"I've been busy."
"I'm in between shoots now, so I was thinking we could spend the rest of the weekend together."
"Not possible. I have plans with my son." He wasn't exactly lying.
"Why not bring him along?" She selected another sugar pastry and nibbled delicately. "We could go sailing on your speed boat. I would love to meet the little man."
He grimaced at her wording and decided that David would dislike her instantly. His son was very intuitive for his age.
"I'm afraid that's not possible." Determinedly prying her fingers loose from his arm, he handed her the plate that he had yet to partake of. "And I must leave. I want to tuck him in." Striding away before she could stop him again, he scanned the room looking for Althea. When he didn't spot her, he felt the acute disappointment but did not have time to reflect on it.
Finding his mother and sister, he said his goodbyes and went out into the parking lot. He was about to hand the valet his key fob when his eyes caught the faint glow inside the gazebo. The moon with the aid of the powerful lights strewn along the perimeter allowed him to see the woman seated on one of the benches. He recognized her instantly.
Shaking his head at the valet who had rushed towards him, he made his way across the lot towards her.
She looked up in surprise, and he had the fleeting impression that she was pleased it was him.
"Hiding out?"
"Something like that."
"You smoke."
"Something I picked up in France." She plucked the cigar out and studied it before crushing it into an ashtray. She had kicked off her heels and had her feet tucked under her. Her jacket was covering her bottom half. "I only indulge when I'm overwhelmed or tired. It's relaxing." She tilted her head up to stare at him. "You're leaving."
Lowering himself next to her, he stretched his legs out. The view was spectacular. The place was well maintained. The gazebo faced the lake and the tinkle of water made for a very pleasant sound. Flowers bloomed in profusion on either side of it.
"I like to look in on David before I turn in."
"You sound like a very good dad," she mused. "I remember how my dad used to come in from the firm and read us stories. It wouldn't matter how late he was home. I loved hearing his voice. It was deep and melodic." She laughed softly. "He would make all these impressions, changing his voice to match the characters. He was very good."
"I liked them, your parents," he murmured, leaning back and curving his hand around the back of the seat, his fingers just inches from her neck.
"They liked you too."
He nodded and turned his head to stare at her. "You should have called, Thea."
She felt the familiar knot inside her stomach. She had seen when the actress cornered him. The instinctive urge to march over and tear out her hair had her bolting for some solace. "I shouldhave," she agreed. "I just did not know what to say. You were grieving."
"I still am," he pointed out. "I loved her."
Her heart twisted even more.
"She must have been a hell of a woman for you to carry the torch for so long."
"She was." He was surprised that for the first time he could talk about her without feeling as if he wanted to die.
Chapter 3
They sat there in silence for a minute before he spoke again. "You cut your hair."
One hand rose to touch the tapered back self-consciously.
"I did."
"You had long beautiful hair." He turned his head to study her face. "It suits your face."
"It was a trial deciding what to do with it. I wanted to keep it natural, but it took a lot of work."
