The Player (Broken Wishes Series Book 3)

by Joanne Sexton

It seemed that way and it bothered him. It hurt a little to think they found it so hard to believe that he would give womanizing up for one chance with Isabelle.

  Like Mitch, Isabelle attended more jobs than usual over the following two weeks, hoping to catch sight of him again and wondered for the thousandth time, why? As lonely as she was, she didn’t want to be a mark on his already full belt. He was gorgeous though, she couldn’t deny that.

  The image of blond hair falling over blue eyes and a charming smile wouldn't erase from her mind. No-one had ever invaded her thoughts quite so much, not even Adrian. She supposed this was different. Adrian had been her best friend. The thoughts she had about Mitch were far different. This simply confused her further. Was she being fanciful or was there a connection? How could this happen when he possessed everything she despised?

  Ever gossiping Adele told her he’d stopped sleeping around and everyone was astounded. Could she believe there was more to him and he wasn’t actually shallow? Should she take a chance and go out with him and find out for herself? Isabelle didn’t know. All she knew was she couldn’t shake him from her mind. Every time she turned up for a shoot, she looked for him. This concerned and surprised her. A big part of her hoped she would see him again, though she wished she didn’t. What had gotten into her?

  The following day’s shoot was for the client of the Seduction billboard, which looked fantastic. Mitch was talented and wasting it in her opinion. The confusing back and forth thoughts beset her as she soaked in a lavender scented bath. Could there be a nice guy hiding behind the player? Then there was the chemistry that passed between them like lightning bolts. It wasn’t as if she was going to jump into bed with him; how could dinner hurt?

  Her confusion still hadn’t abated as the water cooled. Isabelle needed a second opinion. After getting comfortable in her pajamas and warm fluffy robe, she checked on the sleeping Jesse, then sought out Carol and found her in the kitchen doing the dishes. She picked up a towel and started drying. Several minutes passed without a word. Sensing she had something to say, Carol waited till she was ready.

  “Mom, do you remember the photographer I told you about from the Seduction shoot?’

  She nodded and a small smirk surfaced. “I believe your words were ‘the gorgeous blonde that couldn’t be trusted’.”

  Isabelle frowned. “I’m glad you find it amusing.” Carol’s smile widened and Isabelle couldn’t help but return it. “Yeah, that would be him.”

  “What about him?” Carol’s tone sounded light and uninterested, but Isabelle knew different.

  “I can’t stop thinking about him.”

  “This is a problem?”

  “You know it is.”

  “Then why are you wasting your time thinking about him?”

  “I’ve heard he’s stopped… and I wondered…”

  “Whether you were too hasty dismissing him?”

  Isabelle nodded. Carol raised her eyebrows and the twinkle appeared in her eye. The familiar expression she adopted when Isabelle leapt to conclusions. What astounded Isabelle over the years was how untainted her mother was. After everything they had been through, Carol never seemed to judge anyone.

  “Let me get this straight. You’re actually regretting your decision?” Isabelle glared at her mother, but Carol continued. “Maybe you should give him the benefit of the doubt. He might be nice.” Another eyebrow raise followed her words.

  “Is it so hard to believe I might have changed my mind?” Isabelle knew she sounded defensive but didn’t care. How could her mother not be jaded like her?

  “No, I’m sorry, Isabelle. I’m just surprised.”

  Isabelle shrugged. She couldn’t blame Carol. Her track record proved how unforgiving she could be. “I’m hoping he’ll be at the shoot tomorrow, even though I know I shouldn’t. I really want him to not be a creep.”

  “There’s only one way to find out. I know you’re worried about Jesse. You can’t live like this forever either. If you like him…”

  “I hardly know him, but there is something… oh, I don’t know.” Isabelle leant against the counter, dishes forgotten. “If he’s there tomorrow…”

  “It can’t hurt to try, Isabelle. What’s the worst that can happen?”

  “He’s a creep.”

  “Then you’ll be in the same position you’re in now.”

  “I suppose.” Isabelle resumed her drying duties and they fell into another comfortable silence.

  “Oh, I almost forgot,” Carol said. “A letter came for you today without a postage stamp. It’s over on the bureau.”

  Isabelle abandoned the dishes again and went to retrieve it. A hand delivered letter was rather strange. She examined it for a moment; there was no return address. Only one way to find out; she tore it open.

  The single white sheet was typed.

  Dear Isabelle

  Would you know who I was if I spoke to you? Would you ignore me or welcome me? I despise who you are but love you all the same.

  A

  Signed A. Adrian. Why did it have to be A? He’s dead, yet here it is in black and white. A… who could it be?

  Isabelle re-read the letter to herself again before reading it aloud to Carol. She had no idea how to feel about its contents and it seemed, by Carol’s expression, that her sentiments were the same.

  “How strange,” Carol said.

  “I’m not even sure what it means.”

  “He, well, let’s presume it’s a he.” It was Isabelle’s turn to raise her eyebrows. “He knows where you live, which is worrying.” Carol frowned and her mouth set in a thin line typically associated with rare displays of anxiety.

  “What should I do?”

  “Report it to the police?”

  “I think that’s a bit hasty. It could be nothing. Maybe I should just ignore it.”

  “Be careful, Isabelle, there are a lot of crazy people out there.”

  “I will. I have to admit though, it is strange.”

  “Funny it’s signed A.”

  “You know, Mom, I was thinking the same thing.”

  In bed later that night, Isabelle found sleep difficult. Thoughts of Mitch and the letter filled her mind. Pushing aside her worries about what the letter meant for the moment, she wondered why she couldn’t get Mitchell Montgomery out of her head. They met once and that was over two weeks ago- surely, he’d forgotten about her. It’s loneliness, she decided. It would be nice to have someone special in her life. It had been a long while since she’d experienced love, companionship and passion.

  Over the years she buried her passionate side, knowing she couldn’t succumb to it because of Jesse. Was it time to set it free again? Was she reading far too much into one meeting?

  Probably.

  There were also the rumors of his reform and she wondered why. Perhaps he’d met someone. This thought bothered her more than she cared to admit. Life could be complicated sometimes.

  She pushed that aside as well. There was nothing she could do until she saw him again, and who knew when that would be?

  The letter flashed through her mind. Should she be nervous about the content? Perhaps she should ask some of her colleagues about whether they’d received letters or dealt with anything similar. If another letter came, she would decide what to do. Until then, she vowed to put it out of her mind. She needed to sleep.

  As she attempted to relax, thoughts of blue eyes and blonde hair overran her mind again before she finally drifted off into restless slumber.

  Chapter Six

  Hope

  As soon as Isabelle arrived at the studio she glanced around to see if Mitch would be the photographer.

  Nerves tickled her skin and sent her heart into a flurry. When she spotted him setting up, a jolt of electricity shot up from her toes to her neck. Her memories of him hadn’t been anywhere near as good as the real thing. Now what?

  She rushed into the back room to be styled. Maybe she could find out exactly what was going on with him. It seemed h
e was a hot topic and a few questions may reveal why. Isabelle was thrilled to see Adele would be preparing her for the shoot.

  “Good morning, Adele. I see Mitch is shooting me again. I was impressed by his work and I’m glad to see him here today.”

  “Oh, are you now?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is that the only reason or would it be something else?”

  “Like what?”

  “Maybe you’ve got the hots for him.” Adele smirked.

  Isabelle ignored her. “He’s not my type, remember?”

  “Well, he wasn’t, but that was before.”

  “So, it is true then?”

  “Is what true?” Her innocent expression wasn’t going to fool Isabelle.

  “Adele!”

  “I thought you weren’t interested.”

  “I’m not, just curious. Come on, I look forward to hearing all the latest news.”

  “Anyone would think I’m some kind of gossip.” Their eyes met in the mirror and they both laughed. “All right, I am. It’s true, from what I’ve heard he’s stopped sleeping around. Not for lack of trying from the girls though.”

  “Do you know why?”

  “No, not for sure. I think he might have met someone.”

  “Oh.” Isabelle tried to hide her disappointment. “I figured it might be something like that.”

  “I haven’t heard any details though.” Adele smothered a grin. It seemed that the hunky Mitchell had gotten to the impenetrable Isabelle. Well, clearly not so impenetrable. “I don’t actually know if he’s seeing someone, but this seems to be the general speculation. Nothing has been said to anyone about it. He just keeps turning down offers. It’s certainly a talking point.”

  “Maybe he isn’t a creep after all.”

  “I don’t think he is, just a guy making the most of what’s on offer. He’s apparently nice and has a close family. Most of the models cracking on to him don’t just do it cos he’s good in bed, but because they think they’ll be the one to change him.”

  “Maybe I was a bit hasty saying no when he asked me out.”

  Adele squealed and Isabelle thought she would poke out her eye with the mascara wand. “You are interested! I knew it!”

  “Maybe.” Isabelle offered a brief grin.

  “Go for it, girl! You work too hard.”

  “Maybe.”

  “Definitely. Now go get him. We’re all finished here.”

  Mitch checked the door periodically but had yet to see who had arrived for the shoot. Preparations took up his concentration and he thought it was possible he’d missed whoever it was. The anticipation and suspense had built up so much he thought he would burst with it. To distract himself, he prepared thoroughly.

  As he checked the lighting, he heard footsteps approaching from across the studio. When he turned and saw it was Isabelle, his breath caught. He’d forgotten how beautiful she was and for a moment thought his tongue would tie itself in knots again. Scoffing at his ridiculous school boy infatuation, he urged himself to speak. This time he would make the right impression. Never had he been so nervous or excited over a woman before. Be cool, Mitch.

  He ran through in his head what he would say to her and found all he had were his usual flirtatious, charm-filled lines. All of a sudden, he had no idea of how to make original conversation. Again. His pulse sped up and nerves caused his palms to sweat. When she smiled, all words were lost.

  “Hi, Mitch.”

  “Hey.” Her approach and friendly tone surprised him further. She’d acted like he was a leper last time.

  “Our billboard looks great. I’m impressed.”

  Heat filled his cheeks. Was he actually blushing? Where was the confident, charismatic Mitch when he needed him? “Um, thanks… it’s all you though.”

  “What is?” She was still smiling. A good sign.

  “The billboard. You make it look good, not me.”

  “Shall we say it’s a bit of both?” She paused to smile. A sexy smile that made his groin twinge. “I wanted to apologize for being rude.”

  He shrugged. “No need.”

  “Yes, there is. I want to make it up to you.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes. Is your dinner invitation still open?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Then I would like to accept.” Her smile was wide and mischievous, making his heart do flip flops.

  “Um, would you… I mean, how is Friday night? I mean tomorrow night being Friday… I know this great place…” Mitch stopped. He was rambling and discovered, to his horror, he was blushing again.

  Her eyes twinkled and his mortification grew. Standing before him, asking him out was the woman who had been on his mind nonstop for weeks and he stood there like a love-struck teenager, blushing like a fool. He hadn’t behaved this way when he was an actual teenager!

  “Sounds great.” She gave him her address and it took all his concentration to commit it to memory. “Now where do you want me?”

  Images flashed through his mind and he struggled to gain composure. There were all sorts of inappropriate places he wanted her.

  “Oh, for the shoot.” Did I just say that out loud? “I have a few ideas. Did you have anything in mind?”

  “I do actually.”

  With a graceful turn she walked towards the set and struck a pose. Once again impressed by her professionalism and lack of ego, Mitch began shooting and before they both knew it, they captured the shot, both skilled at their professions.

  “I think we got it,” Mitch said, reluctant for it to be over. At least through the camera he got to stare at her without looking like a crazed fool.

  “Great.” She smiled. “I can’t believe how easy it is to work with you.”

  “Likewise.” He hoped he wasn’t staring again.

  “So, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Sure.”

  She disappeared out the back. Mitch took his time packing away his gear hoping for the chance to chat to her again before she left. As he placed the last piece into his case, she re-emerged fresh faced and looking better than before, as she had the last time. The opportunity to speak to her more faded fast, for she waved and strolled towards the door. Closing the gap with long strides he caught her up as she pulled open the door.

  “I think today went well. I’m looking forward to tomorrow night.” Could he be any more eager? His inability to speak without appearing like a puppy lapping at the heels of his master caused him to groan internally. An improvement needed to be made to get through dinner.

  “Me too.” There was amusement in her tone.

  “You look great, by the way.” Better, Mitch.

  “A great make-up artist and stylist. I can’t take credit for that.”

  “No, I mean you look better now. I like you like this.”

  “Thanks.” Pink colored her cheeks. It would seem she could be coy too. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

  “You betcha.” God, did I really just say that. She giggled, waved and left. Yes, I did. Good one, Mitch.

  Chapter Seven

  The Date

  When the doorbell rang, Isabelle was adding some gloss to her lips.

  Taking a deep breath, she waited a few moments- she didn’t want to appear too eager- then rushed to answer the summons. Carol took Jesse out for dinner so that he wouldn’t be here when Mitch arrived. She would see how things went before she even entertained the idea of a meeting between them.

  Again, the bell rang and she called ‘coming’ as she hurried down the hall. She took another deep breath before she pulled open the door and had her breath stolen from her. He came armed with flowers and a smile. Instead of the jeans and t-shirt she’d seen him in previously, he wore black dress pants with a blue shirt and tie matching his eyes. His hair looked different and she realized he must have had it cut but was relieved to see it still crept down his face, just like that first moment she saw him.

  The urge to brush it back from his brow was just as s
trong.

  When Isabelle opened the door, Mitch took in a sharp breath. Her green dress wrapped around her sensational figure to the knee where it swirled outwards. The V neckline and shoe-string straps showed off her olive skin. Her eyes shone greener this evening, thanks to the dress, and her hair was piled up on her head, cascading down a little at the back. He stood, his mouth agape, unable to speak. The charismatic Mitch was hiding again.

  His ability to talk returned after several moments of him staring at her staring at him.

  “These are for you,” he said passing her the flowers. “You look beautiful.”

  “Thanks, you don’t look too bad yourself. I’m not overdressed, am I?” He shook his head. “Okay, I’ll put these in water, and then we can go.”

  Mitch watched her retreat into what he guessed was the kitchen before glancing around the apartment, to discover it appeared quite small. This surprised him, as he thought she would be able to afford a better place on her income. When she returned, she guided him out the door, locked it, and then linked her arm through his.

  “Shall we go?”

  “Um, yes.” Her arm resting on his sent ripples of heat over his skin. “It isn’t far. We can walk from here if you want.”

  “Sounds good. It’s a nice night.”

  They strolled and chatted about their favorite things around the city while watching the sun setting over the horizon. The walk was short and in no time, they arrived at the restaurant. It was one she wanted to try for some time but was way out of her budget.

  “I’ve heard about this place, but never got around to it,” she said, not wanting to let on too much about her lack of finances.

  “I love it here. The food and atmosphere are great.”

  “You must come here a lot.” Was that a twinge of envy in her voice at the thought of other women here with him? This was new.

  “I usually come here with my family. I haven’t brought a date here before.”