"I feel like I've been mugged," Sabrina mumbled. Feeling utterly boneless, her body collapsed into the chair.

      "What in the hell just happened?" Faith Ward inquired, nearly as stunned as her friend.

      "I don't know…" Sabrina stammered, struggling to find the words. Absently she cupped her right hand. Damn if it didn't still tingle from the feel of his lips upon it. "I don't wanna know!"

      "Exactly!" Faith concurred. "I know he's almost 20, but damn if I don't feel like looking over my shoulder to see if someone's coming to put me under the jail for just flirting with him. What was his name again?"

      "Um…it's Andresj'," Sabrina answered. "I know him from the hospital. He's been spending quite a bit of time there as of late. I just chalked it up to his father's presence there," she shrugged. "Guess I was wrong…" she wiggled her brows.

      "Well, you'd better nip this lil' flirtation with Andresj' and nip it quick," Faith advised. "That young man is…"

      "A mess!" Sabrina chuckled.

      "Mmm, hmm…"

      "But a fine mess, no?"

      "Uh-uh. Don't even go there, you old goat!"

      "Hey, I'm only nine years older than him," Sabrina informed Faith. "You," she cracked, thrusting a finely manicured nail for emphasis, "are a whole 13 years older than him. So that would make you the 'old goat,' don't ya think?" she cackled. "Not that it matters. You know how different the Europeans are from folks here in the States."

      "That's true, O' Horny One," Faith replied drolly. "But we're not in Europe, honey. We're in the States."

      "Yeah, I know, I know," Sabrina acknowledged. "Still, he's dark…"

      "Whoa. Back that train up, sister…"

      "Brooding…"

      "Sabrina. Come down off the ledge. Now, boo…"

      "Intense…"

      "Nine-teen…"

      "Oh, yeah." Those words brought her reverie to a screeching halt. "I forgot about that."

      "That's okay. Lucky for you, I'm the good one in this friendship…" Faith burst into gales of laughter as Sabrina proceeded to choke while downing her drink. "Breathe, boo. Breathe. Relax your throat…"

      "Shut up!" Sabrina cackled, still choking.

      "Now, too bad the gentleman in the corner's taken." Faith directed Sabrina's gaze across the way to a smoldering, Armani clad man in dark, expensive shades. "Given your description of young Andresj', I think he'd be right up your alley. Plus, he's Italian."

      "Hmmm. Dark. Brooding. Intense." She eyed the quietly commanding gentleman. "Obviously powerful…"

      "Mmm, hmm…"

      "Italian, too?"

      "Oh, yeahhhhh…"

      "Hmmm…." Sabrina struck a pensive pose. "Nah. Not my type."

      "You are so full of it!" Now it was Faith's turn to gasp for breath as she choked in between gales of laughter.

      "No. But I'd sure like to be," Sabrina answered honestly, offering up a bawdy grin. "Especially if someone like him," she indicated with a nod of her head at the figure returning to the nearby table, "is gonna do the deed."

      As Faith's eyes alighted upon the man Sabrina had so suggestively spoke of, time stood still. Everything narrowed down to that one moment. Save for the now thunderous beating of her heart, all sound around her ceased. Rooted to the floor, she was unable to move. Which was just as well, for she swore she could feel the flow of her blood reverse its course as realization dawned. Flashes of memory danced before her eyes as they fluttered closed. But not before his breathtaking emerald orbs found hers.

      The sound of her drink crashing to the floor snapped Faith out of her dream-like state.

      "I…have to go," she stammered, her gaze still riveted to his.

      "Faith…what's wrong?"

      "It's…I'll be…I'm fine," she said absently. Unable to tear her eyes from his, she reached for Sabrina's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Really. I will be."

      Not totally convinced, but relieved Faith's voice sounded far less broken than it had moments earlier, Sabrina released her friend's hand. "If you need anything…"

      "I'll call," Faith finished.