“You are not allowed to buy it. I don’t want you to have it.” When he moved to raise the other, she grabbed it too before anyone could notice. Leaning in toward his ear, she went to whisper for him to stop being ridiculous. Her hands held his in his lap and he responded to her touch. His erection was obvious as it strained against his pants. She inhaled deeply against his neck, inhaling his masculine scent. “Oh god,” Sophie moaned in appreciation. Why did I just say that? He smells so good! She swept her lips over the soft skin of his neck before she could process what she was doing. He leaned in toward her, but she retreated quickly, pulling her hands away from his. Sophie immediately chastised herself for how that would have looked to everyone at the table. Marilyn had a confused look on her face. Luckily, Margaret seemed unaware of their exchange.
Sophie forced a smile when Margaret turned to acknowledge her, placing her hand gently upon Sophie’s shoulder. “Your painting was a big hit. You have a bright future ahead of you.” Sophie didn’t know who had made the final bid because she had been fantasizing about running her tongue along Ashton’s remarkable skin. She had completely blocked out the happenings around her. She could feel Ashton’s eyes on her but she refused to look at him for the remainder of the auction.
When the bidding was done, Margaret was swept into endless conversations from those who sought her. Some faces Sophie recognized from mingling earlier and others were new. She exchanged pleasantries and joined in the conversation occasionally but she was feeling too drained to enjoy herself.
“Goodness me, I forgot that you weren’t feeling well.” Sophie was unusually quiet but not because she felt ill. It was because she practically crawled into Ashton’s lap when only a short time before told him she couldn’t do this. Great, now it’s me that’s sending the mixed signals.
“I’ll be fine, don’t worry about me.” Sophie tried to dismiss Margaret’s concern. “It will pass.”
“Ashton, can you take Sophie home?” Margaret turned to Ashton when they approached. Marilyn was still hanging off his arm like she was scared to let him go.
“I’m fine, Margaret,” Sophie interrupted. “Really, I am. I would much rather stay and see you home.”
“You need to take care of yourself or you are no good to me.” Margaret smiled teasingly.
“We’re leaving now anyway,” Ashton offered.
“What if you need me for something?” Sophie asked Margaret. If she was being honest with herself, leaving with Ashton terrified her.
“Nonsense. I’m just going to gossip for a while. I’ll get a ride home with Betty.” Margaret wrapped her arms around Sophie in a warm embrace. “You should know the gentleman who bought your painting is well-known in the art industry.” Margaret winked.
“Really?” Sophie’s eyes widened.
“Now go.” Margaret chuckled. “Let us old people talk.”
Sophie held onto the excitement that surfaced with Margaret’s news. It was much better than trying to shuffle through the chaos that plagued her when it came to her current thoughts of Ashton. Sophie left the dining hall and quickly exited the building. She was trying to avoid any more awkwardness with Ashton.
“Have a good evening.” The doorman opened the door for her as she approached. When the night air hit her it was very refreshing. She took a few deep calming breaths to settle her nerves. Sophie could feel her shoulders tense when Ashton and Marilyn’s voices neared. She turned and offered a tentative wave. “I’m just going to grab a cab. Good night, Marilyn, it was nice meeting you. Have a good evening.” Spinning, she headed toward the line of cabs waiting on the side of the street.
“Sophie,” Ashton called after her. Turning, Sophie noticed his approach.
“I need to just go home and clear my head. It’s not good for me to be with you right now. Go with your date. She’s waiting for you.” Sophie opened the door and climbed into the car before he had the chance to respond. She looked back up at him through the door window. His expression was wounded, making her insides twist uncomfortably. Remember, distance equals safety.
On the ride home Sophie couldn’t help but scroll through all the texts from Ashton when he was posing as Jack. She wondered if his words held any truth among the lies.
Chapter Nineteen
When Sophie arrived home, her mind was too restless to consider sleep, despite the late hour. Instead, she spent her hours on her mother’s dress, sewing all the intricate handwork. She worked until her fingers were sore and her eyes were heavy. Concentrating on her needlework kept her mind busy. She didn’t want to think about how Ashton tasted when his lips were on hers, how his body responded to her, or her own undeniable attraction to him. She was managing just fine until “Don’t Cha” by the Pussycat Dolls came on. She jumped from her seat and turned off the music. She was too tired to relive that moment.
When the first rays of morning light started filtering into her apartment, Mel came barrelling in covered in sparkles. “Good night…or technically good morning,” she called to Dustin, who remained on the threshold of Sophie’s apartment.
“Hey Dustin!” Sophie called to him.
“Morning, Sophie!” He waved politely. “Lock this door behind me,” he insisted before closing the door.
“Yes, sir.” Mel chuckled before flipping the lock. He was becoming a regular occurrence in Mel’s life and Sophie was happy she was finally interested in a well-rounded guy.
“You look like hell,” Mel said as she turned on Sophie. “Did you sleep at all?” Mel hung up her purse on the hook by the door. Most of Mel’s daily things were now in Sophie’s apartment. She had been staying with Sophie since the night Corbin came to the club. She alternated between sleeping on Sophie’s sofa to making Sophie share her bed. “Hello, Sophie?” Mel tilted her head. “Earth to Sophie.”
“I didn’t sleep…but I think I am now. I just haven’t realized it yet. I was working on Mom’s dress all night.”
“Wow! Did you ever. Looking at that dress makes me want to get married.” Mel looked closely at the lacework.
“Bed now?” Sophie asked.
“Yes. I’m tired from shaking my awesome booty.” Mel laughed.
As soon as Sophie placed her head on the pillow she felt herself drifting.
“Sophie?” Mel whispered. “I put my notice in tonight.” Sophie opened her eyes and smiled. “I want to do better for myself.”
“I’m proud of you. What are you going to do?”
“Get a job where I get to keep my clothes on.” Mel giggled.
“Good start.” Sophie smiled and closed her eyes.
“Thank you for making me want to do better for myself.”
“You deserve the best.”
***
When Sophie arrived at the restaurant later that afternoon she readied herself for the supper rush that would soon fill the restaurant. She had slept the entire morning with Mel curled up beside her. When they both woke up they ate leftover pizza while Mel scanned the “Help Wanted” ads in the paper. She had found a couple she was interested in and was eager to start the process. Sophie wondered if Dustin had anything to do with her new outlook. Their phone calls had become a regular thing and Mel seemed quite taken with him. Mel excitedly told Sophie that Dustin had been accepted into the police force and he was starting his training next month. Her eyes always lit up when she spoke of him. Sophie hoped with all her heart that this new road would lead to Mel’s happiness. At least her outlook on police officers was bound to change if she was dating one.
Sophie’s customers covered everything from families with small children to groups of rowdy men, drinking their fill of beer and watching the game on the televisions that were suspended from the ceiling. The restaurant was large and consisted of a bar section and a dining room where the families normally gravitated. Though, on busy nights people took seats wherever they could get them and the bar crowd normally spilled over into the dining section. Sophie was normally in the bar area; she had her regular customers that usually requested her and Friday nights brought many familiar faces.