Page 180 of Master of My Life

yourselves.”

Malcolm Camara, the handsome black man Sabrina had met at her first Gathering, appeared and

asked her to dance. He and Richard shook hands and Malcolm smiled as he pulled her into his arms.

“Hello, Sabrina.”

Sabrina found herself swept around the room song after song as one man after another asked her to

dance. They were all respectful, all kind, and all charming. After a dozen dances, she excused herself

to find Chase and to get something to drink.

She headed back to the table, but Chase wasn’t there. She looked around and saw him near the bar

talking to a tall, thin woman with dark hair. Sabrina frowned and walked over to where Kathy stood

chatting with the Mayor’s wife, Francesca. “Who is that?”

“Who is who?”

“The woman Chase is talking to by the bar.”

Kathy squinted and then her eyebrows shot up. “Is that Sydney?”

“Who’s Sydney?”

Kathy gave her a reassuring smile. “A friend of Chase’s from West Point. Harmless.”

Sabrina tilted her head and watched how Sydney put her hand on Chase’s arm. “They’ve slept

together.”

“Oh?”

Sabrina frowned at Kathy. “You knew.”

“Yes. They were on the same level leadership-wise at school and, as I understand it, good

friends.”

“She wants him.”

Kathy laughed. “Chase is a handsome man. Many women want him. It doesn’t mean he wants her.”

Chase laughed and moved his arm away from Sydney. He took a step away but continued chatting

easily. “See?”

Sabrina didn’t like the feeling in her chest.

“So, what brings you to Boston?” Chase asked, taking a step away from Sydney to keep her from

touching him again. She was touchy tonight, a trait she’d picked up after school.

Sydney gave a light laugh and waved her hand in the air. “Oh, you know. Business.”

“Last I heard, you’d left the army.”

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