Hot Item (Hot Zone 3)

“It seems that somebody found out about my connection to Riley,” Spencer said.

“What?” The foam cup slipped from Sophie’s hand and the dark liquid spilled over the lacquered table, soaking her notepad and spreading outward.

She, her sisters and Lola grabbed their napkins and rushed to wipe up the mess.

“I’m sorry. I’m not usually so clumsy,” Sophie said, after they’d cleaned the spill and resettled into their seats.

“You’re not usually so upset by the morning news, either,” Spencer noted too perceptively.

“Well, it doesn’t usually involve people I care about.” She caught her words and laughed. “I take that back. Lately it involves people I care about way too often.”

After all Riley had gone through after finding out about Spencer being gay, he now had to deal with it publicly as well. She glanced at her watch, wondering how long this meeting would go on.

She wanted to get to the phone and see how Riley was handling the news. She couldn’t help worrying about him and she felt certain he needed someone to talk to that he could trust. Heaven knows, she understood what he was going through, Sophie thought.

“So what are we going to do about minimizing the damage for you?” Annabelle asked Spencer.

“I have a meeting this week to find out about that.”

“Cryptic,” Sophie said.

“Very,” Micki muttered.

Spencer nodded. “You’re all just going to have to trust that I have this situation under control. Well, as in control as things can be.”

Yank slammed his gavel, taking everyone off guard.

“What was that for?” Lola asked.

“You heard the man. He’s got everything under control.” Yank nodded at Spencer. “Meeting adjourned.”

Lola gathered his things and together they strode out the conference room door.

“Remember we’re meeting for dinner for last-minute party planning,” Annabelle said, gathering her things.

“I’ll be there,” Micki said.

“So will I,” Sophie said.

As her sisters walked out the door, chatting about the upcoming party, Sophie reached for the nearest phone, anxious to call Riley.

He’d come to her the moment Spencer’s secret had been revealed and they’d gone through so much together since. He’d confided in her that he was Spencer’s son when nobody else had known the truth. She couldn’t let him go through the public revelation of that truth alone and she wanted him to know if he needed her, she was here.

“As much as you care about me, I have a hunch that the coffee spill was because you’re more upset for Riley,” Spencer said, coming up behind her.

Caught, she curled her hand around the telephone. “You shouldn’t minimize your role in our family,” she scolded Spencer, hoping he’d take the hint and drop any conversation about her feelings for his son.

“Can I give you a piece of advice?” he asked.

“Sure.”

“I missed out on a lifetime with Riley because of the misguided choices I made.” Spencer placed a fatherly hand on her shoulder. “Don’t you do the same thing.”

Sophie nodded, unable to speak over the lump in her throat. “Thanks,” she finally managed to say.

When Spencer walked out, leaving her alone, she grabbed the phone and dialed Riley at home. When the machine picked up instead of him, she shut her eyes, savoring the sound of his voice.

At the beep, she spoke. “Hi, it’s me. Sophie. I just heard about the news in the papers and I wanted to know how you were holding up.” Knowing she would soon run out of time, she added a quick, “Call me. Please.” Then she hung up.