by Aimee McNeil
The next morning Sophie felt like a ghost of herself as she crawled out of bed. She went to check on Margaret, who was still asleep. She pulled the door closed and walked quietly down the stairs and entered the kitchen where Charlotte was baking bread. The smell made her mouth water.
“It smells amazing in here.”
“Are you feeling all right, dear? You look pale.” Charlotte looked at her with concern. “I will put some tea on for you.” Charlotte plugged in the kettle.
“Yes. Just didn’t sleep very well.” Sophie smiled half-heartedly.
“Seems to be a trend this morning. Ashton left a short while ago. It looked like he hadn’t slept at all.” Charlotte shook her head.
“He’s gone?” Sophie frowned.
“Yeah. He said he had to take care of some things before he caught his flight later. He took a job offer that started immediately. He’ll be back for goodbyes later. He didn’t want to wake Margaret too early.”
Sophie suddenly had no appetite. Ashton mentioned a job overseas but she didn’t realize it was so soon. She knew that she should be relieved because this is what she wanted. Ashton admitted that Lucinda still meant something to him but she couldn’t help but feel sick to her stomach. The more she was with him the harder it was to let go.
Charlotte understood Sophie didn’t want to talk, saying no more about it as she set tea in front of Sophie and went about her business. When Sophie finished she went to wake Margaret to ready herself for the nurse’s arrival for a routine checkup.
The day flew by as Sophie’s thoughts were consumed with her pain of knowing that Ashton was leaving. It made her question everything she was doing. His confession of love wound so tightly around her heart. She only wished it was enough for him to walk away from Lucinda but apparently it wasn’t.
Sophie had a meeting with Mr. Heshman midafternoon to view her artwork. She made sure she was back at her apartment with enough time to lay out all her paintings to view easily.
“These are incredible. I would like to display them all,” Mr. Heshman commented as he stood before the work spread out around her apartment. “The colors and the details are amazing. This is exactly what my gallery needs to give it a fresh look.” Mr. Heshman was a tall man with a slim build. His facial hair was trimmed in a very unique manner that gave him an artsy look with his thick framed glasses. He was excitable by nature and warm in his approach. Sophie knew immediately that she liked him. He had a very endearing energy about him.
“Sophie, you are such a pleasure. Thank you for this opportunity. I will arrange someone to pick up these paintings over the next few days and then we will be in contact to discuss appropriate pricing for each piece. I assume you are willing to part with everything should the price meet your satisfaction?”
“Of course. Except for one painting. I don’t wish to sell this piece.” Sophie indicated the painting of Ashton that drew her eye no matter where she was in her apartment.
“Ah…this one holds special meaning,” Mr. Heshman acknowledged with understanding. “Well, I would love to display it regardless. If you are willing to part with it temporarily, that is?”
“Yes. That would be fine,” Sophie agreed.
“It was a pleasure, Sophie. I would be interested in showing any future pieces that you create. Please be in touch. I think this arrangement will suit us both very well if your work is received as well as I anticipate. I have been in this business long enough to recognize unique and wonderful talent when I see it. I would also like to set up a photo shoot to get your picture taken. People are always interested in discovering the artist behind the canvas and you my dear, are too lovely not to show off.”
“Thank you, Mr. Heshman, for this wonderful opportunity.” Sophie shook his hand.
“Please call me Falon.”
The meeting went better than she expected. She was excited with the possibilities this arrangement could bring for her. Mr. Heshman had very good connections in the art world. Painting was something that she knew she was supposed to be doing. When she sat down in front of her easel she had no doubts, she was made for expression with art. Sophie loved the feel of a brush in her hand and the smooth glide of the paint as it spread across the canvas.
“That went well.” Mel walked up beside her and nudged her side.
“It was probably all the cookies you kept feeding him.” Sophie laughed. The apartment smelled of vanilla from Mel’s creations.
“I needed an unbiased opinion. He certainly liked the oatmeal ones.”
“Or maybe the half-dressed girl that kept feeding them to him.” Sophie nudged Mel back.
“What? These shorts make my butt look hot.” Mel defended her insanely short shorts with an innocent smile and flutter of her eyelashes.
“That’s because you can see your butt.” Sophie laughed and shook her head. “I’ll drop that paperwork off to John on my way back to Margaret’s. She loaned me her car.”
“Well, aren’t you just weaseling your way into that woman’s heart,” Mel said as she dropped a bunch of cookies in a paper bag. “Here you go. Test some out on your rich friends and see how they like them.”
“Thanks,” Sophie said, grabbing the bag from Mel and the folder with their finalized business proposal.
“Take care of yourself, Sophie. We got a business to start and the circles under your eyes are scaring me.” Mel placed her hands on her hips.
“See you tomorrow.”
“Oh…I think I will move back into my place today. I am paying rent after all.”
“Are you sure? You know that you are welcome to stay as long as you want.”
“As much as I love your sofa,” Mel said sarcastically, “I’m ready for the next step. Besides, things between me and Dustin are getting serious and I don’t think you want us making sweet love on your sofa.”
“Very true. Glad we’re on the same page.”
Margaret’s recovery was going well and Sophie noticed she was getting her energy back. Sophie smiled when she noticed her painting was hung over the fireplace in the main sitting room. “It’s like it was always meant to be there.” Margaret said. “Marcus hung it up when he was here earlier. They are heading back home and were sorry that they couldn’t see you again before they left.”
Sophie felt bad that she had intentionally avoided coming over when they were here but she couldn’t bring herself to face them. She felt like they were disappointed in her for having walked away from Ashton. He had told them before he had left to take his job that they were no longer together. “I’m sorry that I missed them. They are so lovely.”
“I think they’re still holding onto the hope that the two of you will get back together,” Margaret said with a sad smile.
“Ashton and I not being together is the best for everyone in the long run,” Sophie declared.
“I have to disagree and I know that Ashton feels the same way. I’m not sure what happened between the two of you but the look in his eye when he said goodbye to me today was not the look of someone who wanted to leave.” Margaret smoothed the blanket over her lap.
“There’s too much history and heartache between the two of us,” Sophie admitted.
“I think that the only thing that his heart has known is love for you.” Margaret said. Sophie sat down on the chair beside Margaret with a sigh. “But unfortunately it is not always enough. I’m sure everything will unfold as it is supposed to in time.” Margaret smiled like she was holding a secret.
“I suppose.” Sophie frowned. His heart unfortunately also knows something for Lucinda…
“The heart is a very complicated thing,” Margaret said thoughtfully.
***
Sophie kept herself busy for the weeks leading up to her mother’s wedding. Margaret had received positive feedback from her doctor in regards to her recovery and success in removing all cancerous tissue from her body. They were now monitoring her closely and making sure her progress continued. Within a couple of weeks she was back to her usua
l busy self, booking her schedule with events and meetings to continue her work in the community. Sophie admired her strength. Margaret had even helped Sophie plan her mother’s bachelorette tea that came together beautifully. Margaret had arranged for it to be hosted at an elegant country club. The staff served the most delicious sweets and sandwiches to accompany their tea. All of the women in her mother’s life came together to celebrate their friendships and wish her mother well in her new life with Peter. Her mother had many friendships that developed over the years that filled the void of family she did not have. Sophie knew most of them. They were all familiar in her childhood memories. Sophie couldn’t wish for a better group of people to be in her mother’s life.
Falon had arranged for her pieces to be picked up. Her apartment felt bare after all the paintings were packed up and shipped out. The gallery opening date was set and Sophie looked forward to seeing how her work was received. The financing had also been finalized for their Cookie Café and Mel and Sophie were preparing for their grand opening to take place a week after her mother’s wedding. The work on the building was close to completion. Their menu was confirmed after consuming an insane amount of cookies and perfecting recipes that kept the girls up late for many nights.
Sophie stood in the small office in the back of the café that smelled of fresh paint. Two small desks were sitting in the room with a couple of filing cabinets. The girls decided on warm, inviting colors for their café and were very pleased now that they were covering the walls.
Sophie held a letter from their investor. They had not dealt with the company personally. All their dealings had gone through John, who operated as the middleman. Sophie was grateful the investors were taking a chance on their new company. Without the financing this would not have been possible. Sophie had written a letter to thank them for the opportunity, making it possible for them to open their new business. She had given it to John to deliver and was surprised she had gotten a response. Sophie sat down in her chair and opened the letter.
Dear Sophie Rogers,
Thank you for your letter. You presented an opportunity I could not refuse. It is an investment that I know is well made.
I look forward to hearing of your success.
Sophie flipped the letter over in her hand. There was no signature or name assigning the letter to a person, only the company logo in the upper right corner. She ran her finger over the crown emblem. It was familiar somehow as she traced the lines. She had seen it somewhere before her dealings with John but she could not place it. Suddenly the realization hit her. She had seen it on some of Ashton’s paperwork. It was his family’s company. Holy crap!
Sophie grabbed her phone. She had to know for sure. The phone rang three times and she almost lost the nerve and hung up but then Ashton’s voice rattled her. She missed him so much that the mere sound of his voice pulled tears from deep inside her.
“Sophie?” He spoke her name. It had never sounded so beautiful to her ears. She forgot to answer when she became wrapped up in how much she missed him. “Are you all right?”
“Yes…I just wanted to know if it was you that invested in our company.”
She was met with silence on the other line. “It’s what I do. I make investments.”
“Would you have done it if you didn’t know me?” Sophie asked.
She heard him sigh on the other line. “Just let it be, Sophie.”
“Why did you do it? There is no guarantee that this company will make any profit.”
“I don’t fucking care about the money, Sophie. I wanted to help you…just a second.” Sophie heard him speak to a woman in muffled voices before coming back on the line. “I have to go, Sophie.”
She couldn’t help the jealousy that twisted in her stomach even though she had no idea who was with him. She wanted to be there beside him. “I miss you,” she whispered.
“Don’t say things you don’t mean. Goodbye, Sophie.” Tears slipped down her cheek as she listened to him hang up. She had no idea where in the world he was right now, she only knew that wherever it was, her heart was with him. She let her phone slip from her fingers and fall into her lap as the tears flowed freely. Why did I say that? Either get in or get out.
“Did you see the arms on the guy out there? What’s wrong, Sophie?” Mel sat in her chair and wheeled herself closer to Sophie.
“It was Ashton who gave us the money.” Sophie wiped her tears from her face.
“Then he’s smarter than I gave him credit for.” Mel tried to brighten Sophie’s mood. “How can he go wrong investing in two hot girls selling their cookies?”
Sophie couldn’t help but laugh through her tears.
“I miss him so much, Mel, it hurts.” Sophie welcomed Mel’s embrace when she offered it. “Why couldn’t he love me enough to walk away from her?”
“So much for not falling in love.” Mel patted Sophie’s shoulder.
Sophie took a deep shaky breath. “Ashton moving away was a sign that this was never going to work anyway. How can he really love me when he admitted to still having feelings for Lucinda?”
Mel looked at her with an unsure expression on her face. “I have no fucking idea. I don’t think things line up the way they are supposed to unless you make them. You think about things way too much—it even makes me confused. I just know that you can’t just keep staring at that painting of him hoping that he’ll crawl out of it.”
“I know,” Sophie sighed. “What time is it? I have to head into the restaurant for my last shift.” Sophie stood up and took a deep breath and dried her face.
“Okay. We’ll talk about this later…you’re not gonna do anything stupid like tell him we don’t want his money right?” Mel asked nervously.
“It’s a little late for that.”
“Good,” Mel said relieved as she leaned back in her chair. “Though, maybe you should ask him to explain what is going on with Lucinda. It might make this whole situation clearer.”
Chapter
Twenty-Eight
When Sophie walked into the restaurant for her last shift she felt a mixture of sorrow and anticipation. She had an attachment to this place after spending so much time within these walls. She had gotten the job when she moved here two years ago. Even though people had come and gone, there were still some she worked with who had been constant in her life during that time. Even with the recent drama with Megan, she would miss this place. There was also the excitement to be entering a new chapter in her life. She knew that this job was only supposed to be temporary. It was never a long-term plan and now life was leading her down another path.
Megan had avoided Sophie since her outburst and Sophie was grateful for it. She wanted to get her job done without having to watch her back. Sophie managed her tables and things moved rather uneventfully through the evening until Sophie approached her last table of the night. Lucinda was sitting in a booth by herself, waiting for her.
Sophie felt her stomach drop as she looked at Lucinda staring back at her. Sophie turned on her heel to find one of the other waitresses to serve her, when Lucinda called after her.
“It’s not what you think. I just want to talk to you…promise.” Lucinda didn’t have the usual menacing energy that she usually exuded. She looked smaller than Sophie remembered her with her shoulders rounded and her small frame tucked behind the table. The only thing Sophie could read was the sadness that had settled around her. Her strawberry blonde hair was cut shorter than Sophie remembered, falling just below her shoulders. “I don’t want to start anything.”
“I hope you realize it’s a little hard for me to believe that with our history.” Sophie looked around the quieting restaurant. Sighing in defeat, she slid into the booth next to her. “Talk then,” Sophie said with reservation.
“Okay, where do I start? This is not easy for me but I owe Ashton.” Lucinda fidgeted with her hands like she was nervous. The gesture surprised Sophie. “My whole life I was never really good at anything but I had my looks and that seem
ed to get me what I wanted. It’s all anyone seemed to care about. Everyone looked up to me and I won’t lie, I loved the attention. I loved the power that I had over people but it didn’t matter how much makeup I wore or what outfit, I always knew Ashton saw through it all. I wasn’t a good person but he stayed with me anyway. He always took care of me…especially when my father died. My father was the only person besides Ashton that saw something more in me than what was on the outside. When he died I was devastated.”
Sophie stayed silent as Lucinda spoke. She wasn’t even sure where this conversation was going but she found this side of Lucinda endearing. It made her seem real. “I had only just started going back to school after his death when you showed up and something changed in Ashton. There was a fire in his eyes when he looked at you I had never seen before, no matter how much I tried to win his affection. You were this perfect person that I worked so hard to convince people I was. I hated you so much…” Lucinda said the words but they lacked true conviction, as if the feeling was lost to them now.
“He always tried to convince me that he didn’t have feelings for you but I knew he was trying to protect you. That is what he has always done. He protects those he cares about. I was a horrible person and I wanted to destroy everything about you because you were everything I was not. He fell for you in one instant. I saw it when you walked into the classroom. I knew he wouldn’t break up with me because he knew I needed him. I was struggling with my father’s death and I took advantage of his loyalty when I should have let him go. It was me who made up all the rumors and then told everyone it came from Ashton. You believed every word and I loved it. The only reason he was mean to you was because it was the only time you ever acknowledged him. You would fire up. Any other time you would keep your head down and ignore him. To be honest, I was scared you would take Ashton from me and he was all I had.”