An Uncertain Affair (The Affair Series Book 2)

by Randi Ocean

  It was an enormous relief for me to get that conversation off my plate early in the day. Valerie was much more of a team player than I’d ever expected. I went back to my desk to let Sergio know I could indeed be “his hero.”

  Hi, Sergio,

  I spoke with Dane and Valerie this a.m., and they are open to working with Nicole. We’re meeting after our shoot today to discuss it further. I’ll be in touch later with more details.

  Thanks,

  Bridget

  Bridget Stone

  Studio Manager

  Pratt Photography

  503-555-2345

  I wanted to add a personal note, but I didn’t know if anyone else could access his office e-mail. It was way too early in the scheme of things for our love affair to be common knowledge. He wrote back quickly.

  Fantastic news, Bridget! I am copying Adele here, too, so she can draw up the contract. She’ll get it over to you tomorrow. I’m so happy to be working with you and Dane on this. I know it will be amazing.

  Talk with you later.

  Best,

  Sergio

  That would be the last hurdle. The contract. I’d have to scrutinize the details of Adele’s terms very carefully. She was a shrewd businesswoman, and I knew Pratt Photography was not her ideal choice. She could try to structure it in such a way that we wouldn’t agree to their terms and have to walk away. Undoubtedly, it would be an extensive legal document with lots of “wherefores” and what-not, but that’s what lawyers are for - to translate.

  I was getting in a groove, and it felt really good. Sally Creighton popped into my head. She was the one who had set up this opportunity for me, and I wanted to tell her how well it was going. I dialed her number, but I got her voicemail and left a message.

  “Hi, Sally. It’s Bridget. I just wanted you to know how great the job with Dane Pratt is working out. We just landed the gig shooting the food for Sergio Ramirez’s new book. It’s going to be an amazing project, and I’m just so happy here. Thanks for all your help and advice. You’re the best. Hope to talk to you soon. ‘Bye.”

  **

  The farmers’ market execs arrived just as I finished setting up a buffet lunch for everyone. We ate and reviewed the shot list for the afternoon. Dane and Valerie were totally buttoned up, so the shoot wouldn’t take long.

  Around three o’clock, I walked back to the studio to see how the shoot was going. The mood was very light, everyone laughing and exchanging family holiday nightmare stories. Christmas was right around the corner, and I was dreading it. Another holiday in a lifetime of holidays to come when I couldn’t be with my family. As I watched Dane and Valerie work, I thought, This is my new family. It felt good.

  I got back to my desk and checked my phone. There was a text from Sergio and a couple of voice mails.

  U got away early this am. Thinking abt u. r u free 2nite?

  I responded quickly: Yes! Where & when? Thinking abt u 2. XO

  As I waited for his response, I checked the voicemails.

  “Hi, Bridget, it’s Sally returning your call. I’m so glad to hear things are going so well for you. I’d love to talk with you about Sergio’s project. Call me when you can. I should be around this afternoon if you have time to talk. ‘Bye.”

  “Hello, my sweet. It’s Sergio. I just wanted to hear your voice. Talk to you later.”

  Sergio’s message made me smile. He was so considerate and kind. Even the sound of his voice made my stomach twist with a tinge of arousal. Dane poked his head around the corner. “Wow, that’s an electric smile. What’re you so happy about?” he asked.

  I could feel my face flush. “Nothing specific,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant. “I was just thinking about how much fun we’re going to have working on this book.”

  “Uh-huh,” Dane said, not buying it. “Well, whatever. I think we only have one more set up, and then we can talk about the book. Can you print out the proposal so we have it as reference?”

  “Sure. Oh, by the way, Sergio said Adele would send a contract over tomorrow, so now it’s really official.”

  “That’s great. I’ll be glad to get the business out of the way so we can begin planning the creative. We need to build a formal calendar, too, and lock down the dates.”

  “I’ll print out some calendar pages so we can talk about it.” As Dane went back to the studio, I wondered how long I could conceal that I was seeing Sergio. It was going to get much harder when we were all working together.

  Within the hour the farmer’s market execs were gone. Dane and I sat at the kitchen counter as Valerie finished the last of the clean-up. “That was a really fun shoot,” Dane said. “It’s so refreshing when a client gives me so much creative freedom. I hope Sergio and Adele will be equally trusting.”

  “I hope so, too,” I said. “Sergio’s a pretty creative guy, but I know he totally respects your work. I’m sure he’ll give you room to do what you do best.”

  Valerie joined us at the counter, and we began dissecting the proposal and creating a schedule. Dane looked at the calendar. “There’s really no time to get this going until after New Year’s. I mean, maybe we can squeeze in a couple of meetings, but there’s no point in even trying to prep this until after the Christmas madness is over. If we can wait until after the first of the year, everything will go much smoother.”

  “I doubt that will be a problem,” I said. “Sergio’s really busy with holiday parties. I’m sure he’ll be glad to put it off until he has time to think about it.”

  Valerie added, “I’d like to get to know their stylist a little bit, too, before we’re in the thick of it. Do you think they would mind if I called her to set up a meeting?”

  “She’ll be part of our crew, so we can set up any meetings we want to. I’ll let Sergio know out of courtesy, but, it’s our call.”

  Dane thought for a moment and asked, “Are you dealing with Sergio directly on this, or is Adele the point person?” He seemed a little suspicious that Sergio was so communicative with me.

  “Well, I’m sure I’ll deal with Adele on the business side of it, but Sergio specifically said he wants to work closely with you, and he wants me to manage the project. He feels like we get what he’s looking for with this book even more than Adele does.”

  Dane and Valerie looked at each other, a little surprised. “Wow,” Dane said. “That’s unusual, but I’ll take it. Adele gives me the creeps.”

  “Well, we’ll see if that changes, but that’s what Sergio told me before Adele was back.”

  Dane raised an eyebrow. ”So, how much have you been talking with Sergio? I hadn’t heard about any communication past Saturday night except for last night when they said they wanted their food stylist. What’s up, Bridget?”

  “Nothing! We’ve talked a couple of times, and I think he’s a great guy.” Dane didn’t pursue it any further. He was suspicious that something was going on with Sergio. I would have to be more mindful of what I said around him.

  We cranked on the to-do list and timeline for another hour. It was almost five-thirty, and we’d all been there since the crack of dawn. Dane suggested we break it up early. When the contract arrived, we’d have to make sure we were in sync with Sergio and Adele, and that would take some serious brain power.

  Checking my phone, Sergio had texted back: 8:30 @ Buena Comida. C u there. Kisses.

  I confirmed: C U then. XO

  I knew I would have to talk to Sergio about how we were going to work so closely together and not get distracted by our strong attraction to each other. Probably better to confront it sooner than later. The last thing I wanted to do was to jeopardize my job or disappoint Dane. I wasn’t ready to lose another “family.”

  **

  On my way home, I returned Sally’s call.

  “Hi, Bridget!” she answered warmly. “How are you?”

  “Hey, there. It’s good to hear your voice. I’m doing fine. How’re you?”

  “Same ol’, same ol’,” she said, very matte
r-of-factly. “So, tell me about the project with Sergio Ramirez. It sounds very exciting.”

  “Oh, it is. We’ll be shooting the food for his new book. It’s going to be very upscale with recipes from Buena Comida. We’ll begin the whole thing right after New Year’s.”

  “Will you have an opportunity to meet Sergio?”

  “Actually, we’ve already met. He came to the studio last week with his culinary director. They’re really nice and very professional. Sergio has even cooked dinner for me. He’s an amazing chef.”

  “I was afraid you were going to say that. Bridget, I have to caution you. Sergio’s a very high-profile guy. If you’re photographed with him, your identity could be compromised. It hasn’t been very long since you disappeared from New York. Those guys don’t just quit looking. Even though we publicized that you were killed in a car accident, they know there’s a chance you’ve been relocated. If they recognize you, you could be in danger all over again, and so could he.”

  That thought had never even crossed my mind. “Oh, Sally, does this nightmare ever end? Will I ever have a life where I’m not looking over my shoulder all the time?”

  “You just have to be careful and not take risks. If you were simply working with Dane and shooting beautiful food, chances are no one would ever be the wiser. But now you’ve involved a celebrity, and if you work closely with him, your picture could easily end up in the press. Just stay at arm’s length, and don’t go out in public with him. It’ll be fine.”

  “I can’t tell him about any of this, can I?” I asked nervously.

  “I wouldn’t if I were you. The fewer people who know your true identity, the better.”

  “What if I just tell him I’m in witness protection but don’t give him the details? I don’t know how I’m going to work with him and never see him outside of the office.”

  “Again, I wouldn’t take a chance. Look, the project isn’t starting for a few weeks. Why don’t we get together next week and talk about it? That way, by the time things really get going, you’ll have a strategy for dealing with it.”

  My mind was racing. I didn’t want to tell Sally I was already involved with Sergio. I would just have to figure something out on my own.

  “Okay,” I said resigned. “I’ll be in touch, and we’ll plan a time to connect. Thanks for all your insight, Sally.”

  “Sounds good. Take it easy, Bridget. This witness protection thing takes a little getting used to, but I promise you, it beats the alternative.”

  “I know you’re right. Talk to you next week.”

  “Okay. ‘Bye.”

  “’Bye.”

  I was in shock. What was I going to tell Sergio? How could we work together let alone have a relationship, and be sure we were never seen together, at least not by anyone who might publicize the connection? I needed time to think.

  I texted him: Can I take a rain ck on 2nite? Not feeling great.

  My phone rang a couple of minutes later. “My sweet Bridget, are you okay?” he asked with concern.

  “My stomach is a bit upset. I thought I was doing better, but it’s gotten worse in the last half hour. Can we connect tomorrow?”

  “Of course,” he said sympathetically. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

  “No, I think it just needs to run its course.”

  “Okay, my sweet. But call me if you need anything.”

  “I will. Thank you for understanding. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  “Okay, love, sweet dreams.”

  “You, too.”

  My upset stomach was no lie. There was a lot to figure out, and after my conversation with Sally, I thought I was going to throw up.

  Chapter 7

  Sleep deprivation from the night before and a ten-hour work day left me feeling particularly tired. That fatigue was probably fueling my angst over the whole situation. It was becoming abundantly clear that I would have to sever my romantic relationship with Sergio to keep him out of harm’s way, and even try to steer clear of him when we were working together. This seemed as unfair as having to leave Adam Comstock on a moment’s notice. The only difference would be that I would still see Sergio regularly. That promised to be sheer agony.

  I started to compose in my mind what I might say to him as an explanation.

  Sergio, I’m afraid if we are sleeping together, and trying to work together, the book will suffer.

  Sergio, I could lose my job if our relationship gets in the way of the shoot, so we need to cut off the romance.

  Sergio, if you’re seen with me in public, you could get shot.”

  Ugh! I paced and thought about all the possibilities. There were no good answers.

  About an hour later, there was a knock on my door. I was totally surprised to see Sally. “Sally! What’s going on? Is everything okay?”

  “Can I come in?” she asked.

  “Sure!”

  She turned to me and said in a matter-of-fact tone, “You’re sleeping with him, aren’t you?”

  “What’re you talking about?” I asked, gesturing for her to come into the kitchen. “Can I pour you a glass of wine?”

  “That’d be great.” She sat down at the counter and continued, “I could tell from the tone of our conversation that you’re already emotionally involved with Sergio. I thought we’d better have that conversation we talked about sooner rather than later to do damage control, depending on how deeply you’re entrenched.”

  “You’re very perceptive, Sally.”

  “I’ve seen it before, and I just don’t want you to make any mistakes that will hurt you or him any more than you have to.”

  “We just met for the first time last week. He and his culinary director came to the studio to meet Dane and me to talk about the book. There was instant chemistry between us. Dane and I put a presentation together for the project, and I took it to Sergio on Friday. We had a great meeting, just the two of us. We shared a little Prosecco in celebration of the project going to Pratt Photography. At the end of that meeting, he invited me to dinner Saturday night at Buena Comida. It was a magical night that continued on through the next day. I saw him again last night and was supposed to see him tonight, but after I talked with you, I begged off. I needed time to think.”

  “Well, at least it’s only been going on for a few days. That’ll make it easier to sever the ties.” My expression must have shown my devastation, because she immediately followed up with, “No one’s dying. People break up all the time. I know it’s hard when you want to be with him, but you’ll still see him while you’re working together.”

  “That’s going to be the hardest thing -- working with him and not being able to be with him.”

  “Does anyone else know you’ve been seeing each other?”

  “Dane suspects, but I haven’t actually come out and told anyone. It’s all too new, and it really isn’t anyone’s business.”

  “Well, that’s probably good. Less explaining to do.”

  “Oh, Sally, I can’t stand this! Would it really be that bad if I told him I was in witness protection and just didn’t give him the details? At least maybe he would understand that it isn’t that I don’t care about him. It’s because I care about his safety.”

  “Bridget, nothing good can come of that. You don’t know who else might find out. If it’s the wrong person, your safety could be in jeopardy all over again. It’s better to break off the romantic relationship and move on. It’s only been a week since you met him. I’ve had situations where it had been months when I had to advise witnesses to break off relationships for their own safety. It’s never easy, but the sooner you do it, the better.”

  As much as I hated to admit it, I knew she was right. I would put it on the basis of the project and trying to keep it professional. Sergio would surely understand that. “Okay, I’ll take care of it in the next day or so. I’ll let you know how it goes. Thanks for watching out for me, Sally. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  “That’s what
I’m here for. You can come to me anytime, whether you’re in trouble, need a sounding board, or just want to have a glass of wine,” she said, smiling as she held up her glass to toast.

  I clinked glasses with her and said, “You’re the best.”

  She finished her wine and left. I felt a little better after talking through it with her, but I still hated that I had to cut myself off from the best thing that had happened to me since I arrived in Portland. I wondered whether I would ever be able to have a normal relationship with a man.

  **

  Wednesday morning around ten, a delivery man arrived at the studio with a dozen roses. The card read: I hope you’re feeling better. Can I see you tonight? Call me.

  It wasn’t signed – it didn’t need to be. A wave of sadness washed over me. Ending the romance with Sergio was going to be torture. I already felt a big, gaping hole in my heart.

  Dane had seen the flowers arrive from across the room. He came around the corner to my desk and said, “Well, well. What have we here? A secret admirer?” As soon as I looked up, he could tell I was upset. “What’s wrong? Flowers are supposed to bring a smile to your face.” He sat down next to me. “Seriously, Bridget, what’s the matter?”

  “It’s complicated,” I told him. “I appreciate your concern, but I’ll be okay.”

  “Are you sure? You tell me if there’s anybody you need me to beat up for you,” he said, holding up his arms in a boxing stance.

  I laughed. “Thanks, Dane. You take such good care of me.”

  “Hey, girl, we’re in this together. We all have to look out for each other.”

  “Yes, sir, we do, don’t we? I’ll be okay, really. Thanks.”