trust me on this. You’re not seeing yourself through a man’s eyes.”
* * * * *
Sabrina’s glance left the glowing red taillights of the car in front of them and fell to the hand linked with hers. The only time Trent had let go of her was when he needed to use his hand for something. This constant attention kept her aware of him, as if they were communicating without the need for words.
“We’re almost there,” he said as he exited the interstate. “Bradley’s place is off this road. He and I played baseball together and had some fun times, but don’t believe anything he says.”
“What can he tell me about you that I don’t already know?”
Trent tilted his head sideways. “Probably nothing; I’m just covering my bases. Here we are.”
The driveway meandered through dense pine trees before coming to an end in front of a colossal three-story house made of stone. Sabrina turned to him, her eyes wide.
“This place is huge.”
“Bradley’s father is a state senator and a millionaire. You should see the house he grew up in.”
“This is all new to me. You’re probably used to it since your brother played professional baseball.”
“Landris’s house isn’t this big, and it’s twenty times more homey. You’ll see what I mean when you get inside.”
A young woman about their own age answered the door. “Hey, Trent. Glad you could make it.” She waved them inside the two-story foyer.
“Janine, this is my girlfriend, Sabrina Melton. Sabrina, this is Janine Timms, the woman Bradley finally talked into marrying him.”
“Hi, Sabrina. It’s nice to meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too, Janine.”
The three of them descended a shallow set of stone steps into a spacious high-ceilinged room. Over the discrete music playing in the background (which to Sabrina’s puzzlement had nothing to do with Christmas) was the buzz of conversation and the trill of laughter. About fifty people were either standing around or sitting on the white leather furniture arranged around black onyx occasion tables. Along one wall was an enormous marble fireplace covered in holiday greenery and white lights. Next to it stood an obviously artificial tree that was at least fifteen feet tall decorated in silver and gold. It reminded Sabrina of the ones she’d seen displayed in malls. It was definitely beautiful and eye-catching, but there was nothing that personalized it. It could have been taken down and put in anyone’s house.
At the far end of the room was an enormous flat screen television. One of the ten or so guys watching a football game stood up and walked toward them, his face breaking into a smile. Sabrina remembered seeing him on campus. While Trent still looked ready to step on the field, Bradley was carrying a few extra pounds.
“Trent! Thanks for coming.”
The two men shook hands and then Trent introduced Sabrina. If Bradley recognized her, he didn’t mention it.
“Do you play golf, Sabrina?” Bradley asked.
Sabrina laughed as she shook her head. “No, I don’t.”
“That’s good news. It means my winning streak over Trent has a shot of continuing. If you’re hungry, we’ve got food and drinks in the dining room. There’s also video games and billiards in the game room.”
“I want to show Sabrina your rock garden and koi pond before it gets too late,” Trent told him.
“Go ahead. I’ve added more since the last time you were here. The gate should be unlocked. If it’s not, just let me know.”
After Bradley left them, Trent said, “Do you want anything to eat or drink before we go outside?”
“I’m fine right now. The only koi I’ve ever seen were at Callaway Gardens. How does he keep them warm in the winter?”
“Like the pool, the pond is heated.”
“A heated pond? I feel like a fish out of water, no pun intended. I can’t imagine having enough money to indulge such an expensive hobby.”
“Don’t you mean you feel like a koi out of water?” he asked as he led her through a pair of double French doors.
“Being a koi would be out of my league. I’m more the ordinary pet store goldfish type.”
He took her hand as they walked across a tiled patio. “You and ordinary don’t belong in the same sentence.”
“What was all that about me playing golf?”
Trent chuckled. “The last time he and I played a round, my mind wasn’t exactly on golf. Now that he’s seen you, I’m sure he understands.”
Turning the handle of the gate, he let her precede him into what felt like another world. The area was lit by underground lights and surrounded by a tall privacy fence which added to the sense of isolation. Sabrina’s eyes were drawn first to the multi-level rock formation in the far corner from which sparkling water spilled into a nice-sized pond complete with its own miniature bridge. Swimming languidly through the water were at least twenty koi in shades of deep red-orange to ivory. Only the faint sound of music and voices drifting from the house reminded her that they weren’t alone.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” she said in a hushed voice.
Trent gave her a little push in the small of her back. “You can get closer. This isn’t Callaway. You’re allowed to touch.”
She moved forward, very aware of him a step behind. It was his touch that was causing the problem. How could something so fleeting manage to send tiny jolts of electricity through her?
“I could spend the rest of the evening right here watching the koi,” she said, coming to a stop in the middle of the bridge.
“That’s fine with me.”
“Don’t you want to mingle?”
“Not really. I’d rather spend time with you.”
“Bradley will wonder what we’re doing out here.”
Trent laughed. “He knows what we’re doing out here.”
“Does that mean I’m not the first woman you’ve shown the koi pond?”
He reached for her hand. “It doesn’t mean that at all. You are the first.”
“That’s hard to believe.”
“Not really. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t always have a girlfriend. I’ve actually gone six months or more without one.”
“Now we’re starting to get into the realm of impossibilities.”
“Keep that up, and I’ll make you walk home.”
“I wouldn’t get far in these shoes.”
His glance fell to her feet. “They look great on you, but how can you walk around in them without falling?”
“You get used to it.” She strolled to the other side of the bridge. “There’s a fountain over here. I wonder if it has koi in it, too.”
“It must be new,” Trent said from behind her. “I don’
t remember seeing it before.”
“There aren’t any fish, but the variety of water plants is amazing.”
“Bradley minored in horticology.” He drew her down to sit beside him on an elaborately carved bench. “I’ve been thinking about Christmas. I don’t want you to be in Alpharetta and me somewhere else. Would you consider coming to my parents’ house? It would mean a lot to me. I’ve never taken anyone home before.”
A prickling sensation passed over her. She turned to look at him. “Why do you want to take me home?”
He leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “Because you’re the one I want to keep. Forever.”
Sabrina’s heart shuddered to a stop as her mind took her back to another night when she’d said the same words to Trent. Was it merely coincidence or did he remember when she offered him her heart?
He tilted up her chin with gentle fingers, forcing her to look at him. “I’ve never been able to forget you. I thought it was because of what I did, but now I know it’s because of who you are. I was too focused on myself to recognize that I’d met my soulmate. That’s the reason I’ve never fallen in love until now. My heart has unconsciously been searching for the one who touched it so irrevocably before. I love you, Sabrina. I don’t expect you to believe me yet, but get used to hearing it because I’m going to tell you every day until you do believe me.”
Tears filled her eyes. “What if I told you that I already believe you?”
“How can you? I lied to you before.”
“Because this time you said it first. You aren’t reacting to something I said.”
He searched her face anxiously, clearly confused. “That doesn’t seem very…logical.”
“Love isn’t logical, Trent.”
“Are you saying that you…” he stopped, and she saw the start of tears in his eyes.
Sabrina ran her fingers down the side of his face. “I’m saying that I never stopped loving you, and I never will. I thought I had ripped you out of my heart until I walked into your office six weeks ago. Then I knew the truth: that you’ll always be the one. My grandmother used to say that love is a moment that lasts forever. I never understood what that meant until now.”
Dare to Love: A Sweet Contemporary Romance (Finding Love Book 4) Page 17