Destiny and a Bottle of Merlot (3 page)

Even though Karen had six years on Mario, he caught her attention the minute she met him. The fact that Mario was Vic’s brother was nice, but he had something special all his own. He intrigued her, and she found herself imagining sexy scenarios about him often. Working with Mario and Max would keep him in her sights.

Karen stood on her tiptoes, trying to put a box on the top shelf of the storage closet. She couldn’t quite manage, so Mario hurried to her aid. He reached above Karen’s head and steadied the box. He was so close, the fresh scent of her hair filled his nostrils. As Karen extended her arms, Mario noticed the definition in her biceps and shoulders. She was extremely fit. Keeping their relationship on a professional level might be tough. Mario wasn’t sure he wanted to anyway. He’d have plenty of time to figure that out later.

Max called Vic during his lunch break. “Hi babe, just wanted to say I love you and can’t wait to see you tonight. I’ll give you a call when I get home. Bye.” He figured he’d get Vic’s voicemail. It was after lunch and Vic was back at work perming Mrs. Anderson’s blue-gray hair, and listening to the latest local gossip.

Everyone was back at work, including Sasha, who was organizing the master suite. Tina gave Sasha several sets of twin sheets to use for the bed. There was no reason for Sasha to buy sheets since the bed was a loaner anyway. With a snap and a toss, the flat sheet draped perfectly across the small bed in the huge bedroom. Sasha smiled. Her transformation into a domestic goddess suited her just fine. Images of colors and decor for the rooms swam through her mind non-stop. She wrote everything down so she wouldn’t lose the idea. She bought a beautiful patchwork quilt last month when they went to Beacon after visiting Max in the hospital. The quilt went on the bed last, then several decorative throw pillows were set in place. Sasha stood back, hands on her hips, and took a look. Whimsy and magical was the image she had in mind. It was perfect. She placed several hooked rugs across the maple floor. The largest and prettiest one she laid alongside the bed. Feeling the softness of it under her feet every morning would make her smile. Sasha moved on to the master bath. It still needed some updating, but for now it suited her fine. New, luxurious, ice blue bath sheets, pretty soaps and matching bath accessories helped create a beautiful room, complete with the original claw foot tub.

The Victorian was a huge project to take on, especially when Sasha was going to do most of the decorating herself, but it gave her peace and purpose. She felt one with the house. She was the steward of this magnificent mansion and she would do right by her. It might take a year before the Victorian would be back to her original beauty. Every floor refinished, every wall painted, and every piece of furniture set in place, would make the Victorian the masterpiece she deserved to be. Sasha stepped out onto the balcony. She tried to picture the type of furniture that would suit this space the best. Whatever she bought would be exposed to the weather. She wondered if she should have had a roof built, shading the balcony. But Sasha loved the sun. She didn’t want to block the glistening rainbows it created when the rays bounced off the crystals hanging from the chandelier in the bedroom.
Home Depot might have some resin, Victorian style, patio furniture. It may be slim pickings since summer is over, or I might find what I want at a discounted price.
Sasha bounded down the stairs, sliding her hand along the glossy handrail as she descended. The red Tundra waited in the driveway. She laughed at how independent she had become over the last five months. She threw the truck into reverse, backed out onto the street and took off. Home Depot was expecting her.

Sasha found the patio set she wanted, but it was the floor display in a pukey, army green color.
I bet that’s why it’s still for sale.
Since it’s resin, I can paint it whatever color I want. Yep, I’m going to take it.
She stopped in the paint aisle and grabbed five cans of peach colored outdoor spray paint. It was a cinch for Sasha to get the help she wanted, anytime, anywhere. A coquettish smile, and ten men would be at her beck and call in a New York minute. Two sales associates helped her load the furniture in the back of the truck and tie it down. She was off, heading back toward the Victorian. Spray painting the furniture in the backyard would be a breeze since it was a bright, sunshine filled day. It would only take an hour or so to dry, then she’d carry everything upstairs to the balcony. Each piece of furniture was lined up on the lawn side by side, with a drop cloth underneath. There were four chairs and a small, oval table. Sasha went in the house and grabbed one of the card table chairs to sit on. A mug of cocoa and her cell phone waited with her for the paint to dry. The top of the table and the fronts of the chairs were done, and now she sat back and relaxed. She couldn’t paint the undersides until the furniture was dry enough to flip over. She loved the sun’s warm blanket of heat that cloaked her body in the sheltered backyard. It felt heavenly and everything about her new life was perfect. Sasha had a group of true friends, not the catty, fake models she used to hang out with. Soon she would have the most beautiful home in Tarrytown.

Her head bobbed a few times as she began to doze off. The cell phone ringing in her lap startled her, causing it to fall to the ground. Sasha was half asleep and totally discombobulated. Her hand reached in the void where the phone sat seconds earlier. It continued to ring beneath her on the grass. She found it and said hello. Her voice was barely audible.
Damn dry mouth. I must have been sleeping with it open again.
She cleared her throat and tried once more. “Hello?” Sasha reached for the now tepid cocoa and took a sip.

“Hey, gorgeous, it’s Jack. How’s my girl?”

Sasha’s mouth went dry again and her voice didn’t work. A call from Jack never crossed her mind. Now that he had, she was terrified. She sat upright, and her body stiffened.

“Sasha, babe, are you there?”

“Um…” She cleared her throat again. “Jack, what do you want? We haven’t spoken in months.”

“That’s right, and I miss you. I see you’re doing some local modeling in Tarrytown. Is that where you live now?”

“What? Why would you think that?”

“Well, babe, it’s like this. I’m living in White Plains temporarily. You might have heard something about me doing community service there. Anyway I’m working in the city at Saks as a buyer in the men’s department. I’ve been reduced to that because of you bitches. Now, I’ll have to climb the corporate ladder for years to get where I was at Plan-It-Kidz. I’ve gone to your apartment plenty of times looking for you. Funny thing is, one day I saw people moving in. Imagine my surprise. I struck up a conversation with the nice couple. What’s their name again? The Taylor’s? Yeah… that’s right.”

Sasha’s hand was shaking so hard she almost dropped the mug.

“Anyway, babe, they couldn’t remember where you moved, but they did recall you saying you took the train in for the closing. Here’s the kicker. I get the
White Plains Daily News
and I’ll be damned if I didn’t see your picture in the ads for Hair Brained, of all places. So you’re the face of Vic and Tina’s salon, huh? Yeah… I know both of them, pretty damn well. I was curious Sasha, so I took a little trip back to Tarrytown, and sure as hell, there was your face plastered all over the windows of Hair Brained. Nice look, hon. You’re as smokin’ hot as ever. You miss me, don’t you? Remember all the things I used to do to you? I bet you’re getting wet just thinking about me, aren’t you, Sasha?” Jack snickered into the phone.

“Jack, please… I don’t want any trouble. I don’t live in Tarrytown. It was just a modeling gig.”

“Yeah… I find that hard to believe. You were at my promotion party and you walked off the stage with my two ex-wives. You know those bitches pretty well from the looks of things. It can’t be a coincidence that Mia is best friends with Vic and Tina, and now you’re modeling for them? C’mon Sasha, cut the crap and stop screwing with me. I want to see you up close and personal.”

“That’s not possible. It’s over between us and has been for months. I’ve moved on. I’m not interested in you anymore.”

“I’ll tell you when you can move on. We were together too long for you to walk away from me like that. You helped those bitches humiliate me in front of everyone at my party. I was going places at Plan-It-Kidz and you three ruined everything. We need to meet so I can talk to you in person.”

“I don’t think so. I’m hanging up, and I don’t want to hear from you again.” Sasha hit the ‘end call’ button on her phone and dropped it to the ground. She leaned forward in the chair with her head in her hands and sobbed. Wracked with fear and anxiety, she didn’t have the slightest idea what to do.

The 1969 Z28 Camaro roared down the street toward Aaron’s house on Oak Terrace Lane. Reggie’s head hung out the window, giving him a wind-blown look.

“You’re a pretty hot dog, Reg,” Mia said, laughing as he chomped at the air.

Any time Mia planned to spend the night with Aaron, Reggie tagged along. He needed that last walk of the night before he hunkered down to sleep. The routine repeated itself every time. Mia and Aaron usually walked him together in the evening, as Mia stretched her neck to peer in the windows of every beautiful home they passed. Aaron got a kick out of her oohs and aahs when she’d see an antique piece of furniture or a Tiffany styled lamp on a side table.

“You’re a Peeping Tom, Mia.”

“I am not. I’m only looking because they haven’t closed their drapes yet. It’s perfectly legal to look toward a house as we pass by on the sidewalk.”

“Yeah, but you stop on the sidewalk and start a commentary on everything you see inside.” Aaron joked with her, but he actually loved the quirky behavior Mia displayed from time to time. She was very animated with her opinion of the way people decorated their homes. Nobody could ever compete with the wonderfully, exquisite taste Aaron had for decorating. The antiques were mostly original to his home, making them even more precious and meaningful. Aaron’s house was the prettiest, and decorated the nicest, in Mia’s opinion.

A relaxing evening was in store for them. Dinner, drinks and a night cuddling on the couch watching TV would be the perfect way to end the day.

Mia rounded the corner with Aaron’s house in sight. He wasn’t home yet, but she would start preparing the salad. Her cell phone sang out “It’s my Life,” by Bon Jovi. She usually listened for a few seconds before answering. It was a song that empowered her, and gave her a voice.

“Hey, Sasha,” she said, still tapping the steering wheel and humming the song in her head.

“Mia, I’m going crazy. Jack called.” Sasha was on the verge of hysteria, and crying into the phone. “I need you!”

“Hon, get in your truck and come to Aaron’s house right now. I’m just pulling into the driveway. Out.”

Sasha grabbed her purse and keys, then ran through the house making sure all doors and windows were locked. She threw a glass of water on the glowing embers in the fireplace, tucked a bottle of Merlot under her arm, and took off out the front door. It was just a few blocks to Aaron’s house from the Victorian. Mia was barely in the front door when the Tundra pulled up to the curb. Mia heard the squeal of the tires and looked back before stepping inside. She took off Reggie’s leash and herded him in. Sasha already reached the porch. It was obvious how distraught she was, just by looking at her face. Her eyes were swollen and bloodshot from crying.

“Sit down and tell me what happened.” Mia pulled the wicker chairs together on the porch and sat next to Sasha. “Honey, you’re shaking.”

“Mia, can we have a glass of wine first? I need to calm down.”

“Stay put. I’ll get the glasses and corkscrew. I’ll be right back.”

A million thoughts passed through Sasha’s mind as she waited for Mia to return.
Is Jack going to stalk me and try to ruin my life? Is he going to break into the Victorian like he did Mia’s house?
She began another round of gut wrenching sobs.

The heavy oak doors squeaked open. Mia walked out with a wooden tray balanced on her arm. She pulled the door closed with the other hand. Sasha’s Merlot, two glasses, the corkscrew, a box of tissues and a plastic grocery bag was transferred from the tray to the table between them. Sasha grabbed a handful of tissue and blew her nose. Mia tied the plastic bag to the table leg so Sasha could drop her used tissues into it.

“You think of everything, thanks.”

Mia poured the wine and handed a glass to Sasha. “Whenever you’re ready, just take your time and breathe.” She took a sip of her own wine, and waited.

“I was just minding my own business, being happy.”

“I know, hon.”

“Earlier, I painted some balcony furniture I bought. While I waited for it to dry, I dozed off outside. That’s when my phone rang and woke me up. I had no idea who it was at first. Jack must have changed his number. It wasn’t familiar, Mia. I was so shocked and startled by his voice, I could barely speak.”

“What did he say?”

“His voice was scary, and I could tell he was angry. He said, he knew I lived in Tarrytown, and he wanted to see me. I told him I didn’t live here.”

“Holy shit, Sasha. How in the hell does he know where you live?”

“He saw my picture on the Hair Brained ad.”

“But Hair Brained ads only go out to Westchester county newspapers.”

“I know. He lives in White Plains, for now.” Sasha broke down again.

“Shit! I was sure he moved back to the city. That’s all he ever talked about. Mick would never let Jack stay more than a few weeks in New Rochelle at his house.”

Aaron pulled in the driveway and got out of his car. He carried a bag of groceries as he walked up the sidewalk. The quizzical look on his face almost asked the question for him. “Mia, Sasha, what’s going on?”

“Friggin Jack, that’s what, damn it,” Mia replied, while holding Sasha’s shaking hand.

“C’mon inside. It’s cold out here. Tell me everything, Sasha, while I make coffee.” Aaron filled the carafe with filtered water and poured it in the pot as Sasha repeated everything she just told Mia. Aaron added the grounds and turned the coffeemaker on while he put the groceries away.