Chapter Two Continued

There was a restroom nearby and a few outside tables for a coffee shop, so when she caught sight of Sabrin she discreetly laid the hat, glasses and new shirt on the table and walked away from it.

She stayed in view, though to ensure he saw her when he changed.

Sabrin sighed with relief at Sarah’s maneuvering. He caught her looking towards the bathrooms and was only stopped once on his way there, by an adoring fan. The bus was just pulling up when Sabrin made his way to Sarah’s side. He slipped his hand into hers as they boarded the bus.

“You didn’t tell me you had a camera,” Sabrin commented once they had found seats. Before she answered, he pulled her into a quick kiss.

“You don’t object, do you? I wanted to...have a keepsake.” She gave him a guilty smile.

"Of course not." He was happy she had bought one. He wanted a keepsake too.

"Do you like the shirt?" she asked. He nodded his approval. "I thought it would make you look like a local. The camera was at the counter and was a spur of the moment purchase for the tour," she explained.

The first brewery they arrived at was the Coors brewery. The tour guide gave some instructions and told them some historical facts about the brewery before the group proceeded off the bus.

Barley, hops, malt, huge vats and lots of workers. Sarah wanted to pay attention to what the tour guide was saying, but Sabrin was with her, holding her hand like they belonged together. Once they were in the building, Sabrin had taken off his sunglasses. Being able to see his handsome face and realizing that she was here WITH him. It was surreal. They went by one of the huge vats and Sabrin went over to the tap and positioned his mouth underneath, pretending to open the valve.

Sarah giggled and started to take out the camera but Sabrin moved before she could capture the moment as the tour guide was starting to turn in his direction. He came back to her side and took her hand again. At each stop in the tour, the guide talked about the brewing process, took some questions and allowed for photo opportunities. Sarah had taken a couple of pictures of Sabrin in front of the huge vats when he came back and took the camera from her.

"You have to be in some of them," he said, motioning her to stand in front of the vats. He took three pictures of Sarah in different poses before she declared that was enough.

There was an older woman in the group who was there with her family. She tapped Sabrin on the shoulder just as he was thinking about kissing Sarah.

"You two make a lovely couple. Would you like for me to take your picture together? These hands don't shake that bad, yet."

Sarah and Sabrin exchanged looks and turned back to thank the woman before turning over the camera to her. They were immortalized, arm in arm, standing in front of one of the huge silver vats.

The woman took the picture. "Stay there," she instructed them, "let me take another picture, just in case these hands shake more than I realize. I can tell from looking at you how much you care about each other so it would be such a shame if the first didn't turn out."

She took the second picture and handed the camera back to Sabrin. They thanked her again and continued on the tour. The woman's words had an effect on both of them although they were both trying to hide it.

The time finally came for beer tasting. Everyone in the group was given a beer mug filled to the top with the frothy amber liquid. Sabrin toasted Sarah and drank his down with an appreciative belch. Sarah covered her eyes with her hand and pretended not to know him. The old woman and her husband were seated next to Sabrin as well as the rest of their large family. The old man took one sniff of the beer and grunted. “You want mine, son? My ulcer won’t let me drink it.” Sabrin thanked the gentleman and drank that one down too.

"They remind me of us once upon a time, Henry. Don't you think?" the old woman commented loud enough for almost the whole table to hear.

"How long have you been married?" Sarah asked.

"We're celebrating our 50th anniversary this year. This trip to Denver is an early anniversary gift from our son and daughter-in-law." She then proceeded to introduce each member of her family to them.

"I'm Sabrin and this is Sarah. Congratulations...50 years...you're very lucky. Although you don't have a beer, sir, I would like to make a toast to your next 50 years together."

The sounds of glasses clinking and laughter came from their table. Soon the tour guide came over to herd the group together, as it was time to get back on the bus to go to the Anheuser-Busch brewery. Before they left, Sarah motioned to the tour guide.

"Can you take a group picture for us please?"

The tour guide took a picture with Sarah's camera and with the camera belonging to Helen and Henry.

On the bus, Sabrin was feeling some of the effects of beer on an empty stomach. Sarah too seemed very relaxed. She rested her head on his shoulder and he gently kissed along her hairline. She turned her head to look into his sexy blue eyes in time to see the feelings she had been trying to hide, reflecting back at her.

"I-"

She covered his mouth with her hand. Her expression was pained as she slowly shook her head.

"We have only hours left. This just isn't the place, I mean, between you and I, for that."

"I don't want to lie, Sarah."

"Then just deny."

Sarah rested her head back against Sabrin’s shoulder. He took her hand, raising it to his face and gently kissed the back of her hand before lowering it back to his thigh. He leaned his head against hers. They sat in silence as the bus drove down the road to their next stop. They were both so deep in thought they didn't hear the new tour guide's welcome and, if it weren't for Helen's gentle reminder that it was time to get off the bus, they probably would have missed the tour.

A second glass of beer at the end of this tour did nothing to lift Sarah's melancholy mood. Sabrin had his and Henry’s so he was walking funny by the time they were back on the bus, heading back to the hotel. The pair decided that food was desperately needed. The bus stopped at another hotel down the street from theirs and they decided to get off.

"There's a nice steak place," Sabrin said pointing with the hand that did not hold hers.

"And there's a nice burger joint. I know you'd prefer that. Let's go." Sarah gave him a knowing smile but Sabrin looked confused.

"You've been a fan of mine for years, right?" he questioned. She nodded. "You schemed for a way to meet me?” Another nod. “And waited for the opportunity to put your plan to work?”

“Yes,” she agreed.

“So, without trying to sound like I’m being vain here, if being with me is a dream of yours, why are we doing everything I want to do?”

"Since I broke into your room to seduce you for my pleasure, I thought you should have some say in what we do," she laughed.

"Then I say you choose where you would really like to eat and we'll go there. Agreed?"

"Agreed. Let's go to the burger joint over there," she said, pulling him in the direction of the restaurant.

"Sarah, are you sure you want to go there?"

"Yes Sabrin. I really do. I have a craving for a greasy cheeseburger, fries and a cold one, honestly." She pulled him again and he started walking to the restaurant.

He sighed and followed, but he didn't believe her for a moment. Still, it was flattering, but then everything about this weekend was flattering, astonishing, arousing, satisfying, confusing, frustrating, and painfully short. They entered the grease filled air of "The Beer Mug", took seats and ordered bacon cheeseburgers, fries, and two more beers. Sabrin had sat across from Sarah so he could see her, but he wanted to be near her, so he moved.

"We need to get that film developed," he commented.

"I can do it when I get home," she told him.

"Home, and that would be where?"

 "Ha, ha," she groaned.

"I want to see them too, Sarah. When we get back to the hotel, let’s see if they can give us a hand with that."

She nodded as she took another bite of her cheeseburger. "These are great burgers and home-made fries...when's the last time you had home-made fries at a place. I have got to remember this place for the next time I'm in Denver!" she declared.

"So you really did want to have burgers? You weren't just saying that because you thought I would like it?" He wanted her confirmation.

"Sabrin, I live for a good cheeseburger. I have a mental list of all the best burger places I've been to in every city I've visited," she laughed.

They finished dinner and ordered chocolate cake for dessert. Sabrin took some of the frosting and touched it to her check, just so he could kiss it off of her.

"Let's go back to the hotel,” she whispered. She was going to get no argument from him.

The young woman at the concierge desk was happy to help with getting the film developed. After blushing a few times, she admitted that her boyfriend owned a shop just two blocks away. She would send them to their room once they were done.

Once in the room, they collapsed on the couch. They sat silently for a few minutes just staring at each other as if they were both trying to etch each other's image in their minds.

"What are we going to do, Sarah?" Sabrin asked. Sarah knew he was not talking about their next activity but about the future.

"We only have a few hours left. Let's enjoy each other's company while we still have time," she responded.

Time, he thought. He was beginning to hate the concept of time. He wanted to stop time so this wouldn't end. He put his arms around her, pulling her as close as he could. She rested her head on his chest. He saw a tear run down her check. He kissed it away and continued to hold her. They had no idea how much time had passed when there was a knock at their door. It was the concierge with the pictures. Her boyfriend had them ready in thirty minutes.

They moved to the dining table to look over the pictures. "I sooo wish I had been able to get the picture of you clowning around at the vat." She reached over and messed up his hair. Sabrin caught her hand and pulled her into a kiss. The kiss became longer, deeper and full of tender warmth. Still holding her hand, Sabrin guided her to the bed. He slowly began to remove her dress as she helped him off with his shirt.

Once they had removed each other’s clothing, they moved to the bed, together. They kissed slow and meaningful kisses. They both knew, without saying a word, this would be the last time they made love, here in this time and place. They both wanted it to be special.

He gently swept his hands over her body, memorizing every curve and nuance through his touch. He moved his kisses to the nape of her neck and to her shoulders before returning to the sweetness of her lips. He then ran his hand down the side of her face feeling her softness. Her lips beckoned him again.

He wanted so much to say the words, but he knew it would only upset her. After all, he could not leave Niki. He had a lot vested in his relationship with her, he needed her, but the love had been steadily dying between them over the past few years.

He had forgotten what it was like to feel this way again, to have his pulse quicken at the sight or even the sound of someone. But perhaps this was just lust or infatuation. That was less painful a thing to believe, anyway.

When he came together with her, these thoughts vanished. There was only one man and one woman and tenderness.

This memory of making love for possibly the last time was imprinted in their minds. Each moment, each caress, each gentle moan of delight would always be there waiting to be replayed over and over again. Their kisses were more urgent. Every ounce of emotion was spent in this passionate act of lovemaking.

When the act had been completed, they lay in each other’s arms, just looking at each other and caressing each other. They continued to kiss, but few words were exchanged. They were not needed. Sabrin was still trying to convince himself this was only infatuation and Sarah was wondering how she would keep from crying when they parted and how long she would cry once they had. The light in the room faded and died, but the lovers still clung to each other.

Sarah kissed Sabrin lightly on the cheek. "Thank you for spending this time with me, Sabrin. I will never forget this weekend. It means more to me than you'll ever know,” she whispered.

He smiled at her words. "I'll never forget either. You have re-awakened a part of me that I forgot existed and I’ll always be grateful for that."

They held each other even tighter. The words were coming easier now but they were still bittersweet. A quote from Shakespeare came to Sabrin’s mind "parting is such sweet sorrow". Those words would have a different meaning for him now.

"So, you're going to be working on this new movie in three weeks, right? You didn't really say much about the part." Sarah said, drawing circles with her finger in his chest hair.

"It's a romantic comedy. I’m going to play the part of the best friend to the male lead. Both of our characters are trying to get their lives back together after our wives, who were also best friends, are killed together in a car crash. The subject is serious, but the movie is very light-hearted." Sabrin continued to tell her of the movie and Sarah listened, asking questions periodically, but through most, she simply listened. She just wanted to enjoy the sound of his voice.

"In romantic comedies the leading man always gets the woman in the end. What about the best friend?"

"You'll have to wait until next year to see it in the theatre. If I tell you everything you'll have no reason to see it," he joked.

"You're a tease!" she accused him laughingly.

The movie was being shot over the course of three months both at the studio in LA and for a couple of weeks on location in Vermont.

"Do you have anything lined up after you finish the movie? Another movie or back to Broadway," she asked.

"I have some feelers out for two small parts in plays on Broadway and another larger part there. The timing will play a large role in my getting them." He grinned at his puns. She laughed and shook her head at him.

"Silly man."

"Yes, I'm silly. I'm also driven crazy by the thought that I’ll never see you again. Are you sure that's what you want, Sarah?"

Sarah brought her hands to his face, her expression one of pleading. "This has been a wonderful dream. But tomorrow, you and I will wake from that dream and once again live in reality."

"If I do go back to Broadway, I hope you'll at least come to New York to see the play. You're not too far from New York up there in the mid-west."

"I'd love to see you on stage," she answered.

"And maybe you might think about waiting at the stage door to say hello?"

She smiled and nodded her head. "You just don't stop do you?” she laughed. He feigned innocence with a "who me" gesture.

"I may try and see a play one day, but...it would just be too hard to be that close to you again. We'd better start our packing. We need to get you checked out and to the airport soon." She kissed him and tried to pull away to get out of bed, but Sabrin held her, continuing the kiss. He finally released her, but just watched her move to reclaim her clothes. She shook her head at him and headed to the bathroom.

Once the door was closed, Sabrin got out of bed, went over to the table where the pictures they had taken still lay, and took the two he wanted. One was of Sarah alone and the other was one of the pictures Helen had taken of them together. Sabrin rushed to hide them in his bag before Sarah came out of the bathroom.

Sarah didn't take very long to freshen up and get dressed. Sabrin was already dressed and packed when she returned from the bathroom. She walked past the table picking up the pictures without looking at them and she placed them in her bag. She packed her few things and was ready to go. ~ Not ready, ~ she thought, ~ but packed. ~ Sabrin came over to her and wrapped his arms around her. They both needed a hug.

"You know, you told me you had never done this before, but I didn't say that I had never done this before. I haven't, Sarah." He looked into her eyes and caressed a cheek.

"I'm still kind of shocked you didn't toss me out on my ear from the beginning," Sarah admitted with a laugh.

"This may reflect very badly on me, but one look at you in that sexy red blouse and the leather mini skirt and I was too...horny to throw anyone anywhere. Oh, and the stockings and heels! OH God, you were hot in that. But, it wasn't just making love to you, Sarah. It was you. All of you. I just wish I had the chance to know more."

"Me too."

He kissed her forehead as they continued embracing. There was a knock at the door. It was the valet coming to take their bags for them. He forced himself to say the words he desperately didn't want to say.

"It's time to go."

They rode down the elevator silently with the valet. Sarah rested her head against Sabrin’s shoulder. He kissed the top of her head then reached for her hand. He checked out quickly and joined Sarah by their bags. The doorman hailed them a cab and they were off to the airport.

Sarah was upset to see his flight was going to be on time. ~ Never a delay when you wanted one. ~ But they passed the gate where her flight would be and hers was going to be on time too. Sabrin checked his bags, and together, they waited for the flight to board. The wait was disconcertingly short. The door was opened and the flight was called. The ten other people who were on the flight got up and headed for the door. Sabrin stood with Sarah and kissed her one last time. It just about tore his heart out to let her go, but he had no choice. He released her and headed away. Just before he got to the door, he turned to see her close behind him.

"Sarah, it may have been your intention to just break into my room, but I want you to know, you broke into my heart as well. Goodbye."

And with that, he was gone.

She stood at the window of the terminal watching his plane. She was able to control her tears until she saw the gate being pulled away from his plane and it began to taxi down the runway. She pulled some Kleenex from her bag and wiped her eyes but the tears would not stop. She heard the boarding call for her flight and walked to the gate. Each of the flight attendants she passed stopped to ask if she was okay and she nodded each time. She found her seat, putting her carry-on in the rack above the seat. She stared out the window of the plane. She cried silently for the duration of the flight.