out to her children—Sabrina’s half siblings—and had tried to get rid of her. Just last month, Marilyn had pleaded guilty to attempted murder and had been sentenced to fifteen years in prison. She’d been given a lighter sentence for admitting her guilt.
The community had rallied around Sabrina, perhaps in part because of the media attention but also because of Mason’s status as a well-respected firefighter. People donated their time and their products and got the studio reconstructed and renovated in four months. The interior now looked better than before, with a more modern feel, new marble flooring and an exit door in the back that would allow for easy escape if there was another fire. Mason had seen to it that the building would never be a possible death trap again.
Sabrina was a workaholic, and Nya was certain that she would find her already in the office. Sabrina lived in an apartment right above the studio, which had largely been untouched by the fire. She was at work earlier and earlier these days, because business had tripled after the firefighter calendar project.
But as busy as Sabrina was, she was definitely making time for love with Mason.
The front door chimes sang as Nya unlocked and opened the door. It was just before nine-thirty, and the office opened at ten, so Nya left the Closed sign in the window.
“Hey,” she called out.
When Sabrina didn’t reply, Nya made her way down the hallway that led to the studio in the back. Opening the door, she found Sabrina at her desk in front of her giant Mac computer screen—exactly where Nya expected to see her. Her hair was piled in a loose bun, and she was still wearing her pajamas.
“Morning,” Nya said.
Sabrina turned, her eyes registering surprise. Then she pulled the earbuds out of her ears.
“Morning,” Sabrina said with a warm smile.
“How long have you been up?”
“I came down just after seven.”
“Ouch.” Nya winced.
“I’ve got to get those pictures together from the Miller wedding before they come in later this week.”
“You’ve got time,” Nya said.
“Not when more work keeps piling up,” Sabrina countered. “If I don’t keep on top of it, I’ll be buried fast.”
Nya walked toward her, extending the cup tray as she did. “Yours is on the right. A large caramel latte with soy milk.”
Sighing happily, Sabrina lifted the coffee from the tray. “Thank you. I need this today.”
“You’re welcome.”
Suddenly, Sabrina eyed Nya suspiciously. “Everything okay?”
“Sure. Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Well, for one thing, you’re bringing me a large latte. You always do that when you want something.”
“I’m offended,” Nya huffed. And to prove that she didn’t want anything, she changed the subject. “Did you spend the night with Mason at least? Or did you send him home because you had to get up early to get to work?”
“Oh, he was here,” Sabrina said, and a smile danced on her lips. “But he had to work at seven. So he was up early. Which worked out, because I needed to be up early, too.”
“Good. I’m glad you’re not putting work before your man.”
“Definitely not. Now that I’ve found Mason, I’m not about to take him for granted. But it does mean a lot less sleep.” Sabrina sipped her latte. “So I definitely appreciate this.”
“Nothing like a strong jolt of java to get you started for your day.” Nya sipped her own coffee and drew in a deep, satisfied breath. Wow, did she ever need this. Between thinking about the encounter with Russell and the kiss she had planted on Tyler, she hadn’t gotten nearly enough sleep.
Wandering around to stand behind Sabrina, Nya looked at the photos on the screen. Once again, Sabrina had captured some elegant photos that this couple would cherish.
“Those are beautiful,” Nya said. “Oooh, the ones at the pier... I love them. Especially that one.” Nya pointed at the screen. In this particular photo, the bride’s veil was flowing in the wind, and the camera had captured it beautifully.
“Thank you.”
“You just keep getting better and better,” Nya said.
Nya had begun toying with photography in her spare time. But she hadn’t dared to tell Sabrina about her newly piqued interest.
“Everyone loved the calendar,” Nya went on. “That picture of Mason, with his chest glistening, was particularly sexy.”
Sabrina grinned. “It’s possible I put a little more effort into his photos.”
“Speaking of Mason,” Nya began cautiously, “I do have a favor to ask.”
Sabrina flashed her a knowing look. “I knew it! You always bring me my favorite latte when you want something.”
“Am I that transparent?”
“Only to me. What do you want? And what could it possibly have to do with Mason?”
Sighing, Nya sank into one of the two chairs opposite Sabrina’s desk. “Remember I told you that Russell showed up at the gala last night?”
“How could I forget? He’s the reason you left early.”
“Well, I need you to talk to Mason. Tell him to tell Tyler McKenzie that the date for Friday night is off.”
Sabrina blinked a couple of times as she stared at her with a quizzical expression. “Okay, maybe I need to drink this coffee first, because I’m not making sense of what you’re telling me.”
Nya sipped her coffee before continuing. “Something happened last night. Something I didn’t get a chance to tell you. It’s no big deal, and clearly it was just a reaction to seeing Russell.”
“Still confused,” Sabrina said.
“When I saw Russell last night, he was heading toward me with Topaz. You remember Topaz?”
“The woman he cast in his film. The one you suspected he was sleeping with.”
“Yes,” Nya said. “Well, seeing Topaz on his arm...I kind of freaked out.”
“What does any of this have to do with Tyler?” Sabrina asked.
“Because I did something really stupid. When Russell was walking toward me, with Topaz practically all over him, I panicked. I didn’t know what to do, and all I could think about was the last time I’d spoken to Russell and how he’d humiliated me and acted as though I’d never get over him...” Nya knew she was rambling, and Sabrina’s look of confusion grew more intense. “I was at the bar to get a drink, and when I saw Russell, I—I just turned to the guy next to me and started kissing him.”
“What?” Sabrina’s eyes were bulging.
“I know, it was completely crazy.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa,” Sabrina said, holding up a hand. “Are you telling me you kissed someone randomly? Literally just laid one on some guy at the bar? To what? Make a point to Russell?”
“Saying it like that makes me sound incredibly stupid. I wasn’t thinking. I just acted. Worst of all, it turns out that the man I kissed was that sexy firefighter, Tyler. He played along with the kiss...perhaps a little too well. Now Tyler and I are supposed to go to the film premiere on Friday night, but I don’t want to go. I can’t. And that’s why I need Mason.”
Sabrina drank more coffee. “There are a lot of blanks you’re not filling in for me, but that’s okay. Let’s start from the beginning. What film premiere?” But before Nya