Trade

by Lane, Tabitha A

  He picked up the phone and called Jasper Watson.

  “Jasper, It’s Sholto Kincaid.”

  “Sholto!” At least someone sounded happy to hear from him. “Hey, I saw you’re in London.”

  “I guess everyone did. I’m staying in The West Continental. I thought we could get together, and talk about the movie.”

  “Definitely. Are you free for dinner?”

  “Yes.” He bit back the urge to say more. To confide that he’d planned on being wrapped around Max that night and to ask Jasper if he’d heard from her. They were friends, he had no idea how good friends they were, but he’d remedy that tonight. “As you know I’ve had problems with paparazzi, but there’s a good restaurant in my hotel, maybe we can eat here?”

  “I’ll book a table for seven-thirty.”

  They met in the Bay Tree Restaurant in the hotel six and a half hours later. The lighting was subdued, and the maître d’ led Jasper to Sholto’s table in a secluded corner, far from prying eyes.

  Sholto greeted his guest, and ordered a bottle of Château Lafite Rothschild Bordeaux from the wine-waiter.

  Jasper looked him up and down. “I can’t believe the difference in you. You really had me fooled in Indonesia.” He took the menu from the waiter with a smile. “You must have dropped quite a few pounds while you were there. Tell me, did you really do all the hunting and stuff? Or did our mutual friend Max? That girl is awesomely badass.”

  “She knows what she’d doing in the wild.” A memory of her walking into the water naked flashed into his mind.

  “And out of it. She’s a clever cookie.”

  “Have you known Max a long time?” He kept his tone light and conversational, as though he wasn’t eaten up with knowing the answer.

  “I’m one of her clients.” Jasper rubbed the back of his neck. “And I’ve got to tell you, when she approached me to ask me to consider you for the role in Solo, I laughed right in her face.” He glanced up at Sholto. “I’m ashamed to say I didn’t see your potential. Even after watching After Ecstasy, I didn’t think you could do it. Now, I can’t imagine anyone else in the role.”

  The waiter came to take their orders and then the wine arrived. When their glasses were filled, they raised their glasses.

  “Here’s to our movie. May it win us both Oscars.” Sholto clinked his glass against Jasper’s.

  “So, how is our girl? I presume she’s the friend you were in London to see last night?” Jasper’s eyebrows rose.

  There seemed little point in denying it. “She’s fine.” The bottle of champagne he’d drunk during the day loosened his tongue. “I thought I’d be with her now, to be honest. But hell, what do I know about women?” His laugh sounded bitter. “Sorry, I guess you don’t want to hear my dating woes.”

  Jasper frowned. “Dating woes? How is that even possible? You and Max have some sort of history, don’t you?”

  “One hell of a twisted history.” He shook his head at Jasper’s wide-eyed expression. “Not that sort of a history. We were friends. Until something stupid happened when we were teenagers. She asked me to a dance, and some prick filmed me rejecting her. It spread through the school like wildfire.”

  Jasper winced.

  “I was a stupid, cocky kid. I thought we’d got past it on Melati, and I…” He swallowed a mouthful of wine. Having a heart to heart with his soon-to-be director wasn’t a good business move, but he didn’t seem to be able to shut up. “I really care about her, but I think it’s over.” Jesus, he hadn’t been such a heartsick wimp before, ever. “Talk about something else, man.”

  “No.” Jasper patted his arm. “You need to get this out. Max is gorgeous, smart, and sexy.” He held his hands up. “Not my type,” he added. “But you shouldn’t let her get away, not if you care about her like you say you do. One thing I don’t understand though…”

  They were interrupted by the arrival of their meals.

  “I don’t understand why you told the world you didn’t have a girlfriend if you and Max are dating. It must have hurt when she saw that on the TV.”

  *****

  It had been a strange few days. After speaking to Sholto, Max had driven out to Butterworth to check on her father’s progress. William was home, out of bed, and slowly recovering. To her relief, her sister didn’t make an appearance, so she was able to catch up with her mother without the added snark Caroline was sure to provide.

  The blanket saturation of Sholto’s presence in the country seemed to have passed them by, or maybe they were just being polite by not mentioning it. They’d never visited her London home, so the picture wouldn’t have rung any bells even if they had seen it.

  When she was kid living at home, she always listened as her mother practiced her Sunday sermon, and as she made herself comfortable on the sofa next to her father on Saturday afternoon, she sent up a silent prayer that her mother wouldn’t be lecturing about loose morals, and the perils of extra marital sex.

  “In our everyday lives, we talk about accepting people for who they are. About compassion and forgiveness,” Margaret, started. “But oftentimes, we say the words but don’t act on them. I’ve been guilty of this myself, because just like you, I’m human.

  “Remember the parable about the good Samaritan? We all love that story because it shows how kindness and compassion work in action. How someone can reach out to another human being in pain and in need, and help them. Many people walked past, rather than helping, and it’s easy to damn them for their inaction. To feel they weren’t good Christians because they failed to help.”

  She smiled at William and Max.

  “Of all those people who didn’t stop, do we suppose there wasn’t anyone who wanted to?” She shook her head. “Many probably wanted to. They would have felt guilt and distress at their failure to act. But they knew that being the person to stop, being the first person to break through the barrier of the status quo would make them different. Would single them out from the crowd. And so many times, even today, it is easier to do what everyone else does. To fit in, to be accepted by doing what everyone else does.”

  She turned over her piece of paper, glanced at the notes she’d written on the back, and continued. “Don’t deny what you know to be right in your heart. Don’t reject the right thing to do because it’s too hard. For if you do what you know would make God happy, if you live by God’s law, and truly follow his teachings, you will know true happiness.” She took a sip of tea.

  “And it’s never too late to start. We are all worthy of God’s love. The bible tells us of how Jesus tended to the sick. How he cared for the people rejected and shunned by society. What he wants is for everyone to follow his example. To show kindness, care, and compassion to everyone equally. It is not for us to judge other people, for we are all imperfect. Remember Jesus said, ‘Let he who is without sin cast the first stone?’ Well none of us is without sin. None of us is worthy to judge others.”

  She sank down into the armchair. “What do you think?”

  William nodded. “Well said. It’s an important message, one well worth repeating.”

  Her gaze connected with Max’s and held.

  “Good sermon, Mum.”

  “I’m so glad you decided to come down and visit this weekend, dear. I wanted to talk to you about Sholto.”

  Max’s heart sank.

  “Your sister was very vocal in the hospital, but I want to let you know your father and I don’t share her views. I know when he first joined our community he had a few sharp edges, but he had cause. His early life, from what I understand, was difficult.”

  “It was.” She didn’t know how much her mother actually knew about Sholto’s past, but as vicar she had a role on the school board, so she would have been informed of at least some of it.

  “Does he make you happy?” William said.

  It wasn’t the time to tell either of her parents that her relationship with Sholto might well be over, so she considered the question carefully. “Yes, I care very de
eply for him.” The words didn’t seem enough. She more than cared; she couldn’t imagine her future without him in it.

  “Bring him to visit.” Her mother smiled. “I’ll deal with your sister.”

  She stayed the night, and headed out on Sunday afternoon to Cam’s house, where chaos reigned.

  Cam met her at the front door, wearing a robe. “Thank God you’re here.” Her hair flowed around her face in unruly copper waves. “Lindsay would choose today to refuse to nap, wouldn’t she?” She pointed at her two-year old daughter, who was lying on the sofa, with her thumb in her mouth, watching children’s TV. “She looks like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, but don’t be fooled, that baby has been hell today.”

  She strode into her bedroom. “I don’t know what to wear. Nothing looks good.” A mountain of clothes, obviously tried on then discarded, was piled up on the middle of her bed. “My hair is crazy, and I can’t get my makeup right…” She pulled in a ragged breath.

  “I think you need a drink. How about a glass of wine?”

  “It’s too early.”

  Max glanced at her watch. “Five o’clock. It’s not too early. It’s an emergency. You’re meeting him at the hotel at seven, so you have an hour and a half to get ready. I’ll get us some.”

  She poured a couple of glasses of red wine from the bottle she’d brought with her, just in case, and carried them back into the bedroom. “Okay, let’s see what you’ve got here.” She chose a few dresses and hung them on the back of the wardrobe. “What about this one?” She held up a simple, elegant black dress.

  “It’s too boring.”

  “This one then?” She touched an electric blue sheath.

  “It’s strapless. My upper arms are just…” She pulled a grimace.

  Max held it out. “Try it on for me.” She searched the back of Cam’s closet for something and found a pretty, glittery silver shrug.

  “Can you zip me?”

  She zipped the dress, and looked at her friend critically. “Actually your arms are fine. Everyone thinks their arms are lumpy, but believe me, yours aren’t.” She helped Cam into the silver shrug. “But if you feel vulnerable about it, this covers those areas without hiding the rest of you.”

  Cam stared at her reflection in the mirror. “I never would have thought of putting those two together, but you’re right. It works.”

  “Sit down. I’ll curl your hair.”

  She popped out of the room for a moment, to see that Lindsay had finally succumbed to sleep. She took cushions off the sofa, and piled them onto the floor in front of the sleeping child, then went back into the bedroom to get her friend ready.

  An hour later, they sat in the sitting room sipping wine as they waited for the taxi Cam had ordered. Her previously wild hair had been tamed into loose curls that just tipped her shoulders. She’d let Max do her makeup, and the slightly more dramatic use of eyeliner and mascara really highlighted her aqua eyes.

  “I know you’re nervous, but you have no reason to be, you look really beautiful. You’d knock them dead, even if you walked in there totally alone.”

  “God, everyone’s going to look at me when I arrive with Sholto on my arm.” She chewed her lip.

  “Stop that, you’ll muss your lipstick.” Max rooted in her friend’s silver clutch, pulled out a tube of pale pink lipstick and repaired the damage. Her stomach clenched at the thought of him.

  “I don’t have to go with him. I could go on my own. Or you could come with me…”

  Max’s gaze shot up to Cam’s. “What?”

  “I don’t know if I want to spend my evening with a guy who’s hurt you.” Cam’s jaw set into a stubborn line. “It feels weird going on a date with him.”

  “Because of me?”

  “Because of Drew, too. I’ve only been out with him twice, but I think this relationship could really be something.”

  “Have you told him you’re going to the reunion with another man?”

  She rubbed the back of her neck. “I told him I hadn’t had a date, so you’d asked Sholto to accompany me. I think he was a bit intimidated by the thought of me going out with a hot movie star, but he’ll get over it.” She stared into Max’s eyes. “You’ve told me a little about what went down, and I agree, it’s hurtful that he didn’t acknowledge you publicly, but maybe he had his reasons.”

  “He hasn’t contacted me since.”

  “Because you told him you wanted time. Maybe he’s just doing what you asked him to.”

  “I’ve been thinking a lot about it over the past few days. I’m really scared to get rejected again, but I’ve come to a decision. I really care about him and I’m not ready to give up. When I see him tomorrow I’m going to put my cards on the table. I’m going to tell him how I feel.”

  Cam grinned.

  The doorbell rang. “Go. I’ll see you later.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Sholto sat in the lobby of The West Continental watching the door. He knew nothing about Max’s client except her name, and the fact that she must be well off to be able to afford whatever fee Max had put on his head.

  The first few women who entered were well dressed, but not wearing party clothes. Then a tall, slender woman walked straight to reception. She wore a full-length blue dress with a small, silver sweater over her shoulders and clutched a tiny silver bag. This could be her.

  The receptionist caught his eye and beckoned him over.

  He strolled across the gleaming marble floor, and stopped at her side. “Cam?”

  She turned, with a smile on her face and met his gaze. “Sholto. Hi.” She held out her hand just as he moved in to kiss her cheek. Because that’s what he expected her to want. Instead, she jerked back out of kiss range. The whole thing was awkward and clumsy. If she were going to avoid even the basic intimacies, they wouldn’t be fooling anyone tonight.

  He shook her hand. “I’m sort of nervous.” He plastered on his best charming smile.

  But she didn’t blush. And she didn’t do any of the flustered superfan stuff done by the women who usually wanted to get to know him better. She just regarded him carefully. Critically. She didn’t quite stick her hands on her hips and stare him down, but damn close. “I am too,” she admitted after a couple of seconds.

  “We have a while before we have to leave. Let’s have a drink in the bar.” Normally, he’d take a woman’s arm in this situation, but Cam was sending ‘hands off’ signals he’d have to be blind not to see.

  “Good idea.” She followed him into the quiet bar off the main lobby of the hotel, and they took a table in the corner and ordered drinks.

  She’s paying Max for this. She deserves her money’s worth. But the fact that Max had pimped him out made him feel cheap. Sleazy.

  Their drinks arrived, and he raised his glass. “Here’s to tonight.”

  She clinked her glass to his. Took a quick sip, then put it down on the polished wood table. She pulled in a deep breath. “We should get a couple of things straight. I’m doing this because Max organized it, and she’s my best friend.”

  What? Her words made no sense. He frowned. “What the hell do you mean?”

  She did a double take. “Max is my friend.” A look of dawning realization. “What did she tell you?”

  “She told me you were a client.”

  Cam’s wide smile transformed her face from borderline hostile to almost friendly. “I’m not a client. I work for Max, and she’s my friend.”

  “So you haven’t paid for this?” It made no sense. She’d traded a date with Cam for the chance to audition for the role in Solo. She’d gone to Melati with him to clinch the deal. And she wasn’t making anything?

  “Max pays well, but not that well.” She smiled. “Actually, I doubt any employer pays enough to afford a night like tonight. No, I’m not rich, and I didn’t set this up with a large pay check for Max at the end of it.” She crossed her legs, revealing pointy high-heeled silver shoes. “I told Max I had to go to a school reunion and that
I was dreading it. My ex-husband is going to be there with his six-month pregnant fiancée and I just couldn’t face it.”

  “This is quite a personal question, but have you still feelings for your husband?” Because surely making her husband realize that another man found her attractive must be a motivation here, and he really didn’t know how he felt about being used to try and make another man jealous, especially when that man was engaged and had his child in another woman’s belly.

  Cam shook her head. “God, no. I’m not remotely interested in getting back together with Henry. I better give you some background. Henry and I went to school together. Everyone there tonight is well aware of our history. We were married and I’d never been happier in my life when I discovered that I was pregnant with our first child. A couple of months later, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I couldn’t have treatment—well, I guess I could have had treatment but I decided not to because I didn’t want to risk anything that might hurt my daughter. Anyway, he drifted away during that time, but I just reckoned that was due to the stress, right? Anyway, to cut a long story short, Henry left me when I had Lindsay. I had treatment for the cancer alone, while at the same time looking after a newborn. The woman he left me for is his fiancée now and she’s six months pregnant with their child.”

  “What a bastard.” Sholto didn’t mince his words. Any guy who treated a woman he’d committed to like that was little more than a snake.

  “I’m well past it. I have a beautiful daughter and I’ve just started dating again.” Her face flushed pink. “I met someone after Max had already organized our date. And we’ve only been out twice. I want to get to know him better before I subject him to everyone who knew me in school.” She shook her head a little, sending a headful of coppery curls bouncing. “I wanted to go to the reunion, but when I found out they were going too, I knew I’d be the object of gossip and the receiver of a lot of unwanted pity.”

  “But not if you had a date.”

  “Max asked me who my fantasy date would be, and I named you.” She looked embarrassed. “Not because I’ve been harboring a massive crush or anything, but just because…”