Chapter 10 #3
To her surprise, Kate burst out laughing. “I know. But that’s my inner superhero. I’m a grandma. Truly I am. I don’t know why the heck Mel thought I’d be a good substitute for her.”
Saphire nodded sagely. “Well, she obviously has faith in you, so you’d better start trying to deserve it.”
She scanned the blonde’s figure. “You’re shorter than I am, but otherwise I think we can make something of mine work.
Take that off.” She called over her shoulder as she moved to her suitcase in the corner.
She’d brought a few changes of clothes with her from her apartment on Mel’s advice.
You never know what might happen. Always be prepared!
And so she was. She lifted a cream dress out and held it aloft for Kate’s inspection.
“Um, no,” Kate shook her head. “It’ll make me look like a piece of paper.”
Saphire nodded. “Fair point.”
She lifted the next dress out, a gorgeous green prom dress. “No!” Kate laughed. “God, it’s way too fancy.”
“I’m afraid I only have fancy clothes,” Saphire murmured with a frown.
The final dress was the perfect shade of blue to flatter Kate’s eyes. Though it was low cut, it was long, which Kate approved of.
“Maybe,” she scrunched her nose up thoughtfully. “It could work.”
“Try it on. Quickly,” Saphire urged.
Kate took it and, with hands that weren’t quite steady, pulled it over her head. It fit perfectly, though if anything it was a little loose around the breasts.
“Sorry,” Saphire grinned. “I had it let out there.”
“I can see why!” Kate ran her hands over the fabric. “How does it look?”
Saphire stood back to appraise the other woman. “It’s good. But your hair …”
“I got caught in the rain, I know. It’s a mess.”
“Did it rain?” Saphire queried, already reaching for her straightening tongs. “I’ve been locked in here all day.”
“Yeah, just for a while.” Kate sighed. “It was beautiful. Don’t you love the smell of rain in the summer?”
“It’s almost autumn,” Saphire pointed out prosaically.
“You know what I mean.” Kate shrugged her slender shoulders.
“Yes, I think I do.” Saphire moved towards the doors. “I have to get back out there. Straighten your hair. Use any of my makeup you need. Remember, Mel’s counting on you.”
“Isn’t this a bit excessive?” Kate called to Saphire as she was almost beyond hearing.
Saphire clipped back and waited patiently for Kate to expand.
“Well, I’m a secretary. I’m going to get bid on by some guy looking for help transcribing his Christmas card guest list or listening to him dictate a novel,” she smothered a laugh. “Wouldn’t it be better if I look a bit … secretarial?”
“No.” Saphire’s voice was crisp. “Trust me, everyone on stage will look like they’re at a ball. Which you are. I’ll see you soon.”
She scanned the room and told herself she wasn’t looking for Rocco. But when she didn’t see him, her heart fell. He was a connection to Thaddeus, and for that reason alone he was important to her.
Rocco, however, had moved beyond the press of the elegant soiree to a more private balcony. He stared over the city and its twinkling lights with a sense of patriotism and pride that everyone felt of their own country at some time or another.
Thaddeus answered the call on the second ring.
“Rocco, ciao,” his voice was deep, as though he’d been sleeping.
“Thad. How are you?”
“Fine.”
“You sound like I’ve woken you up.”
“No.”
Rocco shook his head. “Am I keeping you from something else, then?”
Thaddeus stared at his laptop in frustration. “You could say that.”
“This is important.”
“Yes?” Thaddeus punched a key but the laptop was still frozen.
“I’ve just had an unexpected encounter with your married lover.”
Thaddeus froze. His mind swam. The unexpected pronouncement robbed him of breath. He felt as though he’d been kicked in the ribs. “Where?”
“In Rome. She’s organized a charity event I buy tickets to. You came with me a few years back. Do you recall?”
Thaddeus waved a hand through the air. His feelings were rioting through his body; his blood was simmering.
“How … how did she seem?”
“Good,” Rocco murmured. “She is still in love with you.”
Thaddeus closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair. “I doubt that.” Thoughts of their last encounter were burned into his mind. Her face. Her tears. The hurt in her face as she’d stared across at Cass.
“She certainly loved you then,” Rocco amended, and Thaddeus’s heart groaned.
“Well, which is it? Is she over me or not?”
“Hard to tell, and I’m not sure you care.”
Thaddeus tapped his fingers along the top of his desk. “I care,” he conceded finally. “I was … harder on her than I needed to be, in the end.”
“She’s living in Rome.”
Thaddeus frowned. “Why?”
“For work.”
What could he say? What should he do? “She’s just someone I used to know, Rocco. Why are you telling me this?”
Rocco shrugged. “I got the feeling it was more serious between the two of you.”
“No,” Thaddeus intoned flatly. “It was just sex.”
He disconnected the call angrily and stood from his desk. He needed to work, but all he could think about was Saphire. Beautiful, cheating, sexy, sweet, dangerous Saphire.