Page 51 of Seasons of Sin

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.