Carla practically vibrates in her chair. “This is going to be good.”
“Grrr…I’ll make you a deal. You,” I point to Sabrina, “tell me what’s going on between you and Lucien, and I’ll tell you what’s going on with Ruben.” I smile.
I’ve seen Sabrina and I know damn well that she has it bad for Lucien, and he’s just the same. I’ve tried to push him, but he won’t budge because he thinks he isn’t worthy. He makes me want to wrap him in my arms and hold him tight. Of course, if I did I don’t think he’d appreciate it. I really hope my new friend manages to get through the wall he’s wrapped around himself for protection after the accident that caused his burns.
“There isn’t anything to tell about Lucien.”
“Hmm.”
“What does ‘hmm’ mean?” Sabrina rests her chin in her hands on the table and watches me.
“Rosie’s ‘hmm’ probably means the same as my ‘hmm’ from yesterday. And don’t think I didn’t notice the quick escape you made from Lily’s house the other day just after she asked you the same question about Lucien,” Carla says laying her hand on Sabrina’s arm in quiet sympathy because it’s obvious that Sabrina is hiding her true feelings, probably in fear of rejection.
“You like him more than you would a friend so while it’s just us, and no Pippa trying to marry off her sons, talk to us. Why won’t you go after him? You’d make a lovely couple,” I ask, really interested in why she’s holding back.
Sabrina sighs. “I don’t think he likes me much, and he spends far too much time with Lily.” Now she looks sad.
“You know there’s never been anything between him and Lily, right? I really do believe he thinks of her as a sister,” Carla says with a frown marring her brow.
There is no way he’s hung up on Lily. Is there? I’ve seen him with her a few times and they always act like siblings, plus I’ve seen Lucien moping around Kenza. I’ve sure gotten his attention a couple of times when I’ve mentioned Sabrina.
“Enough about my miserable life, what about Ruben?” she asks trying to divert the conversation back to me.
With a loud sigh, I look out at the snow-capped mountains as I try to collect my thoughts. Finally, I say, “I like him and thought that he really liked me, but then I caught him leaving Kenza with another woman. I overheard him saying he’d follow her back to her hotel.” I nervously start to wrap my hair around my finger. “So I don’t think he can be all that into me, you know?” I can’t keep the sadness out of my voice.
“Join the club. We need to have a night out and meet two different guys to take our minds from the mess of our current love life or rather lack of. What do you say? Want to go out with me sometime—get drunk—and have a night of meaningless sex? Carla can come to make sure we don’t go off with an axe murderer or something.”
Carla chuckles. “That sounds good, but you can bet Sebastian will follow me. He always needs me close, which I thought would get old real soon, you know? But I miss him when he’s elsewhere. I guess that’s love for you.”
“That’s sweet,” I say wanting with Ruben what Carla has with Sebastian, but I know it’s not going to happen. I’m also not sure about the night of meaningless sex and I really don’t believe Sabrina is like that either, but I’ll agree for now. “Sounds good. I’m not free for the next couple of weeks, but I’m then due a few days off in a row, which would be good.”
“Then it’s a date. I’m so glad we bumped into you,” she says gathering her packages, “but I better go. I have a hair appointment that I’m about to be late for.”
“Okay, I’ll be in touch. Oh, wait I don’t have your number.”
Sabrina grabs her phone, snaps a picture of me and then waits for me to give her my number, which I do. “I’ll message you so you have my number.”
Damn she’s quick. No sooner had she said that my phone is pinging with a message, and Sabrina has left. I feel like a tornado just hit me.
“You get used to her,” Carla laughs when she sees my stunned expression. “She’s not as reserved as she was when she first arrived or even as she was a few months ago. It’s as though she’s gone through a makeover or something. It’s good and drives Lucien nuts when it’s Sunday dinner and she’s present. He tries to avoid looking at her, but his eyes always find her…A bit like you and Ruben really.” She grins.
I’m not touching that one about Ruben and me, but I smile wondering what’s going to happen between the two of them. I really hope Lucien sees sense, and perhaps Sabrina will be the one to help him.
Chapter 17 ~ Ruben