Page 42 of Smoke and Shadows

“It’s good.”

“Derek Lockwood, huh? You know he has quite the reputation.”

“He’s changed.”

“If you say so.” David shrugged.

Sophie fumed. Derek didn’t deserve all the doubts heaped on him by the media. Though it was admittedly still awkward to be running into his past liaisons, she wasn’t jealous anymore. Because he had proven time and again that he loved her to distraction and would risk everything for her.

“So, do you have a girlfriend?” she asked to deflect the subject back to David.

“No, the woman I was hoping to fill that position married someone else.”

Okay, this is getting aggravating.

“David—”

“You never gave me a chance, Sophie.”

“We’ve been over this. Don’t make it awkward.”

His face finally softened and he reached out to touch her face. Sophie fought the urge to flinch. She owed him this at least.

“Sorry, Sophie. It’s just that—” He smiled sheepishly. “Never mind. I hope you won’t let my dumbass behavior prevent you from coming to class.”

“Anytime you need my kendo stick to knock some sense into you, let me know.”

“My, you’re a bloodthirsty vixen.”

They both laughed as the tension eased.

As they were perusing the dessert menu, Sophie’s phone rang. It was Derek.

She had a moment of panic, but decided to answer. Knowing her husband, he would continue calling until he’d actually talked to her.

“Hey, honey, what’s up?”

“Hi, Angel, how are drinks with Beth going?”

Sophie fidgeted in her chair and shifted away from David to mumble into her phone. “It’s okay. I don’t think I’ll drink another martini.”

“Where are you? Maybe I could join you?”

“Ah…we’re bar hopping.”

Silence. And then, “Sounds a bit too quiet to be at a bar.”

“Um, you caught me at the ladies room.”

Another uncomfortable pause.

“I guess I’ll see you when you get home.”

“Okay.”

“I love you, Sophie.”

“Love you, too.”

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