Masquerade (11 page)

“How did you know about that?”

Phoebe laughed down the phone. “Oh honey, you know I
always
know everything that’s going on.”

Sophie’s heart skipped a beat. Had Phoebe somehow found out about the night she and Alex had spent together? She’d thought she’d put Phoebe off the scent after the first day Alex turned up in the emergency ward.

Sophie’s mind drifted back to when she and Phoebe had taken their trip away at the beginning of the year. Phoebe had questioned her about New Year’s Eve but she’d managed to change the subject without too much effort. It was fortunate all Phoebe wanted to talk about was what had happened to
her
, and Sophie was glad to let her ramble on. Even now, all Phoebe talked about was the fun she was having with John. Hopefully all Phoebe’s comment meant was just to tease her.

“So then you can tell me just how formal I need to be. Al — umm Dr. Scavoni told me the dress was formal but that was it. You know what guys are like. They never take in all the pertinent details.”

“Your wish is my command. I’ll help you find the perfect outfit. We’ll meet outside House of Heather at eleven. Ciao, bella.”

She laughed as she hung up the phone. Sometimes it was impossible to get a word in edgeways with her best friend. It was one of the reasons she loved her dearly.

She glanced at her bedside clock and gave a little yelp when she saw the time. Trust Phoebe to call her at the last minute. Scheduling her time wasn’t Phoebe’s strongest point.

She rushed through a shower and dressed in double quick time. Scooping an apple from her fruit bowl, she raced out the door and called for the elevator. Luck was on her side and it opened straightaway. She hit the button for the parking garage and willed for an express trip down. She groaned silently when she’d only traveled two floors down and the lift stopped. She moved to the back to let the new occupant enter. She choked on her apple when she saw who it was.

Alex.

Luck was being cruel to her again.

“Morning,” she mumbled to him as she swallowed her mouthful.

“Morning, Sophia, did you sleep well?” he asked as the lift doors swished shut.

Her mind whirled at what he’d called her. Alex hadn’t called her Sophia since their night together. He certainly hadn’t used it at work.

She almost brought the apple to her mouth to avoid having to speak to him, but she thought that too petty.

“Yes, I did. Thanks.” She let her eyes rove over him. He was outfitted in jogging clothes and her mouth went dry as she looked at his strong, muscular legs and arms, indicating he worked out on a regular basis. She was surprised she hadn’t noticed it before. But then again, they hadn’t bothered too much with lighting their one night together.

“Should be a nice morning for a run,” she said to break the silence that had stretched between them.

The lift doors opened again and another resident entered giving her a reprieve from having to make small talk with Alex.

They reached the ground floor and as the doors opened, Alex bent forward and once again placed a kiss on her cheek. It was becoming a habit she found she could get used to.

“See you tonight. I’ll pick you up at six-thirty.” He walked out of the lift leaving her spellbound and with no chance to rebuke his claim they were going to travel to the dinner together.

The doors closed and her last glimpse of Alex was of his taut backside in jogging shorts, an image that was indelibly etched in her mind as she drove into the city to meet Phoebe.

“About time you showed up,” her friend said when Sophie met her at the clothes store.

Sophie glanced at her watch. It was a minute past eleven. She rolled her eyes. “You’re a real comedian, Phoebs. Your talents are wasted at the hospital.”

“No, my talents are well used at the hospital and you know it.” Phoebe linked her arm through Sophie’s.

It was true. Phoebe’s comedic tone often helped the patients take their minds off their injuries. It didn’t always work, but when it did, it made the patients easier to deal with.

“Yes, Phoebe, you’re very talented. Now let’s go shopping.”

Four hours later Sophie sank gratefully into the chair of the outdoor café. She placed her myriad packages on the spare seat.

“I can’t believe you made me spend that much money,” Sophie groaned.

“It’s worth it, Soph, you’ll look gorgeous tonight. You’ll knock everyone off their feet.”

Doubts seeped into her body. The dress they’d chosen was nothing to look at on the hanger but when it was on her body, it revealed her curves and hinted at her cleavage.

“I’m not sure that’s really the impression I should give. I mean, it’s a dinner to welcome the new CEO, not one of my father’s endless charity balls he expects me to attend.”

“Bah,” Phoebe snorted. “I’m guessing everyone will want to impress him. The head of surgery’s wife is bound to be wearing something cut down to her navel and split up to where it’s almost obscene.”

Sophie had to admit she had a point. There were always bets being laid to see what Viola would wear. She’d no doubt flirt outrageously with the new CEO and Alex. It was standard form for her. But then again, with a husband like Jerome it was no doubt she tried to look for attention elsewhere. Jerome’s mind was always on the surgical department.

“You have a point. I should stop worrying, but I just can’t help it.”

She sat back to let the waiter deliver the drinks they’d ordered. She took a sip of the cool liquid, enjoying the feel of it as it moistened her parched throat.

“So I wonder who Dr.-eyes-to-die-for-Scavoni will be bringing tonight.”

Sophie was grateful she had swallowed her drink before Phoebe spoke. “Dr. who?” she spluttered out.

“Oh please, don’t tell me you haven’t noticed his eyes. Every nurse in the entire department has been drooling all week, wondering how they can make those dark, chocolate eyes melt just for them. But alas,” Phoebe dramatically threw her forearm over her eyes. “He only has eyes for work and no one else.”

If only Phoebe knew that Sophie knew exactly how to make his eyes melt. And that she’d done it on quite a few occasions.

“I’m sure he’d be really happy to hear that. I’d much rather a dedicated director of emergency than a flirtatious one. It makes my job easier and I don’t have to mend any broken hearts in my nursing staff.” She glanced down at her watch. “Whoa, is that the time? I need to get home and hang this dress so the creases fall out. Not to mention do something with my hair.”

Phoebe downed the rest of her drink and stood. “Come on, Cinderella. I shall be your fairy godmother and help you get dressed for the ball.”

Panic set in and her palms grew sweaty. What if Phoebe saw Alex at her apartment building? What if she was still there when Alex came to pick her up? If only she had his phone number to tell him not to bother, that as she said last night, she would make her own way.

But when Phoebe had an idea, it was impossible to shake her out of it. She’d have to take the risk that she could get Phoebe out of her house by six at the latest.

“Come on, Sophie, you don’t want to keep everyone waiting.”

“We came in separate cars, Phoebe. You don’t have to wait for me.”

“Well, that’s where you’re wrong,” Phoebe said smugly. “I caught the train in. I’ll call for a taxi from your place when you leave.”

Sophie had to stifle the groan that threatened to erupt from her. There was no way now Phoebe wasn’t going to see Alex when he came to pick her up. She could only hope that together they could fool Phoebe into believing they were merely work colleagues who happened to live in the same building, and realized the sense in traveling in one car to the dinner. And she just saw a pig taking flight above her.

She picked up her packages and shoved them toward Phoebe. “Here, you made me buy half this stuff. You can carry it.”

She set off in the direction of where her car was parked. With her mind on the traffic and the upcoming evening, she managed to tune out Phoebe’s inane chatter.

As they pulled into her building’s undercover parking area, Sophie’s cell phone trilled in her handbag.

“Do you want me to grab that?” asked Phoebe.

Some instinct was telling Sophie it was Alex on the other end of the phone. There was no way she was going to let Phoebe answer it.

“No, it’s fine. It’s probably my dad wanting to find out how my week was. I’ll call him tomorrow. I usually do.”

Her reply satisfied Phoebe and the sound of the phone abruptly stopped as Sophie pulled into her car bay.

They extracted the parcels from the backseat and headed toward the lift.

Fate was obviously on her side this time as the lift was empty when she and Phoebe entered it. They had a nonstop trip to her floor as well.

“Help yourself to any food in the fridge while I shower,” Sophie said as she tossed her handbag on the couch.

Nerves were starting to flutter in her stomach like tiny butterflies. There was so much at stake with this one simple dinner. Sophie stood under the shower and let the water pound down on her. She had to make sure no one suspected she and Alex had more than just a professional relationship. No one must know they’d shared a passionate night together. She had to make sure Alex understood this. Her career was her life now. She didn’t want to jeopardize it in any way.

As Sophie dried off, she thought she really wasn’t in any position to demand anything. She was probably worrying over nothing. There was no way Alex wanted anyone to know about their past liaison. Well, she hoped he didn’t.

After securing her hair in a style that looked complicated but was easy to handle, she applied her makeup with deft hands. The smoky gray eye shadow she’d used was a perfect foil to the midnight blue of her dress.

“I thought I was supposed to be helping you?” Phoebe’s voice sounded behind her.

Sophie twirled and almost lost her footing. “Don’t ever sneak up on a girl while she’s trying to put three inch heels on.”

“Why didn’t you call me to help you get into your dress? Or help you do your hair? It’s why I came back.”

Guilt flooded through Sophie at the hurt tone in Phoebe’s voice. She was so used to dealing with events like this that she’d gone into autopilot.

“Sorry, Phoebs. I just go into, I don’t know, a trance I guess. I do what I have to do and I’ve done it so many times it’s now automatic.” She tried to lighten the moment and held out her foot Cinderella style. “Would you mind doing up my shoes? I don’t want to crease the dress unnecessarily.”

Phoebe’s mouth twitched and it wasn’t long before the both of them were laughing. “You’re too much, Princess Sophie.”

“I know, but you love me.”

Phoebe finished tightening the shoes and straightened, giving Sophie a hug. “Absolutely and I’m always here if you need me.”

There was something in Phoebe’s tone that drew her attention. But she was prevented from delving further by the ringing of the doorbell.

All at once, the small butterflies had grown into monsters. She clenched her stomach in an attempt to stop them from overtaking her.

“Do you want me to get it?” asked Phoebe.

What she really wanted to do was to keep Phoebe as far away from the front door as possible. But, inevitably, Phoebe would find out who exactly was picking her up and escorting her to dinner.

“Sure, I need to sort out my bag. Thanks, Phoebs.” She paused briefly. “For everything.”

Sophie watched as Phoebe rushed off to open the door as the bell sounded again. She transferred her cell phone, house keys, small purse, and lipstick to her evening bag. She gave herself one last look in the mirror and went out to greet Alex. She figured it would be him at the door but the high-pitched “
Dr. Scavoni
?” that came from Phoebe confirmed it for her.

She walked into her living room and her heart skipped a beat. She’d forgotten how handsome Alex looked in formal wear. She’d had a lot of experience seeing men in tuxedos, but Alex … he was the best she’d ever seen.

Their eyes met and held. She could see the fire burning in the depths and an answering fire lit in her belly, smashing the butterflies to smithereens.

She was in trouble.

“Umm, I think, ummm I’ll go.” The words stammered out of Phoebe. It was enough to break the spell between her and Alex.

Sophie realized she had said nothing since walking into the room. “Hi, Alex, thanks so much for offering to pick me up.”

She winced inwardly at the superficial tone of her words.

“Believe me when I say the pleasure is all mine.” He then turned his attention to Phoebe. “Hello again, Phoebe, not on duty today?”

Seeing the speculative look in Phoebe’s eyes as she glanced between her and Alex was enough for Sophie to realize she wouldn’t get off lightly this time. Phoebe would dig and dig and dig until she’d uncovered every bit of information.

“Nope, Dr. Scavoni, off duty for the weekend.” Phoebe walked over to where she laid her bag. “Right then, I’ll be off. You kids have a good time, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

Phoebe sauntered over to Sophie and gave her brief hug, whispering in her ear. “You will phone me first thing in the morning. I want to know
everything
.”

With a waggle of her fingers, Phoebe let herself out.

The door snicked close. “You look beautiful, Sophia.”

Heat suffused her body, starting at the bottom of her neck and rising up to her cheeks. “Thank you. You look very handsome, too.”

He inclined his head and then started toward her, stopping a meter from her. He reached out and gently cupped her cheek. “It’s going to be a long night.”

She couldn’t deny it. It was true. To be so close to him and not be able to touch him was going to be the hardest thing she ever had to do.

“Yes.” She placed her hand over his, pressed quickly, then wrapped her fingers around his and pulled it away from her cheek. Coolness replaced the warmth his hand had generated. “Shall we go?”

He enfolded her arm into his bent one. “Your carriage awaits you, Cinderella.”

She had to laugh at the reference to Cinderella once again. It was as if he’d had some prior knowledge to her and Phoebe’s joking around from earlier in the day.