NEW YORK
Sabrina had been in a New York for about a month and was beginning to pick up the pieces. She got a job in a small art gallery and with the money from her Cadogan Square home and selling her shares of Ambassadors and Blackford's she was able to purchase a comfortable apartment for herself and Mrs. Thirkell and in about four months, her little girl. She made a few friends at work but kept mostly to herself and she knew even though New York with its anything goes attitude that some of them wondered about her "situation". She volunteered nothing and no one asked. Even though she had sold her interests in the shops she maintained her connections and the gallery had the opportunity to buy from their inventory. She was going through a shipment of pieces from London when the gallery owner, Madeline Callas, came in with a very attractive man Sabrina hadn't seen before.
"Sabrina, I'd like you to meet Phillip Jauvet, a dear friend of mine. We'll be doing a showing of his work in the near future."
"Yes, of course. I've seen some of your work. It's fantastic." She stood up but her pregnancy was hidden by the box on the table
He returned her smiled and extended his hand over the box, "Well, thank you. I just hope the rest of the art world agrees with you."
"I'm sure they will." She replied shaking his hand, "Then we'll all be able to say we knew you when." There was something about his eyes that she found herself lost in, crystal blue and they almost seemed to dance
"Sabrina, I'd like you to handle the opening." Madeline told her, "I have too much on my plate right now with the benefit coming up. I've done some preliminaries and we can talk about it later."
"Of course." Sabrina agreed, "I'd be happy to."
"Good." Madeline said, "I've got some phone calls to make so why don't you to talk. Phillip, you can run your ideas past her. Believe me; you'll be in good hands." And with that she disappeared into her office
He smiled at Sabrina, "I'm sorry she sprung it on you like that."
"Well, that's Madeline's M.O." She replied resting her arms on the box, "The sneak attack."
"I promise it will be rather painless." He assured her
"Well, I suppose we should get started." She came out from behind the table finally revealing her pregnancy
He was a bit taken back, "I see congratulations are in order."
She smiled awkwardly, "Thank you."
"I also promise not to take you away from your husband too much." He suddenly felt very guilty for the thoughts he was having about the auburn haired beauty
Sabrina drew a sharp breath and changed the subject, "Well, why don't you show me what pieces you intend to show?"
"I actually don't have any here." He said, "They're at my studio. I was showing them to Madeline earlier. Why don't you come over later and I can show them to you."
"I guess that would be alright." She said, "I'm usually here until about six so I could come by after that."
"That would be perfect." He found himself smiling again, "Well, I'll just pop in and say good bye to Madeline."
"Okay, I'll see you later then."
"Yes." He said, "Later." He left Sabrina to her work and knocked on Madeline's door and she motioned for him to come in
"So, I trust you and Sabrina are getting things underway." She said as he took a seat across from her
"You could say that." He said, "What is her story?"
"Oh, you noticed the…uh." She replied
"I certainly did." He said, "But I also noticed the absence of a wedding ring and she avoided the subject when I mentioned a husband."
"Don't bother trying to figure that one out." She said, "She won't tell us anything. In fact she rarely mentions the baby at all. Most women can't stop talking about it when they're pregnant with their first."
"Well, she's coming by the studio later to look at the pieces. Maybe I can get to reveal her deepest darkest secrets."
"You are impossible." She said with a grin, "But good luck getting her to talk. You're an artist, Darling, not a miracle worker."
/
Sabrina arrived at Phillip's studio, which for the moment was also his apartment, about six thirty and when he opened the door she was again taken with how attractive he was. Tall with dark hair which made his blue eyes that much more striking. Just like Grant's…
He offered her a warm smile, "Hello again. Please come in."
She crossed the threshold and he offered to take her coat, "Thank you." She said as she handed it to him
He looked her over for a moment, auburn hair, bright green eyes. She was wearing a beautiful dark green outfit that was loose and flowing, such elegance and he found her pregnancy strangely alluring, her rounded abdomen beautiful. For a moment he wondered what she looked like totally naked and hoped he wasn't blushing. He had to admit no woman ever made him feel this way, certainly not one who was little more than a stranger.
"Can I get you a drink?" He said, "Milk or something?"
She smiled, "No, thank you."
"Well, the pieces I want to show are over here." He gestured to the far corner of the room with about two dozen paintings on easels
She was just as impressed with his talent as she was with his looks, "These are wonderful. I'm sure you'll have a very successful showing."
"I'm sure I will, in your very capable hands." He replied
"I will do my very best." She assured him, "So, tell me about yourself...for the brochure for the opening."
"Ah, let's see…I am French, grew up in Lyon and Paris. I studied art at The Sorbonne and moved to the states about ten years ago."
"That's all?" She asked arching a well-defined eye brow
"Well, I am kind of boring. What about you?"
She shook her head, "No, no. I'm not the one whose work is on display."
"Well, we're going to be working pretty closely together to get the show ready. I'd like to know something about you…other than…" he gestured to her abdomen
She suddenly felt very nervous, "I…I should go." She headed across the room to the door
"Sabrina." He said following her, "I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to pry, really."
She turned back around to face him, "I know. I just…I like to keep my life private. Please understand."
"Of course." He replied half smiling, "I was incredibly rude and I'm sorry."
She returned his smile, "You weren't but your apology is accepted."
"Well, I promise I won't ask anything else. We'll keep it strictly about the showing."
"Alright." She agreed, "I still need to go over some things with Madeline. Why don't you stop by the gallery on Friday and we can continue."
"Friday should be fine." He said, "I'll see you then."
"Good." She said turning again toward the door
"Sabrina."
"Yes." She said turning around
"May I say one more thing?" He asked
"I suppose."
"I'm sure your baby will be absolutely beautiful."
All she could manage was smile and she opened the door and once in the hall she leaned back against the door fighting back tears.
/
Friday came and Phillip showed up about noon bearing lunch for the two of them. Sabrina was in the large room that was typically used for showings when he appeared.
"What's all this?" She asked
"I come bearing food." He informed her, "I figured it's the least I can do."
"For what?"
"To make up for the other night." He said
"You already apologized. This wasn't necessary." She said with a smile, "But I'm glad you did. I'm starving." She said with a giggle
"Well, let's not put it off any longer." He suggested, "Where shall we eat?"
"My desk?" She said, "You can pull up a chair. If that's alright?"
"Fine with me." He said, "Shall we?" He gestured for her to lead the way."
After they ate they returned to room for the showing and Sabrina was explaining how she thought everything should be laid out, "I think if we have the paintings in something of a circle it will be easier for people to browse and it gives plenty of room in the middle of the room for mingling."
"Mingling?" He asked, "I thought they were here to look at my work." He said jokingly
"Ah yes, but they will want the chance to meet with the artist himself."
"Wining and dining, my least favorite aspect of all this." He said, "Couldn't I just hibernate until it's over, you know like Smokey the Bear?"
She laughed and it was like a symphony to his ears, "No, you have to schmooze to sell."
"Well, you know what they say about sacrificing for you art." He replied
She laughed again then she stopped and placed her hand on her abdomen, "Oh."
"Are you alright?" He asked
"Yes, I just…the baby moved." She felt embarrassed and averted her eyes
He moved closer to her, "May I?"
She met his eyes and something told her she needn't be afraid to let her guard down a little, "Yes." She took his hand and placed it on her abdomen and he felt a little kick
"Wow." He said quietly, "You know, people make a big deal about the paintings I create but that can't compare to this."
"Thank you." She said just as quietly, never letting go of his hand
TBC
