all about.â
âChange will require a complete overhaul of our system,â Sabrina said. âMy input was a bleep on the neverending screen of the political dysfunction embraced by some of those working inside it.â
âUnless your father is running for President.â
Discomfort twitched through Sabrina, partially because of the truth in Calistaâs statement. Her mind chased a memory: sheâd been at a party with her parents, talking to her father. A staunch supporter of her fatherâs had waited until she was alone and then proceeded to tell her she was ruining her fatherâs career. Heâd insisted that unless she stepped down from her position at the Prime âsomething her parents, despite frequent conflicting opinions, would never ask her to doâher father would not get the nomination for his party.
âYou know, Calista,â Ryan said dryly, his voice snap ping Sabrina out of the past and back to the present as he continued. âProbing Sabrina about things she doesnât want to talk about isnât exactly the way to convince her toâ¦â
âSpeak of this event weâre having. Sorry, Sabrina,â Calista said, having the good grace to be apologetic. âI shouldnât have pushed. Please know itâs because Iâm a fan, and letting go of your column must have been painful. I was certain your interest in my brother had some political angle.â
âJust pure racing bliss for the fans, I hope,â Sabrina clarified.
âWhy donât you explain to Sabrina what it is you want her to do, Calista,â Ryan suggested, ever the one to get right to the point. A quality Sabrina decided could grow on her quite rapidly.
âRight,â Calista said. âThe city council is organizing a political-ideas discussion, all parties, commentators, journalists will be invited. And Iâd be honored if you would consider speaking.â
A part of Sabrina burned to say yes to the invitationâthis was familiar territory. Who didnât want to feel as if they were valued? Appreciated? She wanted to do good things, to stand up for people, but she didnât know how to do that, and really make a difference. No, sheâd hit an emotional wall over the constant conflict her involvement created. Sheâd made her decision, and she knew she needed a change, at least, until she figured out how, and if, she could contribute in a positive way.
Resolve formed. âAs much as I am flattered by your invitation, there is no doubt such an event would pluck me from the obscurity Iâve come here to find. I canât let that happen.â
âYou know I want to pressure you,â Calista said.
âBut you wonât,â Ryan said firmly, casting Calista a meaningful look. âAnd thatâs wonderful of you.â His cell rang before he finished the last word.
âRealtor,â he told Sabrina after a quick inspectionof the phone. âIâll take this outside.â He dismissed himself. Sabrina watched him leave, warmed by his brawny protectiveness. She had friends whoâd defended her work at the Prime , her editor Ava being one of them. But Ryanâs protectiveness wasnât about her work, it was about her.
âFrom politics to extreme sports, I see,â Calista commented. Sabrina refocused on the other woman as Calista sipped her coffee and winked. âI guess I see why you want out of politics.â
Had she been drinking her coffee, Sabrina would surely have choked. Playing coy, she pretended they were talking about Calistaâs brother, Marco. âI wasnât aware race-car driving was considered extreme sports.â
âNo,â Calista agreed. âBut jumping out of an airplane with that man sure was. I donât know how I got talked into that. Have you tried it?â
âNo,â Sabrina said. âI came close but thankfully, you and Marco showed up that