After she set Sam’s manuscript to print, Abby walked out of her office to retrieve it from the print station. Shana walked in.
“It’s nice to see that someone has a quiet evening ahead of them.”
“I guess it is nice.” Abby shrugged as she collected her document. “What brings you up here?”
“I came up to tell you that I’m headed out.”
“What’s going on?”
“Six models pulled out of Cedi’s show. We have two agencies sending models over this evening and Cedi asked me to help him choose who’s going to walk in his show.”
“He doesn’t want to do that himself?”
“You know how much he has riding on this. It’s the first plus-size fashion show at Fashion Week. You and I helped him wrangle some of the top names in plus modeling for the runway but they can’t model every outfit.”
“That’s true.”
“Do you want to come with me? The more eyes the merrier.”
“I would love to but I have a late appointment coming.”
“Okay. I’ve got to run. I’ll catch you up on what happened later and you can tell me what you know about Sam. Inquiring minds want to know.” She laughed.
“You’re hysterical,” Abby said drolly. “I’ll see you later. Good luck.”
“Thanks.” Shana dashed out.
I’m a big girl. I can handle this. Abby returned to her office and gathered everything together. Just as she walked out she saw Sam.
“You’re early.”
“I was a little anxious. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. I’m just surprised you didn’t cause more of a commotion downstairs.”
“To tell you the truth I don’t think they noticed me. Everyone seems to be moving at breakneck speed.”
“It’s the week before Fashion Week. There are only three speeds, fast, faster and warp speed.”
He laughed and then looked at Abby’s full hands. “Let me take that for you.” He emptied her arms.
“Thank you.”
“Not a problem.”
Sam followed her to the conference room where he placed everything on the table.
“Would you like some water?”
“Sure.” He sat down.
“I’ll only be a minute.”
As she turned to walk out, Sam focused on the way her pencil skirt hugged her rear. He cleared his throat.
Abby returned with two bottles of Pellegrino. “Here you go.” She put a bottle in front of Sam.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” She sat down. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to get right down to business.”
“Absolutely,” he agreed.
“I have to tell you that I really enjoyed your rewrites. It felt more personal this time.”
“It wasn’t personal before?”
“No.”
“You really took your time to answer,” he said facetiously.
“What I meant is, while I got the facts in the first draft, it felt as if a biographer had written it.”
“That’s the disconnect you referred to before.”
“Right,” she began. “This time I heard your voice. I especially enjoyed the passage about throwing your first touchdown, how in spite of the roar and cheers of the crowd, you only heard your father’s voice.”
“It’s true. I felt that way my entire career in the NFL.”
“Now that’s what I was talking about.” She grinned. “I was an academic. Outside of P.E., I didn’t play sports. I always wondered what moved athletes to excel and I felt I learned something from reading your work.”
“You didn’t like sports?”
“No. I liked sports. However, academia was the focus in my house for all of us kids. My parents didn’t have a problem with intramural sports, but team sports were vetoed.” She thought for a moment. “I wish I had gone out for a team sport. My son plays on his school’s lacrosse and baseball teams and he’s really turning out to be a well-balanced young man.”
“That’s terrific. Did you say lacrosse and baseball?”
“Yes.”
“He doesn’t play basketball?”
“He likes basketball but he can take it or leave it. Believe me, that didn’t go over too well with his father.”
“I’ll bet not.”
“This is what I was talking about. If you keep this up your book will give readers something to think about and it will be a conversation starter.” She unconsciously leaned forward. “When you think about it, sports is more than touchdowns, goals, homeruns, baskets or aces. It represents the best and the worst in human nature.”
“And here I thought it was about the joy of victory and the agony of defeat.”
“It’s about the continued drive for success and the joy when victory is snatched from the jaws of defeat.”
Sam stared at her in amazement.
“I’m sorry if I went a little overboard there.”
“No. Don’t be sorry. You’ve gotten me fired up, and that’s a good thing.” He smiled. “You’re amazing.”
“I wouldn’t go that far. I’m just an editor. This is what I do.”
“Oh, you are far more than just an editor.”
“Thank you.” Abby quickly took a sip of her water. Then she took out her notepad. “I only noted a few minor changes.” She tore off a couple of pages and handed them to him. “Outside of those changes, I’d say press on. You might even wind up with more pages than required.”
“You think so? Tandem wouldn’t mind if they got a longer manuscript than expected?”
“No. It’s easier to edit down than it is to build it up.”
“I can’t thank you enough for inspiring me.” He reached over and put his hand over hers.
Abby quickly pulled her hand away. “As I said, I’m just doing my job.” She looked away.
Sam firmly grabbed her hand in his. “Why won’t you look at me?”
“Would you please let go of my hand?”
“I can’t. I have something to say to you.”
Abby jerked her hand away and quickly got up. “Whatever it is, don’t say it.” She rubbed her forehead. “I think it’s best if from here on out we work by email as I suggested before. Ask Reggie for my email address. He’s got it. Good night.” She practically ran out of the conference room to the private elevator.
“Come on,” she pressed the button impatiently.
The doors opened. “Thank God.”
She stepped in and then Sam dashed in just as the doors were about to close.
“What are you doing?”
Sam pressed the stop button and pulled Abby into a long, hot passionate kiss. Soon they were pressed up against the back of the elevator.
Sam pulled away. “I know you felt that.” He panted.
“I don’t understand. We don’t know each other. How is this happening?”
“I can’t explain it either. All I know is that something started to build the moment I first saw you.” He gently caressed her cheek.
“But Sam,” she started.
Abby practically melted in his arms as he pulled her into another long, lingering kiss.
He reluctantly pulled away. “I know what you’re going to say but you should know that I want you and I know what I have to do.” He kissed her again and then pressed the button to open the doors. “I’ll see you soon.”
As soon as the doors closed Abby’s knees buckled wondering what he’d meant. Surely he wasn’t saying to break off his engagement. That would be nuts. The whole thing was crazy. Abby pressed the button for her apartment.
***
Given the events of the past few days, Sam called his father once he was back in his hotel room. Though his father had been a coach and a mentor to him, he was also the person he trusted to give him the best advice.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Dad.”
“Sam. What’s going on?”
“What makes you think something is going on?”
“I just know. Now what’s on your mind?”
Sam took a deep breath. “I’m in a bit of a situation here, Dad.”
“I’m listening.”
“I’ve been working with an editor on my book. Her name is Abby Carey and we’ve been spending a lot of time together….”
“And?”
“I think I’ve fallen for her.”
“You think?”
“No, I’ve fallen for her, and I don’t know what to do.”
“Have you acted on these feelings?”
“Yes,” he said hesitantly. “I haven’t slept with her,” he added quickly. “We’ve only kissed a few times. And before you ask, I was the one who initiated it.”
“I take it that the report we heard about you being in a hotel is true.”
“Yes. Maria and I had a fight. I didn’t want to say anything that I would regret, so I left.”
“Was that before or after you kissed Abby? Her name is Abby, right?”
“Yes. Actually it was before and after. Dad, when I talk to her it’s like we’ve known each other for years. It’s all so easy and natural.”
“I thought you said she was a stickler.”
“She is a stickler but when you get past that, she’s really a lovely woman.”
“A woman you want to know more about, right?”
“Yes.”
“Does she want to know more about you?”
“I think so, but she—”
“She doesn’t want to get involved with an engaged man.”
“Correct.”
“Then, son, I’m afraid you have some real thinking to do. First you have to consider whether this is a case of pre-wedding jitters. If it isn’t, you have to be prepared in case Abby decides she doesn’t want to pursue anything with you, and you really have to be ready for the fallout if she does.”
“I feel like I’m disappointing you. I know how you feel about honoring commitments.”
“You’d disappoint me more if you didn’t listen to your heart and went through with a marriage out of some misguided sense of obligation. Her family aside, I like Maria. She’s a lovely girl. However, there will be fallout.”
“I’ve got a lot of thinking to do.”
“Yes, I’d say you have some soul searching to do.”
“I’ll let you go, Dad. I know you and Momma had a long drive from Corpus Christi.”
“That’s one of the pleasures of being retired. We can sleep in.”
“Okay, then, Dad. You have a good night.”
“Good night, son.”
Sam flopped onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. “It’s going to be a long night.”
Chapter 13
On Tuesday morning, Sam went back to the apartment empty-handed. He’d called Maria earlier to be sure that she’d be there and not gone for an appointment. They had some serious talking to do.
When Sam opened the door, he followed Maria’s voice to the kitchen.
She froze for a moment. “Listen, Jessica. I have to go. We’ll talk later. Thanks.” She hung up. “You look like hell.”
“I haven’t been sleeping.” He sat down at the kitchen table.
“The water’s still hot. Do you want a cup of coffee?”
“No. If I have any more coffee, I’ll be up for a week.”
“Okay.” She took a breath. “You wanted to talk. Let’s talk.”
“Maria, there’s been so much happening with this wedding.”
“I know, but it won’t be like this forever. Just a few more months and we’re home free.”
“Are we?”
“What do you mean?”
“Right now it’s convenient to blame our problems on the stress of planning a wedding. What are we going to blame when the wedding’s over?”
“Is this still about sex and date night? You know that once this is over it will go back to way things were.”
“And how were things?”
“Good.”
“Really?” he said pointedly. “Are you sure?”
“Just because you say our sex life was sporadic doesn’t mean it was. You were in the NFL. You traveled,” she countered.
“You’re right, but what about the other six months of the year? We barely went out together. When we did we didn’t talk.”
“That’s not true. Why are you doing this? Are you trying to get out of the engagement?”
“I’m trying to get you to see things as they are.”
Maria got up. “I’m not listening to any more of this.” She rushed out of the kitchen.
Sam followed her. “Running away isn’t going to change anything, Maria. We have to deal with this.”
Maria ran into the bedroom and tried to close the door. Sam stopped her. “Let’s be adults about this.”
“Oh, you want to be adult about this? Is there someone else?”
“This isn’t happening because of another woman.”
“Then who is it about? Are you saying this is my fault?”
“No. We’ve grown apart. It happens.”
“Bull,” she shouted. “You’re blindsiding me. Everything was going along fine. I don’t understand.” She shook her head in disbelief.
“I know we love each other, but I don’t think we’re in love anymore. That’s why it was so much easier to focus on the aesthetics of the wedding. It kept us from having to look at what was going on underneath.”
Tears streamed down Maria’s face as she flopped onto the bed. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
Sam kneeled in front of her. “I’m sorry, Maria. I truly am. But I can’t go through with this wedding. I’ll always love you.” As he stood up he kissed her forehead. “I’m going to stay at the W for a while. I’ll have someone come and get some of my things. You can stay here as long as you like.”
Sam’s heart hurt as he heard Maria’s sobs. Though he was upset, he knew they would both be better off in the long run. He only hoped that eventually Maria would see it that way, too.
A few minutes later Sam was inside his Mercedes. He composed himself and phoned his parents.
“Hello?” his father answered jovially.
Sam could hear the sound of a crowd in the background.
“Hi, Dad. It sounds like you’re having a good time.”
“Your momma and I are at the school’s senior pancake breakfast.”
“That sounds like fun. I wish I was there,” Sam said somberly.
“What’s the matter, Sam?”
“No, I don’t want to bother you with my problems. I can call you later.”
“You will do no such thing. Hold on for a minute.”
Sam stayed quiet as he listened to his parents talk.
“Okay. Are you still there?”
“Yes, Dad.”
“I just told your momma that I was going outside for a minute. What’s going on?”
“I did some thinking after our talk last night and I made a decision.” He paused to take a breath. “I broke off the engagement.”
“I know it wasn’t easy for you.”
“Maria might disagree with you.”
“She’s hurt. You have to give her time.”
“Her family,” he groaned. “What am I going to tell them? They’re going to want an explanation.”
“Well, they can want anything they’d like. It doesn’t mean they deserve an explanation. This is between you and Maria. Where are you now?”
“I’m in my car, about to head back to the hotel.”
“What are you going to do about the apartment?”
“I told Maria she could stay there as long as she likes. I’m going to stay in the hotel for a little while. I’ll send someone to get some of my things.”
“What happens after that?”
“I’m not sure, Dad. I guess I’ll give it some time. I’m pretty sure Maria won’t want to stay there much longer.”
“Hmm,” his father said.
“What are you thinking, Dad?”
“Maria is a lovely girl, but she is Big Bill’s daughter. I think you’d be wise to expect the unexpected.”
“You really think she’d be vindictive?”
“All I’m saying is to be prepared.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Okay, Dad. I’d better get going. Traffic is going to be a bear. Give Momma my love and have a few buttermilk pancakes for me.”
“I will.”
As Sam pulled out into the street he thought about Maria and Big Bill. The Carrangelo family was known as one of the most powerful families in Texas. Big Bill and Kitty were friends of the Bush family. He quietly prayed for an uneventful breakup, but, as his father said, Bill Carrangelo played hardball with the big boys. Anything was possible, and this was one time when having endless possibilities wasn’t a plus.
***
Tuesday was an especially busy work day for Abby. After she’d handed out all the pitch letters she corrected. Shana asked her to help with Mark Botelli’s in house model run through and dress rehearsal.
As one of the models walked, Botelli made a face. “Essa una papera.”
“His translator is late.” Shana turned to Abby. ”What did he say?”
“Loosely translated, he said it’s a duck.”
“Gia is one of the top models in the country. Do you know how hard I had to work to get her?”
“I know.” Abby studied her in the dress. “It’s not her. I think it’s the dress. I don’t think it’s hanging properly.”
Shana got up and walked over to Gia. “Would you stand there for a minute, please?”
“Sure,” Gia answered.
Shana walked around her. “I think you’re right.”
“Mark, E ‘il vestito.” Abby motioned to him. “Look for yourself.”
He got up and looked more closely. “I see. I have to take it in a little more right here.”
“You speak English?” Shana said surprised.
“Of course he does. Otherwise he would have used lei instead of essa. You know just enough Italian to get by, don’t you Mark?”
He laughed. “Somehow Mark Botelli from Milan sounds better than Mark Botelli from Flatbush.” He said with a full Brooklyn accent.
“Well I’ll be damned.” Shana was shocked.
“Will you keep my secret?” He asked sweetly.
“It’s not up to me. You have to ask Shana.” Abby said as she got up. “Buona fortuna.” Abby playfully waved on her way out. A few moments later she was back upstairs on her floor.
I Take This Woman Page 13