Page 24 of Master of My Heart

Martin obviously remembered her, but she wasn’t sure if it was a good or bad thing.

She sat down hard next to her bag and stared at the wooden floor. What would she do if she didn’t make the company? Maybe Martin could help find her a job. She could pretend she was the same girl as before, at least long enough to find a place to live. Then settle into a life of anonymity in a city she once loved. Anything would be better than going back to where she came from.

Sabrina sighed and hugged her legs to her chest, resting her chin on her knees. She’d stay here until the list was posted and then figure out what to do next. At least it was warm.

Soft footsteps caught her attention a few minutes later. She looked up to see Jayson walking into the room. “How’d it go?” He headed toward her and she stiffened.

“Not good,” she said in a low voice.

“Why do you say that?” he asked, crouching down in front of her.

She shrugged. Why would he care?

“Don’t give up ‘til you see the list.”

She sighed. She didn’t have the energy to argue, and besides, what was the point?

“How about some lunch? My treat.” He smiled warmly.

“No, thank you,” she said quickly. “You were very kind to give me something to eat earlier. I’m okay now.” She looked back at the floor, hoping he’d go away.

He didn’t. Instead, he sat down on the floor, stretched out his long legs, and crossed them at the ankles. Down the left leg of his navy-blue sweatpants, written in white block letters, were the words BOSTON BALLET.

“You’re a dancer?” she exclaimed, her mind reaching for something she’d read the previous day on the train.

He grinned and nodded. “I am. Is that okay?”

She nodded. “Are you Jayson... Reynolds?” She knew he looked familiar. She’d seen his picture in one of the dance magazines Mr. Baker had given her to read on the train. He was a principal dancer with the company.

He gave a cheerful laugh. “Guilty as charged.”

Sabrina frowned and studied him for a long minute. “What do you want?” she asked suspiciously.

His brows furrowed. “What do I want?” he repeated, then gave her a gentle smile. “You look like you could use a friend. I happen to be a nice, friendly guy and thought I might fit the bill.”

Why would he want to be her friend? Was he pretending so that he could just sleep with her? After all, that was all she was good for.

On the other hand, he did seem nice. He was a member of the ballet company, so he couldn’t be too bad, right? She supposed anything was possible, but didn’t recall ever hearing of a ballet dancer getting violent.

What was the worst thing that could happen? If he wasn’t a nice guy and he raped her, so what? She’d been through worse, and at least she’d have food in her stomach. If he killed her—if she could even be killed—then at least she’d be freed from this hell called life.

Sabrina looked up and saw Jayson watching her, a curious look on his face.

She’d known nice men before. Her dad was the kindest man she’d ever known. And Chase...

Somewhere deep inside she knew not everyone in the world was like Ramon or Khyan, but it had been so long since she’d been around nice people, she’d forgotten what it was like.

“Jayson?” A woman a couple of years older than Sabrina with long, straight blonde hair and bright blue eyes walked into the studio. “I’ve been looking all over for you. Martin wasn’t sure if you’d left or not. He thought I might be able to—” She stopped when she saw Sabrina and smiled. “Hi. You must be Sabrina.”

Sabrina glanced between her and Jayson, who waved the woman over. Was this his girlfriend? She said she knew Martin.

“Hey, Liz. Sabrina, this is my sister, Liz. Liz, this is Sabrina.”

“Oh!” For some reason, relief spread through Sabrina’s body. She wasn’t sure if it was because he had a sister, which made him seem safer, or if it was because she wasn’t his girlfriend. Why did it matter? It wasn’t as if someone like Jayson Reynolds would be interested in someone like her. At least for more than sex. “Hi,” she said softly.

Liz sat down on the floor next to Jayson. “Martin said you’ve had a rough couple days. Here.” She held out a small, foil-wrapped rectangle.

“What’s that?” Sabrina asked warily.

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