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“Raymond Tucker?” she inquired with a raised brow studying me up and down and giving me a satisfied, pleased smile as she finished her assessment of me.
“One and only.” I responded settling back to my seat.
I wondered where to start. Expressing my feelings to a total stranger was the hard part. I couldn’t see her eyes, furthering my irritation. As if on cue, she removed the sunglasses and beamed a smile my way. Her eyes were a dark shade of green, and they were very mesmerizing. I cleared my throat.
“I’ll like to first apologize for springing this meeting on you out of the blue, it was an urgent need that called for it.”
“Oh it’s alright. If it’s something I can help with, I’ll certainly love to try.”
“It’s about Sophie. Sophie Adams.”
She blinked. “Sophie? What has Sophie got to do with this? Is she okay?” Her voice had risen in alarm.
“Nothing is wrong with Sophie,” I said quickly to reassure her. “This matter is actually a delicate one you see and I need your help to pull it off.”
“Okay?” She prompted, her eyes alive with questions.
“I’m in love with Sophie.” I pronounced quietly and heard her suck in breath sharply and give a small gasp.
“How did this happen?” she asked, her expression belying her shock.
“Last I checked, Sophie is in Malibu and you are in New York, except—” She stopped halfway as it dawned on her. “Oh my God. This is incredible. This is a good news but I’m curious, why are you telling me this?”
I drew in breath as I carefully pronounced my next words, my eyes fastened on her expression.
“The thing is, she caught another woman in my bedroom—“ Kaitlyn sucked in her breath sharply, her eyes taking on a flaming expression.
“Before you say anything, hear what I have to say please.” I held up my hand and my eyes took on a pleading expression.
She looked at me warily, then nodded.
“The woman in question is a waitress I’m helping to secure a loan for her restaurant. It’s strictly business between us which was why I was very confused when I saw her in my bedroom that day. According to her story, she’d returned my keys which slipped out of my pocket the night before and wanted to have a look around the house but unfortunately when she ended up at the bedroom, which was the exact moment Sophie walked inside.”
I rubbed my temples wearily. “It all sounds ridiculous, I know but it’s the truth. I love Sophie and would never hurt her genuinely. I’d rather die than do that.”
As Kaitlyn looked at me, I sensed her expression softening. “Is Sophie aware of this?”
“She ran out on me before I could defend myself and left town. I have no idea where she is currently but I can’t afford to lose her which is why I came to you for help.”
She smiled gently at taking my hands in hers and squeezing it gently.
“It’s alright Raymond, I believe you. What do you have in mind now?” I felt a sharp sense of gratitude at her words and proceeded to fill her in on my plan. It was a risky one and there was every tendency for it to backfire but I was willing to risk it all this time. Willing to bet everything I had on it, it was going to work.
CHAPTER 17
SOPHIE
Malibu
My bedroom was just like I left it.
The afternoon sun shone its harsh rays through the windows, and I felt the heat. As soon as I got home, I came here, got under the covers and slept most of the morning away. I'd gotten into a dark and dreamless sleep. That as the only consolation for my bruised heart right now, quiet and darkness.
I felt sick and exhausted. I felt like the sunlight was trying to burrow under my skin and burn me from the inside out. Everything hurt. My head, my heart, even my body. Everything was awful, and I didn’t want to get out of bed. Not ever. I didn’t want to put on a smile and pretend everything was fine when my life had been turned upside down.
Maybe if I shut my eyes tightly often enough, everything would go away and things would be back to the way they used to be. Before Maria.
I felt so stupid.
