Jennifer McKenzie - This Just In...

She cocked her head. “Oh, really?”

“Yes.” He didn’t; he just tried to help out. Not the same thing at all.

Sabrina nodded, but didn’t look like she believed him. “I know it isn’t the dinner I owe you, but how about some coffee to say thanks for helping with the dirty work?”

Noah glanced down at his pants which were streaked with dirt. He’d have to spray and presoak them before washing. He looked back at Sabrina. She shook something deep inside of him. A part of himself that he kept carefully caged. He glanced over at the sun, dipping below the horizon. A secretive time, when people acted out of character and blamed it on the night. “It’s late.”

“Right.” But her face fell and dragged his stomach with it.

“It’s late for coffee,” he heard himself say. “I’ve got an early start tomorrow. If I drink coffee now, I’ll be up all night.”

Sabrina’s face brightened and Noah felt his stomach do a slow somersault. “Something else, then?”

He should say no. He balanced the broom against the railing. They could part now and go to their respective homes feeling good about the interaction. Just a couple of neighbors. But he didn’t want to say no. “Sounds great.”

He tried not to watch her go, those boots flashing, hips wiggling, but failed. And when she came back with two water glasses and handed one to him, their fingers brushing, he felt a flash of heat that had nothing to do with the hot day crest through him.

Her throat bobbed as she took a long sip. Noah blinked and reminded himself that licking her neck would not be considered appropriate mayoral behavior. He thought about doing it anyway.

She sat down and leaned back, resting on her elbows. The movement outlined the lace bra she wore. There was a streak of dirt on her shoulder. He knew his own clothes hadn’t fared any better. But he didn’t care. His fingers pressed harder against the cold glass.

“How are Marissa and Kyle?”

Noah blinked. He was thinking about peeling her out of her clothes and she wanted to talk about his family? “They’re fine.”

She nodded. “I haven’t seen them. I guess they’re avoiding me.”

Noah swallowed some more water and tried to bring his mind around to the conversation they were having, not the one he wanted to have, which involved climbing out of their clothes. “Does that bother you?”

Sabrina swiveled to look up at him. “Yes.” Her eyes, normally so bright and cheerful, looked sad. “I’d hoped, well, it doesn’t matter what I’d hoped.” She played with the end of her scarf. “Did Marissa ever tell you that I tried to apologize?”

It took a second for the words to sink in to Noah’s heat-soaked brain. “You did?” His dear sister-in-law had never mentioned that. But then, to be fair, the topic had been a sensitive one for Marissa, who had felt more judgment over the unplanned pregnancy than Kyle.

Sabrina nodded, her fingers twirling the scarf around and around. “I called right after she had the baby, but she wouldn’t talk to me.”

Noah considered that little nugget of information. Marissa had always given him the impression that, after the interview, she’d never heard from Sabrina again.

“I sent a gift and a letter.” Sabrina smiled to herself. “I guess I thought it might prove to her that I was sorry. As if a fuzzy white stuffed animal could make up for what I wrote.”

“A toy dog,” Noah said. He knew that dog. It had been Paul’s favorite as a baby, and though the doll was now gray with age, it still held a place of honor on his bed.

Sabrina’s eyes widened. “Yes. So she did get it. I was never sure.”

Noah nodded slowly. “It was a difficult time for them.” New parents, newlyweds. A hard time for anyone.

Sabrina traced her finger along the rim of her glass. “I keep hoping I’ll see her, so I can tell her I’m sorry.” She put her glass down on the steps and turned toward him.

A tingle worked its way up his spine. The sun dropped farther, leaving them in a silent twilight. His eyes followed the curve of her cheek, the dark shadow of her lashes as she peeked up at him. No one else would be making an appearance here tonight. No one could see them from the road or the yard.

For all intents and purposes, they were alone. Completely alone.

“I still miss her.” Sabrina’s voice was low, intimate. “We were best friends. I thought we’d be friends forever. And then I wrote that snotty article.” She looked down at her lap. “There are times I wonder if I did the wrong thing. If I’m a bad person.”

The tremor in her voice dove right into Noah’s heart and stayed there. “You’re not a bad person.” He sank down on the step beside her, tangled his fingers with hers and squeezed.

“Your sister-in-law would disagree.”

“She doesn’t know everything.”

“Don’t tell her that.”

He laughed and put his glass down. He didn’t want to talk about Marissa anymore. He didn’t want to talk at all. He tugged on Sabrina’s hand, drawing her closer to him. First their shoulders touched, then their hips, then her legs pressed against the length of his. Her face tilted up, glowing in the soft evening light.

“Mr. Mayor.” Her breath tickled his lips as he bent closer. “Are you going to kiss me?”

Noah stopped. Had he read the entire situation wrong? Was she just looking for a neighborly visit where they sat on the porch and talked about the day’s problems? The tips of his ears burned and his chest tightened. “I was.”

“Then what are you waiting for?”

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