Page 55 of Rival Hearts

“Okay, a memory transplant. We agreed to pretend last night didn’t happen, right?”

“Uh,” he said, tugging me closer to his chest. “Those words never leftmylips.”

“What time is it?” I tried to remember what day it was. Yesterday had been Wednesday, a little over two weeks until the concert. So that meant today was Thursday. My eyes snapped open again. “Seriously, what time is it?” I sat up, looking around the room. Of course, there wasn’t a clock. Where had I put my phone?

He rolled away and grabbed his phone off the bedside table. “Ten.”

“Ten in the morning?”

“You were still drunk at ten last night.”

“Oh my God. I have to go. I should have opened the pharmacy two hours ago.” I scooted off the bed, tucking my hair behind my ears and scanning the floor for my phone. “I’m never late. I’m so late. I’ve lost my phone!”

“It’s downstairs on the table by the door.”

My shoulders loosened at the realization that at least he knew where I’d dropped all my things. Turning on my heel, I dashed down the stairs. I stepped into my heels, grabbed my keys, purse, and phone from the small table and hurried out the door. My phone was lit up with missed calls and texts from clients and Dad.

As soon as I was in my SUV, I closed my eyes and made the call I was dreading. “Dad?”

“Maggie! We’ve been so worried. Are you okay? Tyler went out looking for you.”

Heat flooded my cheeks. “I overslept.” I drove away from Grady’s house and headed toward my own place. I needed to change clothes before I showed up to work.

“Are you feeling okay? I came to the pharmacy to open up while Tyler and your mother tried to track you down.”

Would Tyler know I’d spent the night at Grady’s place? He hadn’t knocked on his door, but my vehicle was in his driveway. How many other people would have noticed my SUV there all night? I tried to quiet the panic threatening to carve out a hole in my chest. So embarrassing. Grady would get backslaps and high fives. People would think he’d charmed me right out of my underwear.

Not long ago, Sabrina’s car was the one in his driveway.

Foolish. I was a fool. We were locked in a mayoral race. What had I been thinking?

“I’m fine, Dad. I just overslept. I’ll be there as soon as I’m dressed. Thank you for opening for me.” I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry I worried you all.”

“Glad you’re okay. I’ll see you when you get here. Love you, kiddo.”

I had blushed at least a thousand times as I’d taken over the store from Dad. He hadn’t asked too many questions when it became obvious the answers were going to be personal and embarrassing.

After lunch, the bell rang, drawing me away from my latest prescription refill. Sabrina stood in the doorway with a fuchsia skirt barely covering her ass and heels which looked better suited to a catwalk instead of a sidewalk. She tugged on the hem of her skirt before teetering over to the low counter.

Didn’t Sabrina and I have an unspoken agreement that we didn’t interact? Sabrina didn’t use my pharmacy, probably going to one of the big-box stores on the outskirts of town, and I didn’t get my nails done at Sabrina’s shop, preferring one of the more upscale spas. Curious, and more than a little annoying, to have her here.

She passed me a prescription in silence. I didn’t look at the paper but took in Sabrina’s tiny smirk.

“When do you need this?” I asked. “Are you coming back later to get it?” Best case scenario, Sabrina would leave and perhaps come back on a day when Dad was here. Some game was being played, and I didn’t understand the rules.

“The doctor said the sooner I take it, the more effective it’ll be.” She shrugged. “Whatever that means.”

Reluctantly, I glanced down at the prescription. The Plan B pill. The emergency contraceptive was meant to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. My stomach rolled, but I hoped my expression remained neutral. Unprotected sex with who?

“Of course. Just a moment.” I circled around the low counter to the taller one, turning my back on Sabrina. My hands shookas I doled out the prescription and printed off the information sheet. Stepping back down to the lower counter, I set the bag between us.

“Have you used this medication before?”

She shook her head. “I’ve always been with men who wanted kids.” The hint of a smile played on her lips. “That’s why I’ve got three.”

I wanted to say,Always, Sabrina? You’re telling me you’ve only slept with three men?Like so many things about Sabrina, her comment made no sense. But I refused to ask. Whether the guy was Grady or not, I didn’t need to know. Gossip wasn’t part of my job.

“Right, well.” I turned the information sheet toward Sabrina and took her through all the important pieces. Each time I glanced at her, Sabrina wasn’t looking at the sheet, she was studying me. “Do you have any questions?”

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