Hot Item (Hot Zone 3)

Sophie stepped closer to her friend. “And?”

“And I walked out on him.” Cindy exhaled long and hard. “I took the elevator down to the ground floor and I walked the streets of Harlem. Then I realized either I was sleeping with a man I believe in or I wasn’t.”

Sophie listened, her heart in her throat. She felt as if she were sitting on the edge of her seat, rooting for Cindy and Miguel. “So what did you do?”

“I turned and ran all the way back to his building, up the stairs and back to his office.” A blush stained Cindy’s cheeks, evidence of her overwhelming emotions for this man. “I told him I had faith.” She shrugged. “It’s not like the tech guys were able to track anything back to him.”

“That’s true,” Sophie said.

“And we’ve been together ever since—every night as a matter of fact,” Cindy said, smiling.

Sophie pulled Cindy into a tight hug, glad Cindy had found happiness, and relieved that she and her friend had put their differences behind them. “I’m so happy for you.” She stepped back and smiled.

But what lingered in Sophie’s mind was that she envied her friend’s ability to throw caution away and have complete faith in someone she cared for. Just because their tech people couldn’t pin the computer virus on Cambias’s e-mails didn’t mean they’d exonerated him. Yet Cindy was able to give Miguel the benefit of the doubt.

Sophie hadn’t even begun to trust in Riley. But she and Riley had a lot of strikes against them. Sophie had lost her parents and learned the benefits of controlling the things and people around her, while Riley was his own person and did his own thing. That was strike one. He’d turned on her once before in defense of his relationship with Lizzie. Strike two. And as attentive as he could be at times, she couldn’t forget how much he loved to flirt with all women; she couldn’t guarantee he’d be around beyond the next date. Strike three.

Three strikes and they were out. Game over.

“Sophie?”

“Hmm.” Sophie shook her head hard. “Sorry, we can go inside.”

Cindy stopped her with a hand on Sophie’s arm. “In a minute. I have a question.” She stepped closer. “Did I ever tell you that my father was killed before I moved to New York?”

Sophie’s throat swelled with emotion. “I had no idea.” But she could only imagine the pain her friend had suffered. Was still suffering. “What happened?”

Cindy drew a deep breath. “An employee he trusted broke in after hours and stole money from the register. He set fire to the place to cover his tracks. My father tried to put it out before the firefighters arrived…” She waved her hand, obviously unable to continue.

Sophie grabbed her friend’s hand, squeezing it tight. “I wish I’d known before now. Friends should share these things with each other.”

Cindy nodded in agreement. “It’s not so easy to talk about. But now you know. Just like I know about your parents, and that they’re the reason you can’t bring yourself to trust that Riley isn’t going anywhere. You’d rather push him away before he leaves you like your parents did.”

The words, uncomfortably accurate, stung Sophie’s already raw emotions. “That’s ridiculous. Riley’s not going to die on me. God willing,” she felt compelled to add.

“But you’re afraid he’s going to get bored, or fall out of love or just plain leave you,” Cindy said pointedly.

“Nobody said anything about love.” There was a lot in Cindy’s conclusion to address, but Sophie chose the most obvious, and the scariest, part of her friend’s speech.

Cindy sighed, then linked her arm through Sophie’s. “I’ve given you enough to think about for now. Let’s go cake shopping,” she said, and led Sophie into the shop.

Grateful for the distraction, Sophie lost herself in the gorgeous confections. Cakes in all shapes, from cupcakes to designer purses, caught her eye.

Sophie strode to the woman behind the counter. “I have an appointment with Genevieve.”

A young woman wearing a white apron smiled. “That’s me.” She held out her hand. “I’m Gen, the owner.”

“I’m Sophie—” she shook the other woman’s hand “—and this is my friend and coworker, Cindy James. I’m looking for a unique cake for a unique couple,” she explained.

“I just bet you are.” Gen glanced at Sophie and winked, as if she were privy to some secret.

Sophie narrowed her gaze. “My uncle and his wife eloped and they never had a wedding reception, so we want this party to be extra special.”

Gen leaned forward on her elbows. “Oh, come on. I saw the interview with your uncle. You’re marrying Riley Nash, aren’t you? You can tell me. Anything you say will be kept strictly confidential.”

Behind her, Cindy chuckled.

Sophie rolled her eyes. She was appalled that her uncle had publicly linked her with Riley at a time when she desperately needed distance. She also felt guilty.