Second Chances (8 page)

He laid the keys on the table by the door and moved toward where she sat on the couch. “What are you doing here? I thought you were in Glasgow.” He narrowed his eyes in her direction.

Sophie crossed her legs and clasped her hands in front of her knee. “I had to return to London briefly to take care of some business, and decided to pop by. Imagine my surprise at finding you gone.” Her red fingernail tapped against her knee impatiently. “Especially at this hour. Where have you been, by the way?”

David pondered her cool exterior for a moment. Her sleek appearance in her black designer pantsuit was deceptive. He could tell by the glint in her eyes, anger simmered underneath.

“Regardless of what you might think, I do have a life of my own, Sophie.” David walked toward the small counter that divided the living room and kitchen and leaned against it.

Sophie stood and smoothed the hair leading to her blond ponytail. Her severe look was used to intimidate, and he knew it. He would have to handle her patiently if he wanted to get her to leave.

She sauntered over to stand in front of him. “There’s no need to be cross, David. I just wanted to talk to you, to make sure we’re on the same page with our arrangement. I don’t want any nasty surprises while I’m in Glasgow.”

David folded his arms defensively. “So, what would you have me do? Spend every moment away from you alone in my apartment? That’s not exactly fair.”

“I’m not saying that, darling. I just want to be sure that you are spending your time wisely and not jeopardizing what we have worked so hard for.” She stood on her toes and kissed his cheek.

David stared into her icy blue eyes. “I was having drinks with a friend, not gallivanting around, not that it’s any of your business.”

Sophie smirked and turned to go, then swiveled back to face him. “That friend wouldn’t happen to be that woman from the gala at the Festival Hall now, would it?”

David uncrossed his arms and straightened. The anger rolled inside of him. “Are you having me followed now, as well?”

Sophie shot him a smile devoid of any sweetness. “Let’s just say that I am aware of your activities, David. It would be wise for you to choose your friends with care.”

She strolled to the door and opened it. “I’ll be in touch, love.” She stepped through the door and disappeared from sight.

David walked briskly to the door and slammed it. The nerve of that woman! Did she really think she could control every aspect of his life with her threats? She and her family were powerful, sure. But would she really make his career suffer if he didn’t play along with her rules?

Angrily, he walked into the bathroom, turned on the faucet and splashed water onto his face. He examined his features in the mirror. Sophie had left an outline of her lips in lipstick across his cheek. He grabbed a washcloth and rubbed the imprint away, his good mood from earlier totally ruined.

First thing tomorrow, he was having his locks changed.

Chapter Four

David plucked a T-shirt from his closet and slipped it over his head as he yawned, having woken later than usual. It was a good thing he wasn’t due at the theater for another hour.

He had been up late, talking on the phone with Kristin. Despite Sophie’s warning last week, he’d been spending time with his new “friend” as often as possible.

Probably not the smartest thing for him to do, because he really wasn’t sure what Sophie was capable of anymore. But, she was still in Glasgow, for the time being.

David hurriedly ran his hand through his hair and walked into the kitchen. His mind screamed at him for a cup of coffee to function properly. Yawning again, he grabbed his cup from the counter and poured the dark liquid to the top. One cream, two sugars, and he was well on his way to caffeinated bliss.

As the coffee warmed his body, David turned to the laptop that sat on the counter to his left. Might as well check his e-mail while he had a spare moment.

He hadn’t checked his e-mail for a few days, so things had piled up a bit. Sifting through the junk, he clicked the delete button repeatedly. Then he saw a message marked confidential from Sophie, and his heart skipped a beat. Whatever she had to say probably wasn’t pleasant. Sighing, he opened the message.

David Darling,

I’m afraid I was cornered by a reporter from that dreaded mag The Sun while on location the other day. Some of the questions turned personal, as they are wont to do, so I had to improvise on the spot. I’m sending you an advance copy. It’s due to be published in tomorrow’s paper, so you might have to contend with some reporters of your own, wanting a response.

Kisses,

Sophie

David craned his neck, the muscles suddenly tight with tension. “That’s just bleeding wonderful.”

This wouldn’t be good, at least for him as Sophie had never been unprepared for any kind of interview. Her agent was as ruthless as she was. He clicked the attachment and perused the article.

…
Much speculation abounded around the movie lot where English actress Sophie Miller is filming her first major movie role in Glasgow. Are they, or aren’t they? With her fiancé David McDougal spending most of his time away from her, is everything hunky-dory with their relationship?

Well, we have been assured personally here at The Sun that all is well. Miss Miller confirmed that wedding plans are underway with the nuptials scheduled to take place sometime soon after she completes the filming of her movie.

When asked if the couple had any plans to start a family any time soon after the wedding, the actress replied…

David stopped reading and actually felt the color drain from his face. Was Sophie off her rocker? Why had she told them all those lies? After this article hit the stands, his and Bernard’s phones would never be silent, because all the other tabloids would want a response.

He closed the laptop and searched his living room for his cell phone. Finding it on the coffee-table, he quickly punched in Sophie’s number. Her voicemail answered.
Bloody Hell.
Of course she would be unavailable, when he wanted to speak with her.

He tossed the phone on the counter. It skidded across the surface and crashed into the computer with a crack. He still had to finish getting ready for the theater. Kristin had agreed to meet him there later, and then they were supposed to attend a movie and possibly nosh somewhere. How was he going to explain Sophie’s actions this time?

~~~

Kristin hummed as she sat in her office, working on her computer. Everything looked liked her paintings. Vivid colors swirled around her, food tasted better, and smells seemed sharper. Tasks as mundane as paying the gallery’s bills even took little joy out of her mood.

Meeting David for drinks, eating lunch together, and talking on the phone with him every day replaced the loneliness. It seemed she wanted to trust him and sharing her life seemed so natural.

Kristin found David’s company both easy and exciting at the same time. They liked a lot of the same things, and David had a way of making her laugh until she couldn’t breathe sometimes.

James had made her laugh every day they’d had together, right until the end. Of course, Kristin dealt with her physical attraction to David, by channeling the energy into her artwork. Battling that chemistry left her exhausted most days, but the trade off was definitely worth the war. She hadn’t been so happy and creative in years.

The computer was busy saving the file she worked on when a small rap on the office door startled her. Immediately, the door opened and Ingrid walked in, promptly falling into one of the chairs situated on the opposite side of the desk. Her friend wore a navy blue suit and red pumps, making Kristin guess she had just come from a meeting at work.

“Blimey, but you’re difficult to get in touch with these days,” Ingrid narrowed her brow in Kristin’s direction.

“Am I?” Kristin tried to appear innocent while she shuffled some papers on the desk. “I guess I have been pretty busy. I’ve”

Ingrid raised her hand. “Don’t give me that, Kristin. I know you’ve been spending quite a lot of time with that David McDougal bloke.” Ingrid’s voice reeked of disapproval.

Kristin cleared her throat as nervous prickles danced along her spine before she steeled herself to meet Ingrid’s gaze. “There’s nothing wrong with spending time with a friend. How did you know, anyway?”

Ingrid raised her eyebrows. “Is that what you two are, friends? And, I didn’t know. I guessed.”

Is that indeed all that they were? Sure, she had agreed with him that anything more was out of the question right now, but as she spent more and more time with the attractive Scotsman, Kristin wasn’t sure either she or he believed that anymore.

“That’s all we are, Ingrid. Friends.” Kristin’s voice grew softer as she spoke, since she was less sure of the truth of her words. She hoped Ingrid hadn’t noticed.

Ingrid shook her head back and forth. “I can tell by the look in your eyes that you don’t even believe that yourself, so why on Earth would you expect me to?”

Kristin dropped her gaze. Ingrid could always see Kristin’s true emotions, a trait that was both a blessing and a curse. That was why Kristin had been avoiding her. She knew Ingrid would be able to see her true desires, which would make it harder to keep his secret. “He makes me happy, Ingrid. Happier than I’ve been in a very long time.”

Ingrid reached across the desk and squeezed Kristin’s hand. “I know he does, love. I can see it all over your face. But why would you let yourself care about someone who is engaged to be married to another woman?”

Why, indeed. Kristin toyed with the idea of letting Ingrid know about the fake engagement, but decided it would put David too much at risk.

“It’s complicated.” Kristin absently fidgeted with a pen on her desk.

Ingrid let go of Kristin’s hand and leaned back in her chair. “It’s not like you to shut me out like this. Why won’t you talk to me?”

Kristin wanted to open up to her friend, she did. Ingrid had been the one person she had really learned to trust since James died. But the timing and the situation weren’t right just now. Kristin swallowed and managed to meet Ingrid’s concerned gaze. “I love you and appreciate your concern. But we’re just friends. Don’t worry, okay?”

Sighing, Ingrid stood and fluffed her short hair. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt, that’s all.”

“I’ll be fine,” Kristin told her. “I can take care of myself. I know what I’m doing.”

“If you say so, love.” Her friend headed for the door and then turned around as she grasped the doorknob. “Take care, and bloody well ring me soon, all right?”

Kristin chuckled softly. Ingrid always knew how to lighten the situation. “All right.”

Ingrid left Kristin alone with her thoughts. Of course she was in denial over David, but she just didn’t care. Being with him made her feel like she was the only person in the world that mattered. Surrender of that sentiment would not come easily.

Coming out of her reverie, Kristin glanced at the clock. She was due to meet David at his theater rehearsal soon. They were going to grab a bite to eat and see a movie. Shaking off her encounter with Ingrid with a cleansing breath, Kristin prepared to leave.

Her clothes were deliberately more casual today, jeans and a white blouse, knowing she would be leaving early to spend time with David. And, because the new pair of jeans really made her legs look long. After making sure Celia had what was needed for the rest of the day, Kristin headed for her car.

The afternoon was a bit muggy, but Kristin barely noticed as she weaved in and out of traffic on her way to the Royal National Theatre. David was the lead in a play called
The Pillowman
.

The show had received rave reviews and often sold out. Since one of the other actors had come down with the flu, David was running through some lines with the understudy this afternoon at the theater.

Looking ahead, the theater loomed into view. The building’s multi-level stone and glass structure looked modern and angular, not like what you’d picture a London theater to be at all. In the daylight, the theater seemed almost ordinary, without all the crowds and noise that flooded the place most evenings.

She parked the car and headed for the door. The large main lobby was completely empty, except for members of the janitorial staff busy with their duties. The men and women didn’t pay attention to her as she walked past them to the main theater entrance where David was rehearsing.

Even though the house lights were up, the room was still darker than the lobby, the light swallowed up by the mahogany-paneled walls. Standing still, Kristin imagined society women with their long silk dresses sweeping into the room, sitting stately on the dark wine velvet covered chairs. The ornate interior looked like it belonged in a different time and place. This was how she’d pictured a London theater, not the mass of grey stone and sharp angles that was on the outside.