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“Darling- “
“No.” She shook her head, dislodging the pins she’d used to secure the untidy bun on top of her head. “We were not meant to be and I’m learning to accept that.” She firmed her lips. “Now I really don’t want to talk about it.”
*****
“You’re not eating.”
“What?” He shook his head and forced himself to concentrate on her.
“You’ve barely touched your food.”
“I had a big lunch.” Pushing aside the pork chops, he took up his water. “How have you been doing?”
“Much better. Mavis is taking good care of me.” She paused in the middle of reaching for her glass of lemonade. “You look tired.”
“Why, thank you, Hilda.’ He said wryly. “Just what I wanted to hear.” He reached for his lemonade and took a sip.
“I can’t believe you’re here and, on a Saturday, too.”
“I have a function later tonight, someplace I have to be.”
“Are you seeing anyone?”
The seemingly innocent question sent a spear of pain straight to his heart. It’d been almost two weeks since he’d broken it off with her and he was unable to cope. He’d work himself to the bone and had taken to partying and going to clubs more often than he should.
Now, he was seeing Annie because she was the only one who understood that he wasn’t ready for anything other than a casual relationship.
“Yes.” He clipped, putting away his glass and rising. They were outdoors and he could smell the begonias and wild daisies growing in clumps around a large redwood tree.
“You should bring her here- “
“She’s an actress and very busy.”
“Or are you ashamed of me?”
He turned to look at her and felt the anger and pain inside his chest. It was the same thing he’d accused Alessia of being.
“Why would I be?”
“I’m a reminder of your past.”
“I have no problems with my past.” His mouth twisted bitterly. “It made me who I am.” Shaking his head, he shoved his hands into the pockets of his denims and rocked back on his heels.
“Look, Annie and I are just exploring the possibility of a relationship, nothing less and nothing more. If, and when, things get serious between us, I’ll bring her to meet you.”
“I apologize-“
“Nothing to apologize for.” He told her briskly as he glanced at his watch. “Now, I’m afraid I’m going to have to run.” Moving toward the table, he finished the lemonade. “You look well.”
Chapter 11
She knew she shouldn’t have gone out and certainly not to the Opera, but Mark had persuaded her to accompany him. He’d been by the house for dinner a couple of times and she knew her Dad was hoping that something would happen between them.
Perhaps she should give it a chance. Mark Anders was certainly in keeping with everything Daddy expected in a husband for her.
He was not only charming, he was also very attractive in a subdued kind of way, and he was a doctor from a very good family. It was close to a month since she’d heard from Maxwell, but she’d seen him on the news several times as well as glimpsed him at a function she’d attended.
She’d left soon after seeing him with that actress and cried herself to sleep. It had to stop, she had to move on with her life, the way he was doing. Hence, dressing up and attending the Opera.
