Free Perfect Fit by Brenda Jackson

nice girl, yet you’re the one sitting at my kitchen table crying because her trustworthy boyfriend generously screwed her over. So pardon me for not wanting to get taken in by a man I thought I could trust. I’ve been there twice before. Remember, I’m the woman who walked in on her fiancé making out with another woman in a bed I was paying for. So forgive me for knowing just how they operate and deciding to enjoy them with the same attitude and detachment that they enjoy me, rather than fall head over heels in love with one and suffer the hurt and pain like you’re suffering now. So the way I see it, after what Erol did to you, you’re the last person who should be judging my lifestyle.”
    Rose saw Sage flinch at her words and immediately regretted saying them. She sat back at the table and reached over and touched Sage’s hand. “I’m sorry, Sage, I shouldn’t have gone off like that.”
    Sage tried smiling through the tears that clouded her vision. “No, you’re right, I was being judgmental, and I’m the last person in a position to be that way. Hell, I’m the fool because I’m the one who’s financially ruined because I trusted the wrong man. Maybe you have the right idea about love, trust and commitment after all, Rose. If you can’t trust the man you’re supposed to marry, then who can you trust?”
    Rose scooted over closer to Sage and tightened her hand in hers. “You’re not a fool, Sage, andyou’re wrong about me having the right idea. Maybe it’s the right idea for me but not for you. Regardless of what Erol did, you’re a one-man woman, and you can’t help but believe in love, trust and commitment. It’s part of your makeup. You’re hurting now, but you’ll get over it because you know that not every man is like Erol. You have your father and uncles to compare other men to. I didn’t have that. My mother was a single mother, and all I ever saw was a string of boyfriends who only took advantage of her. For a while I let myself follow in her footsteps, but I’ll never do that again. I will never love any man blindly. What I shared with Mr. Poole today was a sex-only encounter based on physical needs. The only thing I wanted from him was pleasure, and he gave me what I wanted. There was no love, expectations or commitment involved. And it had nothing to do with any curiosity on my part with him being white, because I’ve slept with white guys before in college.”
    Sage nodded as she wiped at her tears. Rose was right, a sex-only relationship worked for some people, but it wouldn’t work for her. Even now with all the pain she was feeling because of Erol, she had to believe that some men could be trusted. “I need to go,” she said, standing on somewhat shaky legs.
    “What hotel are you going to?”
    “I’m not sure yet.”
    Rose also stood. “But you’ll call me as soon as you get there and let me know you’re okay, right?”
    “Yes, I’ll call you, and if Erol calls here looking for me, just tell him you haven’t seen me, okay?”
    “Okay.” Rose reached out and gave Sage a hug. “Do you need any money to hold you over for a while?”
    Sage shook her head. “No. I have a credit card Ican use, although it was nice having it paid off for a while.”
    Rose then gave Sage another hug. “You’ll get through this, Sage. Trust me when I tell you it’s not the end of the world.”
    Sage nodded, thinking maybe it wasn’t, but for her it certainly felt that way.

CHAPTER FIVE
    S age checked into the Sheraton Hotel, the one that was locatedin Kannapolis. The short drive from Charlotte did her good, and she preferred spending the night at a hotel that was in another town, needing to put distance between her and Erol.
    She called Rose to let her know where she was. Rose mentioned that Erol had come by looking for her, and with a straight face and without blinking an eye, she had told him she hadn’t seen or heard from Sage since they had parted at the airport earlier that