“Do you want to come in and talk? We have time before we have to be at the club.” Madison looked around too, wondering what Sabrina was looking for.
“Sure that sounds good. I need to get something off my chest.”
“Oh, ok, sounds kind ominous,” Madison joked.
“It isn’t just some rumors going around.”
“Rumors?” Again? What else could they say? Or was Sabrina now ready to apologize for the rumor she created.
“Nothing bad I guess, it’s only started. I tried to tell them it wasn’t true, but you know how people get a hold of something and don’t want to let it go.”
Madison let them in and put her dance duffle near the door before she walked further into her place. Sabrina followed.
“So, what is the rumor?” Madison didn’t bother to offer Sabrina a seat.
“That you had been sleeping with Enzo, and then you dumped him for Dante, and that was how you got the headliner position.”
“What? That’s a complete lie. I never slept with Enzo or dropped him for Dante. That’s not even how we made the decision for me to be the big act.” Madison pushed off the wall she had leaned against.
“I didn’t believe that, and I told them. I also know you haven’t sex with anyone because you’re still a virgin.”
“Yeah…”
“Wait, did you have sex?”
Madison’s face heated. She didn’t want to discuss this with Sabrina. Or anyone for that matter. What had happened and was happening between her and Dante was private.
“That’s why you’ve looked happier and why we haven’t seen each other as much.”
“We both have been busy with our fashion week projects. I don’t know how you’ve been feeling, but for me the pressure has been intense.”
“That’s true, but you haven’t been home the last couple of times I’d come by.”
“I do visit Henry.” Why had Sabrina been coming to her place so often? They were friends, but she didn’t and it hadn’t been typical for her to come by as much as she was seeming to suggest she had.
“How is he? I went to visit him a couple of times when I was looking for you. He seems to be improving.”
“He is. Treatment is going well and knock on wood, he hasn’t had any illness so we are going to find out when they will schedule the transplant.” This was weird. Why had she looked for her at Henry’s and he hadn’t told her? Was something going on between them?
“Are you and Henry…?”
“Oh no. I only went because I figured you were there. I told him it was no worry to tell you and that I’d catch up with you later.”
“Oh ok.” Madison had been calling Henry because she hadn’t had time with Dante and her fashion project. She had felt guilty and had told him so, but he had assured her that he was fine and to work on her project.
Of course she hadn’t mentioned that she was spending time with Dante. That was a private experience that would soon turn into memories that she would cherish. She doubted they would be together much longer. Dante wanted a wife and kids.
That was something she knew she didn’t want. At least she believed it was a definite deal breaker for her, but now she wasn’t so sure.
Madison looked at her watch. “Oh crap. I missed the bus. I’m going to be late.”
“No worries. I can drive us both. We’ll get there on time.”
“Thanks.” Madison meant it kind of. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to spend more time while Sabrina probed into her life. It made Madison uneasy.
****
Madison had just put down her dance duffle when out of nowhere Dante appeared.
