Page 53 of Master of My Heart

“No.”

“We met when I was here before.” Sabrina told Liz about her time in Boston and about meeting Chase. “Things didn’t quite work out the way we planned.”

“Wow,” Liz said softly. “Did you come back here to find him?”

She didn’t answer right away. “I suppose that’s part of the reason I came here,” she said slowly. “But then I realized that... that things had changed, so I decided to focus on dancing and forget him.”

“How could you forget Chase?” Liz asked with a giggle.

Sabrina smiled, then sighed. “It’s better that way.”

“I don’t see him a whole lot, but I know he doesn’t go out with women often.”

Sabrina frowned. “Isn’t he still in the army?”

Liz shook her head. “No. He got badly injured about a year and a half ago and had to leave.”

A vision flashed before Sabrina’s eyes—a hot, dry desert and an attack... falling buildings... Chase lying on the ground.

I remember...

“He’s okay?”

“Yeah.” Liz nodded. “Started some sort of security firm about six months ago. He’s been traveling a lot since.” She gave Sabrina a shy smile. “I had such a crush on him when I was younger, but he always treated me like a little sister.”

“How long have he and Jayson been friends?”

Liz looked thoughtful for a long moment. “Well, they met when they were kids. Chase and his family moved back and forth from here a couple times before finally settling back in Boston after his dad died. I think they really became friends after that. I remember going to his house after they moved back the last time. They all looked so sad, but Chase... He stood tall and straight next to his mom, his hand on her shoulder. He looked like a soldier, even back then.” Liz looked at Sabrina. “He was only thirteen, but I could see the determination on his face. He looked like he dared anyone to say anything bad about his dad and hurt his mom. Found out later his mom’s parents had bashed her and his dad before they moved back here, saying how she deserved what she got for marrying Craig. It was horrible.” Liz wiped her eyes. Sabrina found her own eyes filling with tears. “Chase is a special guy.”

Sabrina stared at the sidewalk as they continued walking. She knew that already.

“You don’t think of using the word ‘upstanding’ a lot, but it’s such a good word to describe Chase. He’s always tried to do the right thing, always tried to be honorable and good. He didn’t even date that much in high school. He went to dances and stuff, but as far as I know, he never messed around with any girls.”

“What do you mean?” Was she talking about sex? He didn’t sleep around?

Liz laughed. “My brother was a player in high school. Went out with as many girls as he could. Chase...” She shook her head. “He always had dates for all the dances, he was Homecoming King, captain of the football and basketball teams, but he didn’t leave a string of broken hearts behind him. Honestly, I don’t even think he slept with anyone in high school. There were never any rumors flying around about him like that. Who knows what he did at West Point, though.”

Sabrina swallowed. He really was the good guy she believed he was. Now he definitely wouldn’t want anything to do with her.

They were silent for a while.

“I remember Chase and Jay talking about some girl Chase had met,” Liz said as they walked up the stairs to their building. She paused at the door and turned to Sabrina. “That she’d somehow disappeared and Chase couldn’t find her. That’s you, isn’t it?”

Sabrina shrugged. “Maybe.”

Liz grinned and hugged her. “He’ll be so happy to see you! I wonder if Jayson told him you were here.”

“He said something about leaving messages...”

“He’s usually gone for a couple weeks at a time, and he left a couple weeks ago. I’m sure he’ll be home soon. Then you guys can get back together!”

Sabrina shook her head. “I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

“Why not?” She looked bewildered.

Sabrina shrugged. “I just... I don’t think he’ll be as interested in me as he was. I’m not the same person.”

Liz stopped and took her hand. “I know I don’t know everything that happened to you, but I do know that Chase is a really amazing guy. Don’t sell yourself short. You’re a sweet girl. I think he’ll be thrilled to see you again.”

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