Free Saving All My Lovin' by Donna Hill

breeze. She was young, in love and walking down an aisle made of tropical flowers toward the man that was to be her husband and father of her child. She thought it would be forever, that her love would tame his wild ways.
    Terrance married again—to someone else? The idea had never occurred to her. As much as she’d distanced herself from her husband and her marriage, she’d never envisioned Terrance with someone else—at least not a wife.
    “Are you okay?”
    She blinked then focused on Sterling. She flashed a half-hearted smile. “Fine. Taking it in I guess.” She drew in a breath. “Nothing in this life is easy.”
    Sterling chuckled. “That’s an understatement.” He waited a beat. “Listen I have to run. Sorry I couldn’t have been a bearer of better news. But as a consolation, I’d love to take you out tonight.”
    Her expression brightened. “I’d really like that.”
    “What time do you get off?”
    “We close at nine. Is that too late?”
    “We’ll both be good and starved by then. I have an idea—if you’re willing to take chances.”
    She frowned. “What kind of chances?”
    “I should be finished in court by five. I’ll dart to the market, fix dinner and then pick you up. We can eat at my place, relax, talk and unwind. How’s that sound?”
    Her features creased. “Can you cook?”
    Sterling laughed from deep in his stomach. “I haven’t killed anyone yet.”
    “That’s not very comforting.” She eyed him for a moment. “On one condition.”
    “What’s that?”
    She wagged her finger at him. “Don’t be late.”
    He grinned. “Nine on the dot.” He took her finger, leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips, taking her by complete surprise. He paused inches away from her mouth. “Hope that’s not against the rules,” he whispered.
    If it was she didn’t care. “I’ll have to look that up in the employee handbook,” she said.
    He grinned. “See you at nine.”
    “Oh, wait. Why don’t I just come directly to your place? I want to go home and change first. Is that okay?”
    “Sure.” He gave her the address. “So then I’ll see you around ten. Is an hour enough time?”
    “Sure.” She smiled.
    “Great. See you later.”
    She watched him leave and began counting the hours, Terrance all but forgotten.

Chapter 10
    S tephanie tried to keep her attention focused on the client who was asking about lifetime membership. She rattled off something that sounded relatively intelligent but her mind was on her own dilemma—getting enough money to facilitate the additional care her sister would need. Her visit to the facility earlier had left her more shaken than she’d let on.
    She smiled her best PR smile as the client left, hopefully satisfied with whatever it was she’d told him.
    With a few moments of downtime she returnedto the office. They’d sent out information on the positions available and she wanted to check her e-mail and phone messages for any responses.
    She opened the e-mail file on the computer and was very pleased with what she saw. Just a quick glance showed that there were more than twenty responses from Craig’s List as well as the Swedish Institute that trained massage therapists. They’d used two of the students on opening night. They’d done an excellent job. Stephanie tucked their information in a folder.
    She opened each e-mail and noted the qualifications, printing out those that met the requirements. By the time she was done, she had a solid fifteen candidates to choose from. She stuck the resumes in the folder and marked it Applicants. When Pause closed for the night, she and the girls would have to go over them and start setting up interviews as soon as possible.
    With that task aside she was forced to revisit her circumstances. Although Dr. Nelson didn’t say how much more it would cost, she had a feeling it would be substantial.
    A giddy feeling bubbled around in her stomach. Samantha talking again. She slowly shook her head. The