Page 141 of Playbook
“I’m in a month-to-month place for now until I decide where I want to live.” She glances around the restaurant. “This place is cute.”
“It’s my sister’s and my favorite brunch place. They have the best lemonade mimosas,” I say as the server approaches our table.
“I’ll have that.” Sabrina smiles. “Thanks.” Her smile widens. “It’s so nice to meet you. Brogan has said such nice things.”
“About you too,” I tell her.
Sabrina agreed to do a DNA test and they confirmed she is his sister. Since then, they’ve been trying to get to know one another. He’s taken her to lunch and another time she invited him to dinner with some of her friends. I can tell how hopeful it all makes him feel to have found this family he didn’t know existed.
“So, Brogan tells me you’re opening a dance studio.” I’m so curious about his sister. I have my guard up, just in case, but so far, she hasn’t raised any red flags.
The way her eyes light up at the question even reminds me a little of him. She’s tall and graceful. Her features are softer, but she has that something about her that draws people in and makes them want to pay attention.
“Well, I’m trying, but you’d be amazed at how many building owners take one look at me and blow me off because they think I’m some young kid who’s going to flake on them.”
“I could help if you want,” Brogan offers.
Quiet falls over the table, and I hold my breath while I wait for her answer. I think he’s genuine in wanting to do whatever he can for her, but I hope that she doesn’t see him as only that.
“No, it’s okay,” she says with a shake of her head. “I don’t want to rent from someone who treats young women shitty anyway. And I have a lead on a place not too far from here.”
I let out a sigh of relief.
“What kind of dance studio? Ballet?”
“And tap, lyrical, modern, hip hop.”
“You’re a dancer, then?”
“I was, but I have pretty bad asthma, so I do more teaching than dancing these days. It’s fun and the kids are great.”
I fire more questions at her, and so does Brogan. By the time brunch is finished, she’s won me over. I’ll still destroy her if she hurts him though.
“I hate to eat and run, but I've gotta go,” she says. “I’m meeting a friend.”
She opens her wallet, and Brogan waves her off. “I got it.”
“No,” she insists. “Please. I hounded you for months, the least you can do is let me grab food and drinks.”
Brogan doesn’t seem happy about it, but he gives in with a nod.
She sets some cash in the middle of the table and stands. Brogan gets to his feet as well.
“Archer and I are having some people over next weekend. Will you come?” he asks her.
“Uhh…maybe. Your buddy doesn’t seem like my biggest fan.”
“Archer’s cool,” Brogan says.
“He called me a stripper.”
I cough as I take a drink of my mimosa. That doesn’t sound like Archer, but then again, maybe it does. He’s loyal and I know how much Brogan means to him.
“He was kidding.” Brogan grins sheepishly. “Come. Bring some friends if you want, and I can introduce you to some of my teammates. I’ll make sure they all know you are not a stripper.”
“Or don’t. I’ll show up and tell them I’m the entertainment.”
“I think I might have to beat up some teammates if you do that.”
