Accidents Make the Heart Grow Fonder

by Tara Mills

  “Okay, I’ll see you then.”

  Hanging up, she screamed, “Whoo-hoo!” and shot to her feet to do a jiggy dance. She was getting another shot.

  Then it hit her. Ugh. She dropped into her chair. Was the guy out of his mind? Either that or he was the bravest man she ever met. Well, whatever his reasons, this was her chance, perhaps her last opportunity, to prove she wasn’t the awkward klutz he thought she was. She was going to bowl him over (for heaven’s sake not literally) with her elegance and sophistication. She’d be witty and urbane, the perfect date. A man like Jackson had standards, and the woman he chose to escort needed to understand what was expected of her. He was classy, so she’d better be classy too, or at least do a damn good job of faking it in front of his friends and associates. Talk about pressure.

  Where the hell was Maxine’s telephone number? Business before pleasure.

  Five minutes later Sabrina went looking for her cohort. She found Tanya putting a sheet of Idaho potatoes into the oven.

  “What’d you find out?” Tanya asked, closing the oven door and setting the timer.

  “Maxine’s going to be here in an hour and she’s bringing along a couple of bottles for us to try. Then we’ll go over prices. Feel like sitting in on the wine-tasting?”

  “Silly question. Maybe Nate should join us.”

  “I’ll see if he can step away from the bar.” Sabrina gave her an enigmatic smile. “Do you have a minute?”

  “Sure. What’s up?”

  Sabrina looked around, making sure no one was close enough to overhear. “Jackson called and asked me to be his date a week from Saturday. It’s a station party on the Mary Belle.”

  “No way! I’ve always wanted to go for a cruise on that boat. Wait. Do they even call something that big a boat? Oh, who the hell cares. It’s gorgeous.”

  “I know. I’m so excited.” Then she sobered. “I can’t believe he asked me.”

  “It is weird. Maybe he’s a little twisted.”

  “Not that again. He’s a perfectly nice, amazing guy. This is probably the last chance I get to show him who I really am without mucking it up. I really want him to like me.”

  “I know you do. You want him.”

  Sabrina sighed. “Yeah, it’s too late to deny it now. I’m resigned.”

  “But what if he really is kinky nuts? Maybe he’s the kind of guy who gets off on women beating the crap out of him. Would you still want his body this bad if he was?”

  “Just stop, please. Don’t keep putting perverted ideas into my head.”

  “Dominatrix, that’s the word I was looking for.”

  “Cut it out!”

  “Well, would you?”

  “No, damn it. I’d be seriously disappointed. But you’re wrong. I may not be one of those drop-dead-gorgeous types Jackson usually takes out, but you know what I am?”

  “A disaster waiting to happen?”

  “Funny. No, I’m real, I’m authentic. I have quirks, sure, but I’m all-natural, come as you are. No additives and no preservatives.”

  “Like Haagen Daz.”

  “Exactly. It’s the heavy cream that makes it better, no matter what the advertisers and magazines say.”

  “You’ve lost me. Are you talking about your curvaceous body or ice cream?”

  “Both. It’s a metaphor.”

  “Got it. You shouldn’t worry so much. You’re beautiful. If he wanted a scrawny waif he would have asked one of those to go on the cruise instead.”

  “Exactly.”

  “It has nothing to do with nipple clamps.”

  “Go away.”

  “I’m kidding. Of course you realize this calls for the perfect dress. You have to wow him.”

  “I know.” Sabrina groaned. “What do you suggest?”

  “The mall, of course. We need to start looking tonight.”

  “What about Brian?”

  “He’s got a card game.”

  “Good. This might take a little time.”

  “You’re going to look spectacular.”

  ****

  “No,” Sabrina said adamantly three hours later as she peeked out from behind the changing room door. “Not happening.”

  “Let me see,” said Tanya.

  “You have to come in here because I’m not stepping out there.”

  “Fine.” She joined Sabrina, shutting the door behind her. Then she grinned. “I can see most of your boobs.”

  “I know. If I were breast-feeding twins, this would be perfect, but I don’t think it hits the right note for an elegant date. I feel like I’m shopping in Sluts R Us here.”

  “I see your point. Well, what about this one?”

  “No.”

  “I have a good feeling about it.”

  Sabrina looked at it critically and grimaced. “Forget it. I hate the plastered-down bustline look. It always reminds me of wearing a bath towel.”

  “But it’s strapless.”

  “Who cares? It’s unflattering. I hate it, and the cut is going to make my waist look thick. I only brought it in here because you forced it on me.”

  “You’re right. We need to show off your girls, but not quite that bad.” She turned and took another dress off the hook. “Try this one.”

  “Tanya, look how it plunges!”

  “Geez, Sabrina, give the guy something to drool over. Work with me here.”

  “You just don’t get it,” Sabrina whined helplessly, stepping out of the first of her hated choices. “This is not what I had in mind.”

  “Well, what then?”

  “Think Julia Roberts going to the Polo Club in Pretty Woman.”

  “We’re like a thousand miles from Rodeo Drive, honey.”

  “I don’t need Rodeo Drive to look appropriate. I want feminine, not floozy. I’ll be meeting his colleagues on a yacht, for crying out loud. These are professional television types. People like that are automatically image conscious, and I have to fit in. The last thing I want to do is embarrass Jackson and make him regret asking me.”

  “Chill. You’re wigging out here.”

  “Well, I really like him, and you’re not listening. We’re wasting our time with this crap. Jackson didn’t ask a bimbo, he asked me, and this,” she held out her arms, “is who I am. Whatever I’m doing seems to be working for him, so let me handle this, okay?”

  “Well, we’re obviously in the wrong store.”

  “Obviously.”

  “So you suggest something.”

  “Macy’s or Marshall Fields will be a good start.”

  “Hurry up and get dressed.”

  “Take these.” Sabrina pushed the rejected dresses at her friend with distaste.

  ****

  Sabrina burst out of the dressing room and spun in front of Tanya. “This is what I had in mind,” she exclaimed, her face aglow.

  “Classic Ralph Lauren—can’t go wrong there, but did you see the price?”

  “Elegance doesn’t come cheap and neither do I.”

  Tanya laughed. “Well, if you’re sure.”

  “Oh, I’m sure. This is definitely the dress.” Who needed groceries when they could have a dress like this instead? “It makes me feel like a different person—more sophisticated.” She swished back and forth, smiling at herself in the mirror.

  “Well,” Tanya admitted, “you look pretty. That’s a nice cut on you.”

  “I’m buying it.”

  “Better your credit card than mine.”

  “Be right out.” Sabrina floated back to the changing room.

  Tanya returned to the racks and browsed through clothing that would never be her style or price range. Sabrina, on the other hand, had an instinct and she could pull this transformation off. Still, this was strange, unprecedented. Sabrina didn’t lose her head over guys like this. Jackson was a little rich for Tanya’s blood. Grade A Choice, no question, but still too expensive. Good thing it wasn’t up to her. However, Sabrina ought to suit him nicely. Tanya let out a twisted little laugh.
Maybe the ice queen would finally cometh. For everyone’s sake, she hoped to hell it happened soon.

  ****

  “You’re looking a little green around the gills there, Jackson. Anything wrong?” Van asked when Jackson wandered through the studio.

  “I have another date.” The guy looked shell-shocked.

  Van slapped his thigh and burst out laughing. “God, I knew it! I knew you’d cave and call her.”

  “Yeah, you’re so smart,” Jackson said sarcastically. “How much money’s riding on this?”

  “It’s twenty to play.”

  “And?”

  “Well, I’m thinking she knocks you right off the gangplank before you even reach the boat, but then I’m an optimist.”

  “Nice.”

  “Derek thinks you’ll make it halfway and take a cold dive over the side.”

  “So I’m basically getting wet.”

  “That’s the consensus, though Yeager sees you getting knocked down the stairs between decks and breaking your leg.”

  “Even Yeager is in on the pool?”

  “It keeps us going. Can’t wait to see how it plays out. I’m taking Tawny to a nice hotel without the girls for a night if I win.”

  “Is Tawny playing?”

  “Yep. She’s guessing you get your hand caught in something. I tried to explain to her that this kind of boat doesn’t have rigging, but she’s adamant.”

  “You’re all lunatics.”

  “Hey, to be fair, we’re not the ones who keep throwing ourselves on the grenade.”

  “Screw you all,” Jackson yelled. To his disgust, everyone laughed heartily as he stormed out.

  Damn, they were right. He did deserve this. He pulled out his phone and punched in his brother’s number. It was after hours now. He wouldn’t be tied up with a patient.

  “Rob, I did it again.”

  “What’s that?”

  Jackson slammed his office door and rounded his desk. “I asked her out.”

  “Calamity Jane?”

  “Sabrina.”

  “Same difference.”

  “Ass.”

  “Are you looking for sympathy and understanding? Because I’ve gotta tell ya, that’s not doing it for me.”

  “They’ve got a pool going at work.”

  “A pool?”

  “How fast and in what way she wipes me out.” Rob laughed and Jackson scowled. “It’s not funny.”

  “Hell, yes, it is. Can I get in on this too? Better yet, can I come and watch? It’s been a long time since I saw good slapstick.”

  “No,” Jack said tightly. “It’s for staff and their dates only.”

  “Can’t blame a guy for asking.”

  “Why did I bother calling you?”

  “You tell me.”

  “I wish I knew, now.”

  “My guess—you want me to tell you you’re not crazy.”

  “Might be it.”

  “Can’t do it.”

  “What?”

  “Love is one of those things that defy reason. You’re not in your right mind, i.e., you’re falling in love and you want someone to save you but you know that’s impossible.”

  “I’m not falling for her, and you’re fucking useless. No goddamned help at all.”

  Rob laughed. “This is awesome. She’s got you running scared and meeting yourself again in tight little circles. I can’t wait to see this woman.” Rob chuckled. “Now, who do I call to get in on the pool?”

  “Kiss off. I’m hanging up now.”

  Chapter 19

  To say Jackson was tense during the next week and a half would be an understatement of gross proportions. He was jumpy, skittish, wound so tight it wasn’t even fun for his crew to sneak up behind him anymore. They decided to leave him alone. A mercy, really.

  Sabrina wasn’t faring much better. As soon as she’d found the perfect dress and shoes, she broke into a nervous rash that covered her entire face and chest.

  “This isn’t working,” she wailed, dabbing more ointment onto her spots.

  Tanya looked at her and sympathized. “Brie, you have to give it more time. The pharmacist said there is no overnight cure for this. You need to calm down. This is stress-induced.”

  “But I’ve never had a rash like this before.”

  “Pretty significant, isn’t it?”

  “How’s that?” Sabrina sniffled, setting down her mirror with a shaking hand. Her eyes were welling again.

  “I totally understand how badly you want to impress Jackson. You put a lot of planning into how you’re going to fix your history with him and start fresh, but look how much pressure you put on yourself. You need to stop it. He obviously thinks you’re pretty, and he’s willing to risk god-only-knows what else to see you again. That should make you feel good, not stressed out.”

  “I know the kind of women he dates. I’ve seen them, and I don’t measure up, not by a long shot. I’m not his type at all. He needs someone elegant, stunning, and sophisticated. I work at a bar, for crying out loud.”

  “It’s an upscale restaurant and bar, and you’re the manager.”

  “Big deal. I schlepped food and drinks for years to get here, and where am I? Working a dead-end job with a dead-end salary. I should have stayed in school.”

  Tanya groaned. “Not this again. Do we have to go into ‘the one hundred things I’ve done wrong in my life’ right now? Because, frankly, with you hiding out here in the office I have shit to do out in the restaurant. So either come out and join us or go the hell home, because I can’t sit here and hold your hand any longer.”

  Too self-conscious to show her face, Sabrina chose to slip out the back with her box of tissues under her arm. She was sure, as she paced dejectedly around her apartment that night, that she was going to have to phone Jackson and cancel, but Friday morning she woke to clear and beautiful skin, unmarred by a single red splotch. Just to be safe, Sabrina wore a hat and dark glasses to work, protecting her skin from the sun. She wasn’t taking any chances.

  When Tanya saw her, she grinned. “Nice to have you back. Your skin is glowing. What’d you use?”

  “Shut up,” Sabrina said, laughing. “Can I do anything for you?”

  “I’m cool.”

  “You can say that again.” Sabrina gave her friend a grateful hug before they went into the coolers to make room for the big deliveries coming later that morning.

  ****

  Friday afternoon Simon Yeager called Jackson into his office for a private meeting.

  Jackson came prepared. In his hands were the latest ratings (still climbing steadily) and the increased sales figures. He was ready to defend his news department and go down fighting if he had to.

  “Good to see you,” Yeager said, meeting him at the door and gesturing him to a chair. “Share a drink with me?”

  Jackson’s already frayed nerves kicked into overdrive. He was supposed to have a year! What the hell happened? Braced for bad news, he nodded slowly, resigned to whatever upheaval was about to hit him. He had a feeling he was going to need that drink.

  Yeager walked over and handed Jack a glass of scotch, then took his executive chair on the other side of the gorgeous cherry desk.

  “You’ve been looking a little pale lately, Jackson. Everything okay?” he asked with amusement.

  “Fine, fine.”

  “We’ll see,” he said, chuckling. Jackson suspected he was thinking of his bet and wondering how it would pay out. “The reason I asked you in here is because I have some news, and it’s going to affect you one way or another. You’ve got some decisions to make.”

  Jackson took a swallow and waited silently. Yeager reminded him of a spider in a web, toying with his lunch before springing.

  “What kinds of decisions are we talking about, Simon?”

  Yeager kicked back and smiled. “I wanted you to be the first to hear that I’ve taken an offer in Tampa. I’m leaving in three weeks.”

  Jackson sat up in surprise. “Tampa?”
>
  “Another independent, but it’s big—better budget, bigger audience.”

  “No kidding.”

  “The owners here asked for my thoughts on my successor. I threw your name into the ring. It’s the one they were hoping for.”

  “My name?”

  “Yes. As the general manager, obviously you’d be in control of more than just the news department. You’d be overseeing the entire station, everything—advertising and programming decisions, money allocation, you name it. I think you’d be great at it.”

  “General manager,” Jackson said softly, thrown by the news.

  “There’s a healthy bump in pay, better schedule. Still long hours, but you won’t be walking out of here at eleven or later every night.”

  “How long do I have to think it over?”

  “We’d like your decision by Monday, if possible, so we can transition you in and I can get you up to speed, but we’re willing to wait until Wednesday. I’m sorry this is so rushed, but Tampa wants me now. Their GM left unexpectedly for medical reasons and they’re without anyone at the helm. The sooner I’m free to get down there, the better.” Yeager took a healthy swallow of scotch and set down his glass. “Listen, Jackson, whether you take this position or not is entirely up to you. Either way we need time to find someone, but we prefer to promote from within. The owners want you and I agree with them. The job is yours if you want it.”

  “Do I get a say in my replacement?”

  “Naturally. I assume you’re thinking of Van for news director?”

  Jackson nodded. “I am. He knows everything that’s going on and he already has the crew behind him. That kind of loyalty is hard to find.”

  “He’s the most logical choice,” Yeager said. “Well, give it some thought this weekend and don’t be afraid to call me if you have any questions or—oh, wait, I’ll be seeing you tomorrow. You can always pull me aside if you want to talk. I’ll help in any way I can.”

  “Thanks.” Jackson finished his scotch and rose to put his glass on the pullout bar. “I appreciate your confidence.”

  “You’ve earned it.”

  Jackson smiled and walked out. This was turning out to be a pretty big weekend for him. General Manager wasn’t a job he’d aspired to, but he couldn’t deny its allure. What would he do with hours of programming at his disposal? More local productions, naturally, perhaps expand on his efforts to win younger viewers to the station. Jared and Tom were just the tip of the iceberg. The teen and young adult demographic was the most neglected in their area and yet they spent a hell of a lot of money. Imagine tapping into their interests, getting a whole new and unexplored sponsorship geared specifically for that audience. Jackson’s brain buzzed with ideas and possibilities, but the upcoming newscast brought him out of his musings and back to reality.