“Don’t know yet. I have to check with George. He’s in the city, too.”
The news hit Sophia like a brick. Sweat slickened her hands, and something sour flooded her mouth. She breathed through her nose audibly. “What’s he doing here?”
“Some kind of a new business deal with a guy named Starling or something. I wasn’t paying attention. He’s been here for a couple of weeks.”
“He doesn’t have to come.” There was no way Sophia was going to see Libby if George was tagging along.
“But he’s going to want to see you, too.”
“You know what? I really need to check with Dane. He’s so busy, he’s always got all these meetings and presentations and everything, but maybe he can find some time, you know?” Sophia clicked her mouth shut when she realized she was babbling.
“Sure! Text me with a time.”
“Actually why don’t you text me with a few time slots that are good for you and we can go from there?”
“Will do, this afternoon. Love ya!” Libby signed off with a loud kissy noise into the phone.
“Love you too.”
Sophia tossed the phone on the counter and buried her face in her hands. It didn’t matter where Libby was now. Sophia couldn’t see her best friend, not when George was around. But she still didn’t know how to tell Libby the truth without hurting her.
Someone started knocking at the door. Sophia jerked around, almost falling off the stool she was sitting on. Her heart hammered with a spike of adrenaline.
It’s not George. He doesn’t know where I am.
Fingering her necklace, she took a quick peek through the peephole and opened the door. On the other side was Vanessa. Her red hair fell around her face in loose curls. She’d gotten even bigger. The yellow maternity dress she had on made her look like she’d swallowed the sun.
“What are you doing here?” Sophia asked.
“I was in the neighborhood.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“Can I come in or are you going to make me stand out in the hall?” A small smile punctuated the question.
Sophia stepped aside. Vanessa walked in, her two-and-a-half-inch heels clacking on the hard floor. It was amazing she could still walk in those shoes.
“How far along are you?”
“Eight and a half months. Two more weeks!” A giant huff of breath. “God, I can’t wait.” Vanessa went to the couch and sat down with an audible sigh. Her ankles were thick, her feet visibly swollen.
“Want to put your feet up?”
“No.” She put a hand to her back and bit her lower lip. “Actually, yes. If you don’t mind.”
Sophia put a cushion on the low coffee table. “There.”
“Thanks.” Vanessa sighed. “I used to have nice ankles and feet. Now they look like I’m part elephant.”
“You should see mine. Skating is terrible on the feet.”
“Nothing’s worse than cankles.”
“Yeah, but another month or two and you’ll get your body back.” Sophia gestured at the kitchen. “Want something to drink?”
“No, thanks. I can’t even have a sip of water without having to run to the bathroom in ten minutes. I know, I know, TMI.”
Sophia sat in an armchair. “I don’t think it’s that bad. At least you’re honest.”
Vanessa studied her. “That sounds awfully like something Dane would say.”
“Maybe his good qualities are rubbing off me.
“Ha. This is the point where I think I’m supposed to give a hollow laugh.”
“So, does Dane know that you’re here to see me?” Before the redhead could get any wrong ideas, Sophia raised her hand. “I’m only asking to see if I want to keep your visit quiet or not. I don’t want him trying to sue you or something.”
“He doesn’t know, but you don’t have to worry. The last time we spoke was about a week ago. He called to let me know that he wasn’t going to sue anybody. He said it was your idea. Not suing, that is.”
“Well, that’s a relief.” She’d been worried, but it’d been impossible to bring the matter up again with Dane being so stubborn. He probably hadn’t fired the driver either. “I’m glad. But it wasn’t me. He wouldn’t have done anything to hurt you.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“It’s obvious he cares deeply about you. Everyone criticizes the way he speaks, but nobody has pointed out what he’d done to help his family. He adored his grandmother, and he’s the one who brought his youngest brother home.”
Vanessa winced. “Shane’s situation was different.”