“We’re okay?” Her gaze searched his.
He nodded. “Let’s go.”
They continued toward the festival. Trey shoved aside the awkward moment with Sage. It was best not to dwell on it. But still, a strained silence lingered between them.
When they reached the Grand Theatre Lumière for the morning showing, Trey excused himself to get them both coffee. The truth was that he needed a few moments alone to gather his thoughts.
Meanwhile, Sage had zeroed in on a young actress and planned to go introduce herself. He hoped it went well. Wait. There he went again, wishing for Sage to succeed. Was that really what he wanted?
The line at the café was long. Fifteen minutes later, Trey stepped up to the counter. He ordered espresso for himself and a vanilla latte for Sage.
He was on his way back when he spotted a tall, slender woman approaching Sage. The woman had her back to him, but she was much taller than Sage. In fact, the woman was almost as tall as him. Her willowy figure was draped in a snug black dress. Her platinum-blond hair was cut short and not a strand was out of place.
He paused near one of the large pillars outside the theater. If this woman happened to be an actress or person of interest, he didn’t want to interrupt Sage’s chance to nail down an interview.
He could only hope this was the break Sage had been hoping for. It would be a good way to ease the tension between them. And then they could go home and what? He’d reveal the truth of his identity to her?
How exactly would that go?
She’d most likely fire him. And that would be the easy part. The other part—the one where there is pain and possible tears in her eyes—well, he wasn’t so sure that he was up for that.
He moved a little closer. Neither of the women appeared to notice him.
“Sage, my dear, what are you doing here?” The older woman’s voice held an icy tone. “Shouldn’t you be off cleaning floors or some such thing?”
This woman knew Sage? And then the woman turned, giving Trey a full view of her face. It was Elsa White.
His body tensed. He wanted to move to Sage’s defense. But at that moment, Sage’s gaze met his and she gave a slight shake of her head, warning him off.
Standing on the sidelines was not a position he was used to taking. When it came to caring for his mother, he may have been young but he’d stepped up, making sure she made her doctors’ appointments and took her medicine. But Sage wasn’t like his mother. Sage was strong and more than capable of taking care of herself.
Sage’s face instantly hardened. There was absolutely no sign of that famous smile that she shared with everyone. “Elsa, I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Trey couldn’t have been dragged from his spot. If Sage needed him, he’d step up. But he wasn’t the only one to notice the exchange. These two women were oblivious to the observers. Right now, their sole focus was on each other.
His gaze volleyed between them. There was so much tension arcing between these women that it could light up all of Cannes. To say there was no love lost between these two was an understatement.
“You shouldn’t be here,” Elsa said. “You don’t belong.”
“I’m right where I need to be. Shouldn’t you be in New York plotting your next devious deal?”
Anger lit up Elsa’s eyes before they narrowed with an evil glint. “I don’t have to be in New York to do my plotting. You are out of your league here. You best be on your way little girl.”
Sage squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. “I’m not a child anymore. Your scare tactics no longer work on me.”
“Oh, dear, you misunderstand me. I’m not trying to scare you. I’m warning you to get out of my way before I roll right over you.”
And with that the older woman turned and strode away.
Sage stood there for a moment as though gathering her thoughts. Trey approached her. He really wanted to question her, but he knew now wasn’t the right moment. She would open up to him when she was ready and not a moment sooner.
Sage began to walk and he fell in step beside her. She was quiet for a moment. She didn’t stop until they were at an overlook. The morning sun danced upon the water. The multitude of yachts looked like toy boats from this distance. But Trey’s attention was on Sage and what he could do for her.
She paused at the railing. “I’m sorry about that. I seem to be making a habit of apologizing to you.”
He handed her the latte. “Don’t be sorry. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I’m sure you’re wondering about that woman back there.” Sage continued to stare straight ahead, not giving him a chance to look into her eyes.