As Patrick stood outside Sabrina's apartment clutching his duffel, he wondered what in the hell had just happened. Had Sabrina really just dumped him and tossed him out on his ass?
One minute they'd been basking in the afterglow of some pretty intense lovemaking and the next she brought up the damn Ball and he'd completely freaked. Being unable to admit the real reason he couldn't, or rather wouldn't, take her to the ball, he'd floundered to cover, which only fed into her insecurities.
Patrick was in love with Sabrina. If he took her to the Ball, then he would feel like a giant ass. He had initially gotten close to her because of the bet. Had Matt not egged him on with a reason to talk to her, Patrick would have ignored the pull between them and continued on with his player ways. Taking Sabrina to the ball would be tantamount to admitting Matt was right about him and would cheapen what had become a very important relationship. However, not taking Sabrina to the ball would make her think he didn't want her when the exact opposite was true.
Patrick banged several times on her door, but Sabrina wouldn't answer. Rather than waking up the neighborhood, Patrick opted to leave and come up with a strategy to convince her that this thing between them was the real deal.
The next morning...
Sabrina felt like a zombie when she punched in at work. After her blowout with Patrick last night, she couldn't even cry herself to sleep because she was too angry at herself. She had fallen hard for Patrick against her better judgment and had been proven right. He obviously cared for her, but not enough to go public with their relationship. Sabrina wanted everything she deserved - a husband who loved her and a family. If Patrick wouldn't go public, then she knew that future wasn't in the cards for them.
Just as she finished punching in, Sabrina heard the elevator doors ding and saw Patrick come out looking as haggard as she did. When he saw her, he made a beeline to her. "Sabrina, we have to talk."
Sabrina logged off the computer and stepped out from behind the station. "No, Patrick, we don't. Not unless it is work-related."
Sabrina went to walk away just as several of the other nurses, including Felix and Liz, began walking toward the station to start their shifts, but was stopped by Patrick's hand on her elbow. Not taking no for an answer, he ground out. "Yes, we do."
When Sabrina saw the Britch and a few other doctors converging on the station to collect their charts for rounds, Sabrina said, "Everything I had to say, I said last night." Then, eyeing the group of people, who were now starting to stare at them, added, "You're making a scene. Please let me go."
Exasperated, Patrick said, "I don't care. Everyone has been whispering about us behind our backs anyway, so we might as well give them a front row seat."
Sabrina pulled out of his grasp with all her might. "Why are you doing this right now? This isn't the time or place."
Patrick threw up his arms, "Because you wouldn't answer the door last night after you threw me out and because you won't return any of my calls or texts. What other choice do I have to get you to talk to me?"
"None. Because we are no longer talking outside of work," Sabrina stated, crossing her arms.
"Says you. But you aren't the only one who gets a vote in this relationship. You don't get to just throw me out without letting me get a word in edgewise. I'm not giving up on us without a fight, Sabrina. I love you."
At his statement, a collective gasp traveled through the group of curious onlookers, but Patrick didn't seem to care. He moved closer to her and repeated himself, "I love you, Sabrina. Don't throw this away."
Sabrina was jolted by his profession of love. She loved him too, of course, but she didn't understand why he balked at taking her to the ball. "I love you too, Patrick and I don't want to throw away what we have anymore than you do." When he started to move closer, she held out a hand to stop him, "But I deserve a man who wants to be with me in public."
He waved an arm around, gesturing to the crowd. "As opposed to this?"
"You know what I mean, Patrick," Sabrina replied, standing her ground.
Patrick looked to the floor sheepishly. "I'm sorry, Sabrina, I can't."
Sabrina steeled herself. "Then we have nothing left to discuss," she said as she walked away from the man she loved and the crowd of gaping onlookers to start her work for the day.