Free Sex, Lies, and Beauty Aides by Deb Julienne Page A

information the books offered. If Travis’ expression held a clue it was definitely more than she wanted to know. “How about a movie?”
    “Sure, why not. What do you have?”
    “The lady at the video store recommended a couple.” Sabrina handed them to Travis. “You choose.”
    “More homework. Details please,” he asked, unable to disguise how humorous he found the situation.
    “It’s for the articles on love.”
    “And—”
    “What is love? I really don’t know. I asked for romantic love stories.”
    “Let’s see what you have.”
    She handed him the jackets.
    “You realize, her suggestions are subjective? Right?”
    “Why is that a problem?”
    “Not a problem, just one person’s perspective. How do you know that any movie she finds romantic is going hit that same note in you? I mean, Bogie is great in anything, but that’s not my idea of a romantic movie. As for this,” he said holding up the other jacket, “it’s cute, cheesy, definitely a love story, but not the best there is.”
    “Then what would you have chosen?”
    “Officer and a Gentlemen, Rocky, and maybe Top Gun.”
    “Oh come on, I agree Officer is pretty good, but Rocky?”
    “Yo, Adrian. Come on…it’s a classic.” His impression of Stallone sucked, but he couldn’t help but make the attempt.
    “Classic guy movie, not love story.”
    “What’s wrong with Top Gun?” he asked.
    “That was more about him and his journey, not a love story.”
    “Then how come you had to ask for suggestions?”
    “I know what touches my heart, but who’s to say it does the same for anyone else.”
    “Exactly my point.” He opted for Bogart and Hepburn in The African Queen followed by Hugh and Julia in Nottinghill .
    The movies were classics she’d seen over and over through the years, always from the vantage point of mindless entertainment. Maybe that’s because before she had viewed them with her brother, Nickie, who wanted only to be amused. She’d never delved deep in the plots, the love stories.
    Her focus now was on the defining poignant moments of each. What an eye opener. She wasn’t impressed by the first movie. The second however left her feeling as if she finally knew what love was all about. Unfamiliar emotions stirred deep inside her when Hugh’s character admitted he’d made a mistake and groveled for her to give him a second chance.
    With Travis beside her and their conflicts long gone, she watched with a new perspective. One of hope. She imagined the possibilities. Somehow she just couldn’t imagine Travis groveling. She was glad he hadn’t paid attention as she wiped a lone tear away.
    “What did you think?” Travis asked as he stood.
    “That leech scene grossed me out, but I really liked Nottinghill .”
    “You’re such a chick.”
    “Duh.”
    “Uh—it’s getting late and I have an early day tomorrow.”
    When she stood and followed him to the door, their arms brushed sending a jolt through her, head to toe.
    He drew her into his arms. “Thank you for a lovely evening.”
    She waited, her heart beating faster, willing him to kiss her.
    He kissed her all right. He kissed her forehead then left. Which was as bad as being referred to as a guy’s kid sister.
    She’d almost shut the door when Travis leaned in to stop her.
    He pulled a notebook from his jacket pocket, tore off a sheet, and wrote on it. “If for any reason you want to get in touch with me, here’s my cell phone number. You can reach me any time of the day.” He pressed the paper to her hand and walked into the night.
    Here she was a relatively attractive woman and the best she’d ever got was a kiss on the forehead. How pathetic. She declared herself a complete and utter failure to the female sex.
     

 
    4
     
    Saturday morning Sabrina lay the magazines she’d bought on the floor, three rows, five across, and glared at the covers, unable to relate to a single one of them. The problem was not so much about her or even her inexperience,