Page 72 of Chance of Romance
Chapter Sixteen
The only bright spot in Sabrina’s life was an exuberant call from her literary agent a few days later. Her book had sold to a publisher for mid-six figures. At least she felt more confident that her practice would thrive again once the book came out. Of course, that was more than a year away, and her earlier enthusiasm for writing it had dimmed considerably. How could she be enthusiastic about committed relationships when her own relationship was such a disaster? She hadn’t heard from Logan and hadn’t seen him at the office either. Not because she was avoiding him. She figured he was done with her, tired of dealing with someone who sucked at relationships. But what was she supposed to do when so much was still up in the air? How could she move forward with Logan not knowing which direction his life was heading?
The day after her big book news, Thursday, she headed out for Lexi’s appointment at psycho Tara’s office. Sabrina had it all planned out what she was going to say. She was sure they could talk this through. They shared a common goal, helping couples stay together in committed relationships. She’d emphasize that her own book deal could never eclipse the great accomplishment of Tara’s wonderful book, which was well researched and well written. Sabrina had read it in preparation for this meeting. And, most importantly, there were plenty of clients to go around, especially in this high-population part of Connecticut. Plus, Tara had a second office in the city teeming with troubled couples.
Sabrina showed up at Tara’s office five minutes before the allotted time and took a seat in the empty waiting room. She was still in her work clothes, a pale pink silk blouse with black pants and heels. She figured her outfit would help project a professional image and keep their conversation on a professional level. She silently rehearsed her speech and then checked the time on her phone. Any minute now. She’d just clicked record on her phone when the waiting room door opened and Logan strode in.
She gasped. He looked like six feet of powerfully determined man heading straight for her. For a brief heart-pounding moment, she thought he might scoop her up, toss her over his shoulder, and take her back to his bed like a sexy caveman. Instead, he took the seat next to her without a word. She breathed in his familiar fresh masculine scent, all of her longing to touch him again. He was in his usual work clothes—long-sleeved black shirt, worn jeans, and sneakers. Her mind immediately flashed to the finely formed muscles of his shoulders and arms, his chest…and more. She shifted her gaze up, surprised at herself. Maybe after all they’d done, she’d never be able to see him again without remembering how he looked underneath it all.
She studied his handsome profile, his short light brown hair, his nose that tilted up at the end, his sexy lips, his neatly trimmed beard. For a moment she forgot why they weren’t together. Then he met her eyes, his expression serious, and it all came flooding back. That was exactly how he’d looked when he broke the baby news to her.
“What’re you doing here?” she whispered. She’d told him she wanted to do this alone.
His voice was low and deep. “I wanted to be here for you. Lexi gave me the time and place.”
She ground her teeth.Lexi, you will pay.
She kept her voice low. “Get out. I’m supposed to be here for an individual appointment.”
He whispered directly in her ear, “You don’t know what this woman is capable of. She’s been manipulative, vindictive, and threatening you.”
She shoved his shoulder, but he didn’t budge. “Go.”
“I really do think we need relationship counseling,” he said without a trace of humor.
“Well, we’re not getting it here!”
The door to Tara’s office opened. There she was, looking just like her picture, her blond hair styled in a layered cut, her angular face hard and thin. Her blue eyes shot fire. “You!” she spat, narrowing her eyes at Sabrina. “I saw your book just got a bigger advance than mine did. Don’t eventryto tell me you’re not trying to squeeze me out.”
Logan stood. “Hey, let’s all just stay calm.”
Sabrina put a hand up to Logan and walked over to Tara. The woman radiated pure venom, her blue eyes icy with rage. “Tara, I came here today to reach out to you, counselor to counselor. We both share a common goal of helping couples keep their commitment, and there’s no shortage—”
“I’m the Commitment Counselor!” Tara slashed her hand through the air. “That’s my thing. I trademarked it. You stole it. That’s all you’ve been doing these past several weeks, siphoning off my hard work. Do you know how difficult it was to get where I am today? Now I look like a has-been, and you’re the next pretty young thing.”
“I’m sure you know it has nothing to do with appearances. Our work depends on our qualifications, our client satisfaction—”
“Oh, shut up. You’re an idiot if you believe that.”
Logan appeared at Sabrina’s side. “Don’t talk to her that way.”
Tara’s lip curled. “Well, if it isn’t the fake husband with a pregnant ex. Thanks for making it so damn easy for me. I only had to pay one guy to get the ball rolling, and you two took it from there.”
Sabrina jumped on that. “So you admit to paying someone to write negative stories about me.”
Tara smiled, a wide evil smile. “Only a few, you did the rest just by being your stupid self.”
Sabrina’s temper broke her calm composure. “And you stole my clients! Offering them fifty percent off. I lost half of them to you! That’s a serious loss of income.”
Tara pursed her lips. “I’m sure your book deal will make up for that.”
Sabrina scowled. “My clients are everything to me.”
“Your clients are idiots,” Tara scoffed. “I got them in here so easy, did one session, and told them they were cured. They left here thinking you’d been stringing them along for months for no reason. Except money, of course. Word spreads quickly. Have you checked your reviews online?”
Sabrina saw red, her hands in fists. “You bitch!”
Tara got in her face. “Ooh, you’re mad now. Go ahead and hit me. This’ll be the last nail in your coffin.”
