Page 83 of Reckless Temptation

Instead of only being with Sabrina, I spent time checking out the repairs that John Rosario was managing. After a while, it became easier and easier to talk to him about my dad. It started as mentioning my dad was my scout leader and that we’d done some carpentry projects when I was younger. With his genuine interest and listening ear, he got me to expand and talk about how my dad was an engineer and I was supposed to follow that focus as well.

I could see where Sabrina got her goodness from. John was a great, kind guy, hearing me out. He and Melody were the reasons Sabrina was likely so open to listening to others.

And the chance to talk to him soothed my soul. It was way too soon to assume Sabrina’s father could act like a father figure for me, but to start with, I was confident that he would be a good friend.

We got along so well that I spent most of Sunday working with him. It began as a discussion about what could be wrong with his pipe repairs, and by the end of the night, we were both filthy and sweaty from successfully finishing a couple of tricky window installations. Sabrina hadn’t minded. She was in her zone, studying and working on a paper due tomorrow. That was how tenacious she was about her schoolwork, unfazed by the drama to stay committed and focused.

Come Monday morning, though, we got up early to have breakfast with her parents before heading out.

With how close we were to the end of the semester, I didn’t have too much to worry about. That wasn’t true for Sabrina, though, with exams nearing. It was mutually decided that I’d have a place here, with her, and would pitch in to help John with the home repairs. He hadn’t protested too much when I offered the arrangement, and I was glad I could contribute to the Rosarios’ fortunes. It was a purpose. It was a challenge, something to preoccupy me.

And when Melody passed me in the kitchen after John left for work and Sabrina ran up to her apartment to get her bag, she smiled at me.

“Thank you, Nick.”

“For what?” I asked.

“For offering to help John.” She beamed at me. “He wanted to ask youto stay here and help him, but he didn’t want to be too forward.”

“Oh.”

She patted my shoulder. “He’s been looking forward to having a son-in-law someday…”

I could only smile back at her, unafraid and not at all intimidated. “Do you seriously think Sabrina would consider any discussion about marriage before she’s done with law school?”

She cracked up. “No! You do know her well.”

And I knew myself well, too. The day she graduated, I’d be ready with a ring.

Leaving early so we’d have time to talk to my mom before classes would start, I smiled at the feeling of Sabrina’s arms wrapped around my waist as I brought her back to the mansion.

I wasn’t bothered to see this huge-ass mansion. Now that I had found my “home” with Sabrina, I didn’t have to cringe with the distaste of trying to view this place as my home.

I belonged somewhere.

I belongedwithsomeone.

And I never could have imagined how transformative that realization could be.

I held Sabrina’s hand and walked up the front steps like a whole new man. I led her inside the mansion knowing I had turned a leaf. Iwasmoving on, at last, and I knew deep down in my heart, with my soul, and in the back of my mind that if my dad were here, he’d be damned proud of me now.

“Oh, there he is.”

Sabrina stopped short as we walked in the hall. I didn’t let go of her hand at my mom’s voice. Turning, I spotted my mom and George sitting at the island in the kitchen.

Holding hands.

Smiling.

At ease.

Bringing Sabrina into the room, I wondered if Tiffany would show up as well.

“And Sabrina,” George said. “Welcome.”

I didn’t miss how his gaze dropped to our joined hands. “This is a development.”

Sabrina smiled, taking it in stride. “It is, sir.”

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