by Iris Blobel
Stupid lawyer. Stupid, stodgy lawyer. Stupid, oh-so-good-looking and good-kissing lawyer. Exhaling slowly, she raked through her long hair with her fingers, straightened up, and focussed on why she actually was in the main streets. Self-preservation was something she was good at. Something she had learnt over the years. And she could do it again.
With even more enthusiasm, she walked along all the stalls. She’d read and heard so much about the markets at the Hobart waterfront. They checked out the variety of different stalls, all set between plane trees and the mellow sandstone facades of historic warehouses. It was popular with tourists, and she could see why. The atmosphere was unique, and she loved it. Even though she didn’t feel like having food, they had something to eat. The freshly baked products smelled too delicious to go past.
Before they headed over to the bus station to return home Sophie bought a little present for Kristen as thanks for the invitation. She was looking forward to spending the evening with adults and having more mature conversations. With a deep sigh, she hugged Mia and whispered, “I love you.”
The stab of guilt in her made her do that.
The afternoon went by quickly, with Mia finally unpacking some of her belongings and making the room hers. Sophie tried hard to keep herself busy by tidying up the front yard a bit. She’d had the intentions to do more painting, but the simple thought reminded her of Mark, and she wasn’t ready for that, yet.
But they must’ve been both excited about going out, because they were both ready well before it was time to leave.
Sophie smiled. “Ready?”
Mia nodded. “How are we going to get there?”
“Kristen is going to pick us up, and I saved enough money for a taxi back home.”
The little girl’s face beamed. It was all sorted. So they waited for Kristen, passing time by singing songs.
The car ride was short, and some relief came off Sophie’s shoulders considering the taxi fare wouldn’t be too expensive.
Kristen chatted most of the way about how lucky they were with the weather, and that the barbeque was going to be outside. In less than a few minutes, they arrived. The typical smell of the barbeque smoke and roasted meat met them as soon as they opened the car doors. It smelled delicious.
They followed Kristen along the driveway into the backyard. It was already a pleasant atmosphere with lots of chatter going on. Mia ran off as soon as she saw Olivia and joined the group of young kids. Warmth rushed through Sophie when she heard the children welcome Mia with excited voices. Her gaze went around the beautifully looked-after backyard and its variety of flowers. She didn’t know much about plants, but she did recognise a few rose bushes, pansies, and lilies. A little corner with vegetables reminded her that she had the best intentions to start one as well. When she heard a familiar voice, she looked up and saw Georgia.
“Hello, Sophie. So glad you could come. This is my husband, Leo.”
Before she could properly respond, Sophie was also introduced to Kristen’s husband, Thomas.
Then she spotted Mark in the back. Her gaze lingered on him a tad too long, yet she couldn’t help but stare. He looked great with his white shirt, which clung to his flat stomach and tucked loosely into some old faded cargos. An easy smile played at the corners of his mouth as he listened to the person next to him.
Everything inside her screamed — out of anger, frustration, and as much as she hated to admit it, longing. In all her excitement, she’d never even thought twice about him being here. Of course, she knew Kristen worked with or for Mark, but who would’ve assumed that she’d invite him to her barbeques as well.
Why couldn’t he spent the time with his woman and let Sophie enjoy a wonderful evening?
She cursed inwardly, but then took a deep breath, smiled, and ordered herself to ignore him. And the fact that she had sat on his lap the other day. Ignoring their kiss and his touch on her. She rolled her eyes at herself. So much for a nice evening out and making friends.
“Would you like a glass of wine?”
Sophie startled shivered as he whispered into her ear. His breath caressing her skin. His voice sending her desires into overdrive.
God damn it. How the hell did he sneak up?
Trying terribly hard to keep her composure, she turned and met his gaze spot on.
“No thanks. I’ll help myself,” was all she was able to reply as she walked away from him.
Yet despite all her best intentions, she caught herself staring at him throughout the evening, trying hard to participate in the conversation around her as well. Avoiding him was tricky, but she was able to, although the hurt inside was near unbearable. Fortunately, the evening turned out to be much more enjoyable as she’d initially anticipated. She loved talking to everyone. Liked having adult conversations. She often was the centre of the conversation with Kristen’s friends interested in her move to Hobart, and whether she liked it in Tasmania’s capital. She mentioned her studies and her job at the café to keep the piggybank happy.
“It’s photography, though, that she should be doing,” she heard Mark say into the round.
Sophie stared at him and was about to have the same argument as the other day, when Georgia said, “Oh. I will have to introduce you to my cousin, Jeri. She owns a small gallery on Elizabeth Street. She could tell you whether your pictures are any good.”
Taken aback and too stunned for words, Sophie stared at Georgia. She couldn’t believe what she’d just heard.
“That’d be truly kind of you. I’d appreciate that,” was all she was able to say after a long moment.
“No problems at all. It’s small, but becoming popular with the locals as well the tourists. Next time the girls will have a play you come over as well for a cup of tea and I’ll give you all the details. Or even better, I’ll get Jeri to come around as well.”
It was all too much for Sophie, but she tried hard to hold back any tears. It wasn’t the place or time to fall into a heap. But inside, her emotions raged like a summer’s storm. She’d thought the house was a blessing, a start of a new life, but it seemed her whole life might have been touched with a bit of good luck. Every morning that she woke in their new house, she pinched herself. Could she really hope for more chances to come her way?
The irony of it all was, though, it was all thanks to Mark’s mention of her love for photography. Out of all, the one she liked the least at the moment.
Chapter Nine
Sitting in Mark’s car on her way home was the last thing Sophie had wanted. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed as he ran his fingers through his hair. She knew the telltale sign by now. It was a sign of his agitation. Good, because she was frustrated as well. He had offered her a lift home, and to her utter surprise, she had heard herself saying yes. It wasn’t what she had expected, but she hadn’t been able to deny his offer in front of everyone. It’d been a lovely evening, and she had enjoyed the company, the chatter, the laughter, the food, and the friendship.
Kristen had explained that she’d invited Mark on short notice the previous day. Even though he was her boss, they shared a longstanding friendship as well. With that in mind, Sophie had tried hard to put on a brave face.
But sitting so close to him in the car now made her feel uncomfortable. She looked over her shoulder to Mia in the back. The little girl was fast asleep already. No wonder. Her sister had been running around and playing with all the other children literally non-stop since they’d arrived. It had been wonderful seeing her so happy amongst her new friends.
“Wanna tell me what happened?”
She shot around. “Pardon me?”
“Back there. I had the feeling I got the cold shoulder from you today.”
She noticed how he watched her out of the corner of his eye. With a deep sigh, she turned to glance out of the window and shrugged. “Guess I was a bit nervous. It kind of was an important outing for me. It was wonderful to talk to other adults. I love Mia, but… anyway.
Nerves.”
He moved his hand to touch hers. “That’s why Kristen invited me. So you would have someone familiar around.”
Sophie removed her hand from his and rubbed her temple. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, although she wasn’t sure what she was apologising for. After all, he was the one who should be sorry. A few minutes later, they arrived at her house, and he parked the car in the driveway, took Mia out of the back, and carried her to the front door.
Apprehension spread through her. And the concern that she wasn’t able to tell him what was on her mind. She sighed because Mark was the one man who actually had made her feel something. Not just something, but that she was able to be herself, as well as feel safe with him. And he didn’t seem deterred by the fact that little Mia was part of her life. However, she’d been fooled and hurt by him.
Her guard was on full alarm.
“Thanks for the lift, Mark. I’ll take her. Sorry for not inviting you in, but I’ve got quite a headache coming on, and I’m terribly tired as well.”
She took Mia into her arms. It didn’t get past her how he thrust his jaw forward. An icy silence surrounded them. He glared wordlessly at her for a moment before he mumbled a goodbye and left. Just like that.
Of course, it would’ve been the right thing to do to tell him she’d seen him earlier that day kissing another woman, but she hadn’t lied when she’d said she was tired. She was worn out from all the changes in her life. She was worn out from meeting new people almost every day and trying her hardest to remember not only their names, but also their little story. But she was also worn out by still worrying that the bubble could burst in an instant. She didn’t need a man to make her life even more complicated. All she wanted was someone to lean on. Not difficult relations. Not a man who already had someone else. She had been fooled and hurt before. Badly. Lesson learnt. It was time to try and move on. A little sigh escaped her as she walked down the hall. As much as she tried the denial thing, she really liked Mark and missed him when he wasn’t around. And that, after only a few weeks.
Mia stirred in her arms and became too heavy for her, so she hurriedly unlocked the door. Sophie took off her sister’s shoes and pants, but didn’t bother with anything else before she tucked her into bed.
Then she took a quick shower as well, trying to wash away all her worries. Once she was in her PJs, she clicked off the lights and tucked herself into bed, curling her legs close to her body. She pictured Mark and wished she could turn back time and change the outcome of the day.
****
Mark grabbed a beer out of the fridge and chugged half of it before coming up for air. Then he walked through his apartment to the window, finishing off the beer as he went.
Stuffed if he knew what was going on with Sophie. Leaning against the window frame, he watched the world outside go by. Like most Saturday nights, people were buzzing along the Salamanca Plaza, despite the cooler weather. The Mexican group playing the panpipes was there again, and he closed his eyes for a moment to listen to their rhythm. It had been one extraordinary day. He raked his fingers through his hair, before he had a quick feel of the tiny bruise at his cheek. It wasn’t so much the physical pain but his pride that hurt. Right in the middle of Hobart, he’d received a decent slap from a woman. He shook his head. No, he didn’t feel guilty. What they’d had hadn’t been a relationship. More like a convenient partnership.
When he’d run into Linda a few years earlier again at a conference in Sydney, they’d remembered the old school day stories. Unfortunately, after a couple of drinks too many, they’d woken in the same bed after a passionate night together. Since then they had shared the odd evenings together, were each other’s company for important dinners or events and sex buddies, but it’d never elevated it to something one would define a relationship in the sense of being a couple. Hence his surprise to her reaction that morning.
But he knew he’d done the right thing.
Sophie’s image popped into his mind, making his lips curl into a smile. There was something about her, he was impossible to resist. It could’ve been her beautiful smile or the warmth of her body when she stood close to him. Remembering the moment he’d touched her silky skin nearly did him in. He was falling for her, and he was falling hard.
And he’d thought she had been interested, too.
That was what left him more confused by her behaviour at Kristen’s barbeque.
What the hell happened?
He rubbed his cheek again. At least she hadn’t hit him. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he admitted that maybe she was right. He took another sip of his beer as let that thought sink in.
She was right.
Mentally pushing away the few memories he’d had of Sophie, he let sanity return, beginning to understand it was better the way it worked out. It was all about the ethics of his profession. Despite the ache it created in his chest, and as much as he disliked it in this instance, he had to adhere to it.
As he was about to grab another drink, the blinking light of the answering machine caught his eye. After a moment of indecision, Mark let out a heavy sigh, walked over, and reluctantly pressed the replay button. Linda’s voice came on, grating over his nerves, and he cut it off. Ignoring her request for a call, he instead pressed the quick dial for Jared.
“Mate, what’s up?”
Jared’s voice sounded sleepy. “Fuck off. Ya know the time?”
Mark glanced at the clock and smiled. “C’mon, grandpa. It’s eleven on a Saturday evening. You’re not in bed, are you?”
There was a moment of silence, and he thought he heard the background noise of Jared walking through his small house to the kitchen. “Tough day. Had to catch up on crappy paperwork.”
There was the distinguished sound of the kettle. For a cup of coffee, he assumed.
“Okay, what’s up? Which of your ladies is causing the problem?”
For Pete’s sake. Really? Is it that obvious? “What makes you think that?”
“Mate, you’re not calling at this hour of the day at the weekend for nothin’.”
Mark walked through his apartment again back to the window. “Nothing I can’t deal with.”
Jared’s laughter annoyed him.
“Is Tuesday still on?” Mark asked.
“Tuesday it is. Like it’s been for the last few years. Squash Centre at six. Bring ya girl,” he teased.
“She’s not my girl.”
“Not ya girl, or not allowed to be ya girl?”
Mark hung up. Annoyed. Irritated. And frustrated, because his friend was right.
The phone rang. Of course, it was Jared. “I’ll meet you in half an hour at the pub. I’m awake now, so I might as well do something.”
Before Mark could reply, the dial tone buzzed in his ear. Gritting his teeth, he replayed Linda’s message and made a note to give her a call the next day. She wanted to talk.
Well, he didn’t. At least not to her. Ten minutes later, he grabbed his jacket and joined Jared at the pub.
Chapter Ten
Sophie stared at her groceries, which were spread all over the footpath. She forced herself to breathe in and breathe out. Furious didn’t begin to describe the intensity of what she felt. Anguish spread through her mixed with disappointment. Still, the fury inside her wanted to hand out a decent whack to this woman. This was now the second time this week that her neighbour from number forty had bumped into her while walking past her. Who did something like that on purpose?
It hadn’t taken Sophie much to figure out that for some odd reasons a few neighbours weren’t as welcoming as she would have hoped. Mrs. Stuck-Up at number forty was one of them. It hurt. Of course, it hurt. Sophie wasn’t aware of any wrongdoing on her part, and yet she was treated like an outcast. But she was stronger than them. She knew their kind. The type that thought they were better than everyone else. A litany of curses did the trick to ease perhaps ten percent of her frustration. Ninety percent was still watching N
umber Forty nearly tripping over a little bump on the footpath and almost losing her footing.
Letting out a soft exhale, Sophie looked down at her shopping bag again, but froze briefly when she noticed a set of feet right in front of her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Although worried about any more humiliation coming her way, she slowly opened her eyes, determined to… but she lost her thoughts. She stared at the eyes of a man, kneeling in front of her — holding her lettuce.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
Not sure whether she could trust herself to speak, she simply nodded. As unnoticeable as possible, she wiped away the tear that had made its way across her cheek. Then she felt his thumb on her face, wiping the other tear away. She looked up and met his gaze. Beautiful green eyes that just about caused havoc inside her and a shiver down her spine. Green eyes that belonged to one very delicious voice. He wore jeans that fit tight around his muscular legs and an old worn-out grey T-shirt. The blond hair was unkempt with little locks falling over his forehead.
“Just ignore her.”
“I do. It’s she who needs to please ignore me,” she replied quietly.
The man choked back a laugh. “I know what you mean.” He packed the last bit into the shopping bag and stood, holding out his hand to help her to her feet. “You’re the new ones in Ms. Bellinger’s old house, aren’t you?”
Taken aback by what he had said her eyes were fixated on his as she tried to reach for her bag.
“How about I help you carry this home?”
“Did you know Ms. Bellinger?”
He started walking and seemingly ignored her attempts to still grab the bag. “I won’t steal anything,” he said with a wink.