Page 35 of Dreaming of You

Chapter Eight

"It's been awhile," Vanessa said, as Barrett rose to his feet, looking more than a little uncomfortable.

"It has," he agreed.

"I should have figured I'd run into you here. It's your favorite place."

"And I never thought I'd run into you here," Barrett replied shortly. "You were never a fan of Sonny's."

"A client of mine is having a birthday party in the private room."

He nodded, his jaw tight. "Okay."

"How have you been?" Vanessa asked.

"Great." He didn't bother to ask how she had been.

As Kate watched the two of them give each other a long, tense look, she wondered if there was any love still between them or if it was anger that put the crackle in the air.

Barrett seemed like he'd completely forgotten she was there, and the model-pretty redhead hadn't even bothered to acknowledge her.

"We should talk sometime," Vanessa said. "I have been thinking about you lately. My father is having a retirement party next week. He mentioned he wouldn't mind seeing you there."

"I don't think so," Barrett said.

"You used to like my dad."

He shrugged.

"It wasn't all bad, Barrett," she continued.

"I think you've forgotten a lot."

"Or maybe you have. You look good." Her gaze ran down his fit, handsome body.

"So do you," he muttered.

As another awkward pause dropped between them, Kate cleared her throat.

Barrett started, giving her a quick glance. "Sorry. This is Vanessa—Richards," he said, stumbling over the last name. "You went back to your maiden name, didn't you?"

"I did," she said shortly.

"This is Kate Marlow."

"Hello," she said.

Vanessa gave her a nod and a quick, "Hello." Then she said, "I need to meet my client. Think about the party, Barrett. It's a week from Friday. It would mean a lot to my father."

"I doubt your fiancé would appreciate my presence."

"Oh." Her expression changed, a bleak look entering her eyes. "There is no fiancé, not anymore. This one was smart enough to bail before the wedding," she said with a touch of sarcasm. "My father's party is at Rutherford's Steak House, seven thirty."

"I'm sorry, but I can't make it."

She sighed. "All right. I'll let him know."

As Vanessa moved away, Barrett sat down, his jaw still tight, dark shadows in his eyes.

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