Chapter21
Tori sat at her old wooden desk, paying bills. The opening was quickly approaching and excitement was her constant companion. The theater was alive with talking and laughing and people moving about, doing their jobs, getting everything ready. The feeling she had now was like an old friend visiting her. It was almost how she felt right before opening night, when she was still acting.
An exhilarating energy pulsed through the theater. Actors ran through their lines. Technicians tested the lights and sound system one more time. She paused her task and just soaked in the thrumming energy around her. This. This was exactly what she’d hoped for when she purchased the theater.
It was perfect. Almost perfect. She still had to tell Gavin about her stage career. But he’d understand, and they’d work things out. He understood her. Knew the person she was now. Didn’t he?
She turned back to the bills, glad that soon more money would be coming in to pay for the expenses. They were sold out for opening night, though, and that thrilled her as well as humbled her. The town’s support meant so much to her.
She flipped over from her bill-paying screen on her laptop to a new tab and searched for the Southwest Florida Life magazine website. She hoped the article was out and the publicity would help get people from the mainland over to see the shows like they had when she was a girl. The theater had been a big draw with cars lining up at the ferry to come over to Magnolia Key for the productions.
She found the link to the site and clicked on it. There, on the front page of the website, was the article with a large photo of the theater and… a photo of her from her last stage performance. She sat back in horror as the headline screamed her past back into plain sight for all to see.
Broadway Legend Victoria Duran’s Big Comeback.
She closed her eyes briefly and drew in a big breath. She opened them again and read the whole article, word for word. Her hand trembled as she scrolled down the page. Rather than discuss the restoration of the historic theater like Felicity had implied, the article highlighted her Broadway career. Felicity had never let on that she knew her real identity. That Tori was Victoria. Never said that was the angle she was using for her article. Felicity had been so sweet and nice.
But what Felicity had done was use her to get her big scoop. Tell the world where Victoria Duran was hiding.
Tori sat back in her chair, her body tense as despair flooded through her. Her secret was out. Her safe little haven far from the lights and chaos of Broadway was gone. Now everyone would know that plain old Tori was actually Victoria Duran, star of the stage. The sheltered, quiet life she’d built for herself here on the island was shattered. She’d be back in the spotlight of unforgiving public scrutiny.
Gavin had been right to distrust Felicity and her intentions. So very right. And she’d been so very, very wrong. She was blinded by her desire for publicity for the theater. She should have listened to his warning words instead of brushing them off so quickly and indifferently.
She had no idea how this would affect the opening. How would the people in town react to the news? She’d felt like she was just starting to belong here. Now she’d broken their trust. And what would Gavin think when he heard the truth about her past and the fact she’d hidden it from him?
The carefully crafted, safe world she’d created here on Magnolia Key exploded around her like a hurricane, leaving ruin in its wake.
She scanned the article again, taking small comfort in the fact that it didn’t mention anything about the real reason she’d left the stage. At least that secret was safe and her niece, Chloe, was still protected. Unless some other reporter dug up the whole truth…
Gavin worked on the brakes on one of the rental bikes, adjusting them with practiced skill. He stood up and stretched, rubbing the kinks out of his lower back. He really should go over to the theater and see if Tori needed anything. Their date last night had been better than he’d imagined. And he could still feel the soft pressure of Tori’s lips on his. And, to be honest, he’d like another kiss or two. A slight smile tugged at his lips as he shook his head wryly. Who would have thought that he would be falling for a woman again at his age andafterhe’d sworn off dating?
The creak of the front door drew his attention. Miss Eleanor walked in, looking concerned as she strode over toward him. “Gavin, we should talk.”
“Miss Eleanor, what brings you here?” As far as he knew, she’d never stepped inside his shop before and was fairly certain she wasn’t here to rent a bike.
“I wanted to show you something. Maybe you already know. But if not… I’d rather you hear it from me.”
“What is it?” He frowned. Miss Eleanor wasn’t one for dramatics, so he was concerned about the worried look in her eyes.
“The article came in Southwest Florida Life.”
He frowned. “So, it wasn’t flattering about the renovations? She didn’t think we did a good job? What?” He heard the defensiveness in his tone.
“Here.” She pushed her phone into his hands and he stared down at the screen at the headline.
Broadway Legend Victoria Duran’s Big Comeback.
He frowned when he saw the photo of someone who looked very similar to Tori. Shock hurtled through him when he enlarged it. Anger started to simmer, then boil as he confirmed it was unmistakably Tori. He scanned the article in disbelief.
Tori wasn’t just Tori. She was a big-time actress on Broadway. And she’d hidden that fact from him. Even after he’d told her what happened with Anna. Or maybe because of it. He’d thought he could trust her, but he couldn’t if she could keep a huge secret like this from him.
He thought back on last night. How foolish and naive he’d been. He hadn’t been out on a date with Tori, he’d been on a date with her persona, the character she was playing with him.
He handed Miss Eleanor back her phone. “Thanks,” he said tersely. “Appreciate finding out from you.”
“So you didn’t know either?” Miss Eleanor nodded slowly, her eyes searching his face. “I thought you would have told me if you knew the truth.”
“Nope, I didn’t know.” The words hung between them like a brittle icicle. The realization that he didn’t really know Tori punched him in the gut.
