Hot Item (Hot Zone 3)

The waitress suddenly appeared and placed an unopened bottle of wine on the table.

“There must be some mistake. We didn’t order this,” Sophie said.

The other woman turned and pointed across the room. “Compliments of the man at the bar.”

Both Sophie and Roper glanced over. A blond stranger smiled at her.

Sophie also noted that Riley had disappeared in the few minutes since she’d last seen him. She tried not to care, but her hands sweated and nausea overtook her at the thought of him leaving the bar with another woman.

Roper examined the bottle. “Nice vintage, Soph.”

She didn’t care about the cost. “I can’t go anywhere without being harassed,” she said on a frustrated groan.

“I’d hardly call a ninety-dollar bottle of wine harassment,” Roper said.

“It is if you aren’t interested.” She looked up at the waiting cocktail waitress. “Please tell the gentleman that I appreciate the offer, but no thank you.”

The other woman inclined her head. “Whatever you say.”

“Hey wait!” Roper complained, as she left with the bottle.

Sophie couldn’t help but laugh. “Don’t you think that instead of wishing you could take the free drink, you ought to be insulted that strange men are sending expensive bottles of wine to me despite the fact that I’m sitting here with you?” she asked.

He leaned back in his seat. “Nah. We’re obviously platonic friends. Not like those two.” He tipped his head in the direction of the dance floor, where Cindy and Miguel were locked tightly together.

A real pang of envy flooded Sophie, for what she’d had with Riley and what they’d never have again. She turned away from the sight of Cindy and her new love.

The waitress returned, this time with a bottle of Dom Pérignon champagne. “He’s stubborn. He said to ask how you liked the flowers.”

“I’ve received so many I lost count,” she muttered.

The other woman laughed. “Apparently he knew you’d say that, because he said to tell you that his name is Steve Harris and his were the two dozen red ones along with chocolates from your favorite store.”

Sophie shivered, recalling asking Nicki, their temp, how the man knew where to buy her chocolates. Nicki had assumed Sophie wouldn’t mind and had questioned Sophie’s secretary, then divulged the information to the stranger. Sophie had nearly fired her on the spot. Only her begging and promise not to mess up again had saved her job.

Roper laughed. “Do you like persistent men?” he asked Sophie.

She rubbed her forehead with her hand. “I have a splitting headache and this man’s pushiness is borderline scary.” She waved away the second bottle. “Please tell him no thank you and I’m not going to change my mind.” Sophie had had enough and rose from her seat. “No offense, but I really need to go home.”

John immediately stood, too. “Are you taking a cab?”

She nodded.

“I’ll walk you out and help you hail one.” Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew some bills and left them on the table.

She placed a hand on his forearm. “You stay,” she urged. “Why should you lose a perfectly good table just because I’m a spoilsport?”

He raised an eyebrow. “You sure?”

She nodded. “Tell Cindy I’ll see her at work in the morning, okay?”

“No problem. You take care.” He gave her a friendly hug.

Sophie smiled. “Thanks, John.”

A few minutes later, she’d wound her way through the crowded bar and ended up on the street. The sun had set while they were inside and a warm breeze, too warm for the time of year, settled on her shoulders.

She brushed her heavy bangs off her forehead and searched uptown for a taxi with a light indicating it was vacant, but typical of New York City at night, she had a long wait.