"Wow, who knew your hardwood floors were so dark? I thought they were just clothing colored," Zoey teased from the kitchen.
"There are no boots in the oven," Billie exclaimed.
"Did you guys see the laundry room? There’s even a custom tin for the laundry pods," Meg announced with pride.
Domino hooked Sabrina under her arm, beaming with pride.
"Oh my god," Isla exclaimed from upstairs.
Sabrina and Domino exchanged a confused look.
"You said there were tons of black jeans, but I was not expecting this ," Isla continued.
Domino rolled her eyes. "I only have 22 pairs now," she said defensively.
"Why are you such a hoarder, Dom?" Meg asked, passing a glass of bubbly to Sabrina.
Domino smirked. "I'm not a hoarder," she protested.
"You want to know why? It was the Carebear," Billie said, sipping from her own glass.
Domino groaned. "Don't even start."
"The Carebear?" Vero asked, holding a La Croix can. "Like a stuffed animal or the show?"
"The stuffed animal from the show. Domino was obsessed with it as a kid. It had this tuft of hair on top of its head that Dom would stick up her nose," Billie said, laughing.
"Ew," Vero said, laughing.
Zoey stared at her with wide eyes. "You're so weird," she giggled.
"Why was this bear responsible for the hoarding?" Sabrina asked, sitting on the arm of the couch next to where Domino was.
Domino shook her head. "Not responsible, per se," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Okay, so, there were a ton of kids in our house. Five of us. Our parents brought it on themselves, but they also always looked to cut costs whenever possible, right?" Billie continued.
Domino squirmed in her seat. Sabrina put a hand on her shoulder. She hated the idea that they'd just sit around and talk about her childhood to explain the reason she did things.
"Every summer they'd throw this huge garage sale," Billie said. "And they'd have us clean out what we no longer used. They were so brutal about it. Mom would sit in our rooms, pointing to things. The boys and I were pretty easy going about it. We understood their reasoning for most things. But Domino hated the garage sale."
"They made me get rid of things I still used," Domino said, her voice pitching higher as she continued to defend her reasoning.
"Okay, but also, young Domino was an even bigger mess than she was a month ago," Billie said.
"Okay, okay," Domino said, giving Billie a pointed stare.
"Wait, how does this tie back to a Carebear?" Vero asked, looking between the two Rush sisters as though they were playing tennis.
"So, one year, Dom is probably around nine––"
"Seven," Domino corrected, setting her jaw.
"Okay, eight," Billie said, grinning. "And my parents begin to insist she gives up the Carebear. At this point, the bear is nearly bald. It's limbs are detaching. Giving it up becomes a full-on campaign. They start to encourage the rest of us to talk to her about it. They give us talking points, even. She's too old for it, it's beat up, she has nicer toys, other kids need toys more than she does, she needs to contribute to the garage sale. On and on."
"Why did they think anyone would want to buy such a well-loved bear?" Sabrina asked, her hand gently rubbing Domino's shoulder.
"They were tricking me! They didn't even want to sell the Carebear. They just wanted me to get rid of it because they thought it was ugly," Domino said, scowling.
"Did you actually give it up?" Zoey asked, her eyes wide.
"No," Domino said, shaking her head.
"She wouldn't. Then, the day of the garage sale comes. She can't find the Carebear anywhere. She tears apart her room. She goes through everything for the garage sale. She begins a full-on screaming fit –– you can imagine Mom handling that very well while strangers and neighbors are in the driveway, looking through the garage sale," Billie went on.
"To get me to stop, she tells me that she threw it away the day before," Domino said.
Sabrina gasped. "She threw it away?"
"And the day before was trash day," Billie added.
"That cunning woman," Isla said.
"And then Domino just disappears," Billie said.
Domino looked around the room to find that all of her friends were enraptured by the story, staring at her and Billie with wide eyes.
Sabrina looked down at Domino. "Disappeared? Where did you go?"
"I rode my bike to the landfill," Domino said, laughing.
"Jiminy Cricket," Sabrina said under her breath.
"Did you find it?" Meg asked.
"Nope," Domino said. "I looked for hours. I'd have spent the night, but a very nice woman found me digging through trash and thought I didn't have a home. I don't remember how the police were called, but I got to ride home in a cop car smelling like hot garbage."
"And ever since, she just... won't let go of things," Billie said, raising her eyebrows.
Sabrina stared down at Domino with wide eyes. "Yeah, that sounds traumatizing as heck. I'm shocked that you aren't an even bigger hoarder after that," she said.
"I'm just imagining young Domino, digging through trash, and it is both really sad and really hilarious," Zoey said, chuckling.
Meg was laughing. "Leave it to Domino to take matters into her own hands and just go to the landfill. At eight, I didn't even know where the trash went. I thought the truck ate it."
Domino laughed and moved over a few inches on the couch to pull Sabrina down to sit with her.
"What kind of Carebear was it?" Isla asked.
"Cheer Bear," Domino said with a grin.
"Oh, sure, the gayest one," Zoey said, rolling her eyes with a smirk.
"Wait, what made Cheer Bear gay? Or like, gayer than the rest of them?" Meg asked.
"She had a rainbow across her stomach," Sabrina said, grinning. "She was my favorite."
"Aw, look at you, made for one another," Vero said, smiling. She leaned over and kissed Billie on the cheek emphatically.
Sabrina blushed and Domino rolled her eyes. "Or just secretly gay even from a young age."
Everyone laughed. In a room full of queer women –– and Zoey, who was basically queer by association –– they all knew the feeling.
Chapter Twelve
Sabrina
Sabrina watched in anticipation as Domino scrolled through the final article on Decor's website on her phone. Sabrina had already read it twice, and she was worried about a line in the first paragraph more than anything.
"Professional Organizer Sabrina Meloy turned the quiet 1940s Hermosa Beach bungalow belonging to her girlfriend, The Shrike's Domino Rush, into a sanctuary of peace and tidiness."
Domino's face was expressionless as she read through the organizing tips that the interview featured, along with photos of Domino's home. There was a pop-out photo of Sabrina next to a photo of Domino.
They sat on the couch at Sabrina's place –– Sabrina had waited until after dessert to announce that the article was up. She had hoped that after a slice of strawberry rhubarb pie, Domino would be in a better mood to digest the awkward article.
Sabrina tried not to stare too intensely as Domino read, but as the room grew more and more quiet, the nerves churned in her stomach.
To be truthful, she wasn't too happy about it, either. It made it seem as though she only got the project because Domino was her girlfriend. Inaccurate on many accounts. She got the project because of a mutual friend and some lighthearted extortion. Nothing strange about that.
"Well," Domino said, sighing. "Seems as though Greta had her own ideas."
"Yeah," Sabrina said, trying not to sound like that hurt her feelings.
She watched Domino cautiously, as if she might be a bomb about to explode. Was this just the calm before the storm? Was Domino going to scream and shout –– maybe even throw a vase? It almost seemed worse that Domino wasn't speaking. It made Sabrina want to fill the silence, but she wo
rried that being too cavalier might make Domino think that she didn't want to be with her, but being upset might push Domino away.
It had been three weeks since they had started sleeping together and Sabrina still wasn't sure exactly where they stood. She hated that it mattered so much to her, but it did. She had wanted to play it casual, but nothing about what they had felt casual. Were they exclusive? Were they just friends? Well, friends who had sex? Friends with benefits?
Sabrina also hated that she worried about what Domino might think if she brought it up. She never questioned Domino's feelings for her except when she was trying to get a read on what was going on between them.
"The article was good, your tips were fantastic, the pictures make my house look awesome, and as far as the girlfriend remark... well, I don't love it," Domino said. She shifted in her seat.
"I can write to Greta and ask her to remove that line," Sabrina said, but her voice cracked, revealing her vulnerability after all.
Domino furrowed her brow. "I just don't see why people need to label it," she said, sitting back on the couch.
Sabrina resisted the urge to arch a brow. "People?" She asked.
"What?" Domino asked, turning her head toward Sabrina. She looked concerned and confused at the same time. "What's that mean?"
"I like you. I don't want to sleep with other people. I want to date you. Only you,” Sabrina said, her eyes widening as she confessed her feelings.
"I like you, too, Sab," Domino said, reaching to take Sabrina's hand. "Then what's the issue here?"
Sabrina steeled her nerves in an effort to get the worlds out. “What is this?" Sabrina asked as bluntly as she could. How could Domino be more intensely committed to dozens of pairs of black jeans than her?
The front door opened and Isla waltzed in, shopping bags in hand. "Hey guys," she said with a smile. "How are you two –– ooh, is that pie?"
Domino smiled at her. "There's some more in the kitchen if you'd like a slice." Sabrina had the feeling that Domino was grateful for the interruption.
Isla's eyes lit up. "Don't mind if I do," she said, setting down the bags and walking into the kitchen.
Domino turned back to Sabrina, her expression softening. "I like us just the way we are. Why complicate it?" She said in barely a whisper, then leaned forward and kissed the tip of Sabrina's nose.
But was that enough for Sabrina?
She chewed on her lower lip.
The wind had been taken out of her sails. "Do you want me to write to Greta, then?" She asked quietly, her shoulders slouching.
Domino crossed her arms over her chest casually. "If it bothers you, go for it," she said.
Sabrina wanted to strangle her into making some kind of decision. Her go-with-the-flow attitude was driving Sabrina crazy. "But does it bother you?" She asked.
"Well, yeah, but––" Domino began.
"Have you guys watched the new Hallmark Christmas movie that just came out?" Isla interrupted, holding a plate with a slice of pie on it. "I heard it has a real––"
She stopped in the doorway of the kitchen, and Sabrina saw that she was finally reading the tense mood of the room.
"Actually, just remembered I'm Skyping Mum tonight so I'll just be in my room," Isla said quickly, speed-walking down the hallway towards the bedrooms.
Sabrina shook her head. "Maybe it's because you've never been in a relationship before," Sabrina asked, remembering their very short lived talk on the beach early one morning.
"What was your longest relationship?" Domino asked.
"Two years," Sabrina said, surprised to realize they had never talked about it before.
"And why didn't it work out?" Domino continued.
"We were young and grew apart. She didn't respect my long-term goals. And quite frankly, my long-term goals didn't include her. I wanted things that she didn't want and vice versa," Sabrina explained, trying not to make it sound like the dramatic 22-year-old mess that it had been.
"But how does dating me fit in with your long-term goals?" Domino asked, raising a brow.
"Are you interviewing me for a job right now?" Sabrina asked, swallowing the lump that formed in her throat. She couldn't get a read on where Domino's head was at –– currently, it seemed to be all over the place. "I think we're compatible. What more is there?"
"What I'm trying to get at is, I like that you're driven. I’m also driven.” Domino said solemnly.
"You don't think our drives align?" Sabrina said, her voice squeaking in surprise. Her heart began to beat a bit faster in fear.
Domino took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "No, that's not what I mean. I just mean that I'm afraid that getting too serious right now will affect our careers. I don't understand how our future will look if we're officially dating, especially when I know that you want a book deal and a television feature and..." Her voice faded off.
Sabrina's hackles raised. "Wait, are you asking if I'm using you to jumpstart my career?"
"What? How did you get that out of what I was just asking?" Domino said, looking alarmed.
"You think that I'm dating you just to get a book deal and a television deal? That your stardom will somehow propel mine?" Sabrina asked, grimacing at the thought.
Domino shook her head. "This is going all wrong. I don't mean any of that. I'm honestly just asking how the hell we're both going to do what we want to do and still make time for each other," she said, looking exasperated.
"People do it all the time, Domino. You'd know that if you ever bothered to be with someone for more than a night," Sabrina bit out, and then instantly regretted saying it.
Domino looked as though she had been slapped across the face. "Wow." She stood up, her face completely expressionless. It was as though she was a robot who had suddenly turned off her emotions. “I may be wary of commitment, but at least I’m not trying to force whatever we have into one of your little, organized boxes,” Domino said, narrowing her eyes.
Sabrina blinked. She felt like she had whiplash from how the conversation was going. “Whatever we have?”
Domino cleared her throat. ”I'm going to go. Clearly we're both a bit wound up."
Sabrina was still furious, but seeing Domino shut down hurt even more than if Domino had said something cruel back to her.
"Wait, I'm sorry," Sabrina said, reaching for Domino's hand.
Domino's expression darkened. "We'll talk again when we're not upset," She grabbed her keys off of the table next to the door.
“When?" Sabrina asked.
“Awhile,” Domino bit out. She glanced over her shoulder, and then stepped through the door.
The door clicked shut behind her and Sabrina sank back into the couch, her face in her hands. She waited a few moments before she said, "I know you heard everything. You can come out if you'd like," she said.
"Holy shit," Isla said, walking into the room. She sat down on the couch next to Sabrina.
"Did I mess that up terribly? Like really fudged the whole relationship up?" Sabrina asked.
Isla squinted, as if she was thinking about it. "I don't know all of the details, but that definitely sounded like a mutual fudging to me."
She wrapped an arm around Sabrina and Sabrina folded into her shoulder, sniffling as she tried her best not to cry. "What am I going to do?"
"Well, I think there's only one thing to do, and that's give it a bit of time. And also eat ice cream. And watch that Hallmark movie with me while we both complain about the main characters making stupid choices to get your mind off things. So, I suppose, there's a few things for you to do," Isla said.
Sabrina nodded, sniffling again. "We have ice cream?" she asked, blinking back tears.
"I will get us ice cream," Isla announced, holding up a hand as though she was about to go slay a dragon. "And then we will eat it, watch sappy movies with good endings, and let both you and Domino decompress. Also, how about I get some wine?"
Sabrina hugged Isla until she gasped for breath. "Definitely wine.�
�
It turned out that giving Domino space and time to decompress was more terrifying than she bargained for. She kept picturing the hurt in Domino's eyes and her blank expression as she walked out the door. It had been two full days since that had happened, and Sabrina still hadn't heard from her.
She stared at the screen, willing Domino to text or call.
She had even had Isla send a test text to make sure her phone was receiving messages properly.
She sighed, tossing her phone on her bed as she organized her closet for the second time that day. She had just changed her sweaters to be separated by fabric, but maybe color was the better choice. Maybe appropriate temperature, then color? She'd better try all of the options, just to be sure.
Her phone rang and she dropped the pile of clothing she was holding as she ran to grab it. She hit the green button before she even glanced at the caller ID.
"Hello," she said quickly, her breath coming out in a rush.
"Hi, is this Sabrina Meloy?" A woman's voice said.
"Uh, yes, this is Sabrina speaking," Sabrina said, standing up straighter.
"Hi Sabrina, this is Angela. I'm a producer with The Morning Show. I apologize that I wasn't able to get in touch with your agent or manager, but I wasn't able to find a number," Angela said.
Yeah, because she didn't have an agent or manager. "Oh, how strange that you couldn't find Susannah's number," she said. Susannah? That was the name she was able to come up with? Susannah? "I'm okay with speaking on my own behalf, though."
"I just read your article on Decor's website and I'd love to have you on the show for an upcoming segment on New Year's organizational tips. I apologize for the last minute request: The women from The Home Edit fell through," Angela said.
"Yes," Sabrina said quickly. The Home Edit's loss, her win. "I mean, yes, I'm definitely interested. Please forward me the details and I'll have my agent get in touch with you."
"That's great. Just to clarify quickly, we'd need you out here in New York next week, would that work for you?" Angela said.
Sabrina paused for a moment, considering her Christmas plans. Without Domino, she had none. Isla was flying home for the holiday, and it wasn't as though she was in touch with her family. "Yes, I'd be available," she said.
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