Second Chances (14 page)

She had so easily allowed her emotions to get away from her with regards to David. She shook her head and quickly shut the booklet. Maybe their talk later would help make sense of it all. But as the house lights dimmed, she wondered how she was going to hold it together throughout the evening.

~~~

David paced an uneasy path back and forth behind the stage curtain, his jumpy demeanor drawing a few curious looks from his fellow actors. Their sharp and sudden glances betrayed their confusion at his actions. It wasn’t like him to be jittery before a performance. Excited, yes. But, nervous? And this was even the last performance of this run of the play, so it wasn’t like he hadn’t done this exact character multiple times already.

But things had been different for him lately
he
had been different. Life no longer seemed stifling and hopeless—the way Sophie had made it. Ever since that day at Kristin’s flat, he’d changed. For the first time in a long time, he’d felt freedom.

His mind wandered to those moments where his lips were pressed to hers, and how her body molded perfectly to his own. He could have easily made love to her right there on her couch, taking all the feminine delights she had to offer, but that would have been wrong, and they would have both regretted it later.

How ridiculous he must have seemed afterward, asking her to make a decision when he hadn’t even made one himself. Having his “engagement” to Sophie as an obstacle was absurd. A lie that could easily ruin this chance he might have at true happiness.

David shook his head to clear it and the director called out the five minute warning. Quickly, David crossed to the curtain and scanned the crowd once last time. His heart did a little leap when he saw Kristin seated in the third row.

She glowed in a light pink strapless evening gown, as her dark hair spilled over her shoulders. How lucky he was to have found her, someone easy to be with and to love.

He jerked back from the curtain.
Love?
Had he fallen in love with Kristin?

Surely he hadn’t lost control of his heart as well as his libido! David peeked through the curtain again, spying on her as she thumbed through the program and then shut it quickly. Her dark eyes, wide and bright, darted around the theater, and David’s breath caught in his throat.

He
had
fallen in love with Kristin, despite his best efforts to convince himself otherwise. Her easy demeanor allowed him to be himself. No pretenses, no image concerns. No one had ever touched his heart and soul so completely, so effortlessly.

Their circumstances were less than ideal, but he knew in his heart that he had to find the strength to make things right. He’d let Sophie rule his life. It was time for him to stand up for himself, make a clean break, and start over.

Whatever Sophie threw at him, he could weather it. He could only pray Sophie wouldn’t go after Kristin.

Would Kristin even be willing to embark on that journey with him, decide to take the next plunge in their relationship? It wouldn’t be easy, but he had to try.

The lights dimmed, and David took his place waiting for the curtain to rise.

~~~

The dark and brooding play left Kristin mesmerized. David’s ability to bring out the emotions of his character was absolutely brilliant. Her heart ripped from her chest at times with a mere glance from his chocolate-brown eyes.

The grief David could convey actually made it hard for her to sit still, and she fidgeted in her seat repeatedly. His talent had always been apparent, she had seen that fact in the rehearsal, but she’d had no idea just how talented until now.

As the theater erupted in a cacophony of applause at the conclusion of the performance, it was obvious that everyone else saw the truth of David’s talent, too. She stood and clapped as loudly as she could as the actors returned to the stage for their curtain call. When David stepped forward to bow, he looked right at her and winked, letting her know he’d been aware of her presence the entire time.

Soon the theater bustled with movement and voices as everyone prepared to leave. Kristin stepped to the side of the stage, trying to stay out of the way of the departing theater goers.

David was supposed to change his clothes and then meet her so they could get a drink and talk. The theater had a bar in the back, and Kristin figured they would start there. David would probably need to put in an appearance since the play had closed tonight.

Arms suddenly circled her waist and pulled her backwards.

“Hey!” Kristin yelled in surprise and some of the people tossed a few odd looks in her direction.

She abruptly turned to find David smiling at her widely. “David McDougal, you scared the life out of me.” She playfully smacked him on the shoulder with her program.

“Sorry, couldn’t resist.” David chuckled, and his adorable dimple deepened in his cheek. He wore tight dark wash jeans and a grey sport coat, with a black T-shirt underneath. His hair was ruffled and his eyes sparkled with excitement. Kristin’s heart fluttered as she realized this evening would be difficult, especially since she still wasn’t sure what she wanted from the conversation that was to come.

“You ready to go?” He held out his hand.

“Lead the way.” Kristin took his outstretched hand, hers fitting perfectly within his.

As she followed him through the theater to the back, the sounds of voices murmuring and glasses clinking grew louder. Soon they reached the bar area, where the actors were ordering everything from martinis to ale.

Groups of people huddled in every corner and laughter billowed through the air. Everyone knew David, and he introduced her around the large room. So many people, she’d never keep them straight. Finally, David managed to procure each of them a glass of champagne and found a couple of seats at an empty table.

“This place is amazing, all tucked away back here like this.” Her jaw dropped displaying the awe that she’d been keeping in check.

“Aye, it’s the best place for the actors to go after a performance.” He took a sip of his champagne. “And the drinks are great as well, though I think I’ll grab a beer next.”

A tall man in a suit on his way to the bar strolled by and clapped David on the shoulder in congratulations.

“Everyone here seems to know you.”

David raised his glass to another man who waved from across the room. “Well, many of us work together over and over again. We’re like one big family sometimes, I guess.”

Kristin’s gaze wandered around as she tried to let some of the celebratory atmosphere seep in to raise her spirits. More people came by to congratulate David on a job well done. She leaned forward. “Won’t everyone think it odd that you’re here with me and not Sophie?”

David shrugged. “I don’t care. Sophie’s in Glasgow, and I’m allowed to have a social life without her.”

Kristin sipped her drink, and then set it on the table in front of her. A social life? What did that mean? “What if someone from the press is here and snaps a photo that’s damaging to you and Sophie?”

David downed the rest of his champagne. “They usually leave me be when she’s not around. Besides, they should already have had their fill of me from the past couple days.”

As more people entered the bar, the noise level increased. More voices, more laughter, making it hard to hear each other. How were they going to have a serious conversation in this location?

As if sensing her frustration, David reached for her hand across the table and held it gently. “I just need to stay long enough so that the director doesn’t get cross, then we can leave and have our talk.”

She nodded, then took a sip of her champagne. “You were brilliant, by the way. I thought I might be depressed to bits by the subject matter, but you made it wonderful.”

His mouth twisted into a grin, and his cheeks actually colored with just a tinge of a blush. “I’m so glad you came tonight. I wasn’t sure if you would, and I wanted to tell you”

Kristin’s gaze shifted to just behind him.

Sophie Miller sauntered up to their table, a smug smile across her lips. Kristin felt all the blood drain from her face and she jerked her hand away from David’s.

He turned in his seat to see what she focused on.

“Hello, my love,” Sophie purred. Her elegant hands lighted on his shoulders as she leaned forward to press her lips squarely to his. David jerked in surprise as Sophie kissed him, his eyes flashing briefly in Kristin’s direction.

Kristin caught her breath and her heart crashed to the floor. Having to observe David with another woman, especially with Psycho Sophie, sent an arrow of raw disappointment straight into her heart. Even though the scenario was just pretend, the act hurt to witness.

Sophie was radiant as usual, her long blond hair fell in golden waves past her shoulders. Her designer jeans and blue fitted blouse showed off her expertly maintained figure and blue-gray eyes.

“Sophie, what are you doing here? Aren’t you scheduled to stay in Glasgow longer?”

“I didn’t want to miss your last performance, love, so I flew in for the evening.” The actress reached forward to lightly caress David’s cheek.

“My flight was delayed, so I got here just in time to duck in as the lights went down. Afterwards, the director recognized me and stopped to chat me up for a bit. I managed to finally get away, and here I am.” Sophie smiled warmly at David, and possessively squeezed his shoulder.

Her attention turned toward the bar area. “Now, I bloody well need a drink.” The actress strolled to the bar, leaving Kristin and David alone again. Sophie hadn’t even acknowledged Kristin, a fact that should have been a blessing, though it unnerved her instead.

“I had no idea she was coming,” David’s voice was resigned as he brushed his fingers through is hair nervously. His eyes flashed with what she could only describe as distress.

“I know.” She spoke in a weak whisper. “She apparently wanted to surprise you.”
And torture me
. Could Sophie have shown up at a more inopportune time? Maybe it was a sign.

“That she did.” David’s brow furrowed with displeasure at Sophie’s unexpected presence.

Sophie returned with a glass of red wine, pulled over a chair and sat closely beside David. She crossed her long legs in front of her. Sipping her drink slowly, her eyes rested on Kristin.

“Well, Kristin Shepherd. Fancy meeting you here, of all places.” Her blue-gray eyes narrowed. “And what brings you to the theater this fine evening?”

“Cut it out, Sophie. There’s no need to be rude. She’s here because I invited her.” David flashed Sophie what she assumed to be a warning glance.

Sophie tapped a red finger nail on the table. “I’m not being rude. I’m just wondering what she’s doing here, in a public place, with my fiancé. That’s all.”

David took a deep breath. “Kristin is aware of our situation, so you can quit with the jealous woman act. There’s no need for it.”

The man rubbed his brown beard thoughtfully. “David, if you don’t mind, I’d like you to meet someone. He’s writing a screenplay, and he’s interested in you taking a look at it, from an actor’s standpoint.”

David cleared his throat. “Actually, this isn’t the best time for me, Quincy. Perhaps—”

Quincy clapped David on the shoulder. “Piffle. No time like the present, eh?” He motioned with a stubby fingered hand toward a young man who stood a few paces away. “Jack, come on over and meet the man.”

The apology in David’s eyes was apparent as he shot a glance at Kristin over his shoulder before turning in his seat to the two men.

Kristin turned toward the woman across the table. Sophie glared, her eyes narrowed to small points of hate. Kristin’s heart thumped. She hadn’t been prepared for this, coming face to face with Sophie Miller. Not tonight.

Sophie leaned forward and smiled widely, which made the woman look like a lioness about to devour her prey.

The actress crooked her finger, motioning for Kristin to lean forward, which she did, but rather slowly. “Was I not clear when I told you to stay away from David, and that he’s mine?”

The icy tone of her took Kristin by surprise. It took a moment before she could reply. “David is not a possession, Sophie. He can do what he pleases.”

“There are too many things you just don’t understand about our relationship. David always ends up doing what I want.” She leaned even closer to Kristin. “Always.”

Kristin forced a smile of her own. “He seems to be doing pretty well at not doing what you want right now. Doesn’t he?”

Fury clouded those steely eyes of Sophie’s like a raging storm. “If you think he’ll choose you over me, you are sadly mistaken. I will ruin him before I let him be with you. I will ruin you both.” The actress tilted her head to the side. “How is business at the gallery, by the way?” She smiled again, showing perfect, white teeth.

Was it possible Sophie was behind some of the troubles at the gallery? Surely the woman wasn’t that over the edge. But as Kristin simmered under the heat of Sophie’s stare, she became convinced otherwise, the fear of what the actress might be capable of shooting through her.

Those threats floated around in her head. Sophie would ruin them both before she would see them together? Those were the words of a crazy person. And the thought that Sophie might be involved with Kristin’s troubles at the gallery soured her stomach. If Kristin were to be involved with David in any way, that would mean inviting trouble from that psycho also.

Her eyes flicked back to David. He was saying his goodbyes to Quincy and the young blond screenwriter. The smile he’d plastered across his lips vanished when he turned in his seat back to her and Sophie. Man, but he was almost as good at that fake smile thing as Sophie.