“Actually, this is the first time I’ve worn the dress and the shoes. A friend of mine back home talked me into buying them, but I never got up the nerve to wear them.”
“Until tonight.”
“Until tonight,” she echoed. Simona debated whether to bring up what he had said before he fell asleep. What if he hadn’t really meant to say it? She wanted to ask the question badly, but held back because she wasn’t ready to confess her own feelings or get her hopes up for something that might not last.
“Now, as much as I would love to lie here all night with you, this little couch isn’t made for extended comfort.”
She laughed. “I need to go home anyway. Yasmine is probably still up looking for me.”
“You’re right, I’m sure. So let’s get moving.” He quickly dressed, then excused himself to go to the bathroom.
As she dressed, she thought about Donovan’s words. The way he treated her and Yasmine was nothing short of amazing. And he did confess to loving her. Could she really let go? Hope sprang in her chest. Maybe...
She went to retrieve her purse from his desk, and the cover of an entertainment magazine caught her eye. Sheila Martin was on the cover. Simona turned to the page, and her heart nearly stopped. Someone had taken a photograph of her and Donovan at the backstage party. The picture was of another fan in attendance with Simona and Donovan in the background.
Although her back was to the camera and the shot not clear, it was all she needed to confirm that this relationship couldn’t work. It would be a matter of time before she was in the headlines again. She replaced the magazine just before he returned. She had to get out of here.
“Simona, are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” she answered quickly. “It’s late. I’d better get going.” She reached up and kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll see you later.”
“Hold on a minute, baby. Let me walk you out.”
“No.” At his confused stare, she said, “You don’t need to do that. I’m parked right next to the elevator. Go ahead and finish up your work so you’re not here all night.”
He folded his arms across his chest and continued to scrutinize her. “What’s going on? You seem a little... I don’t know.”
“Nothing’s going on. Just a little tired.” Donovan’s expression said he didn’t believe her for a minute, but she was thankful he didn’t question her further. “Good night.”
Donovan grabbed her by the hand and said, “Let’s go.”
* * *
Donovan sat in his office after Simona left, puzzled by the change in her demeanor. One minute she was all smiles, and the next it seemed as if she had regrets.
He called her when he got home to make sure she was all right, and she all but rushed him off the phone. For some reason she was pulling away, and he wanted to know why. Something had happened between the time he had gone to the bathroom and the time he’d returned, and he intended to find out what.
The first part of his week kept him so busy, including an overnight trip, that he and Simona talked for only a few minutes on Tuesday. Two days later, he found himself on her doorstep after work.
“Donovan. Hey. What are you doing here?” Simona asked, clearly surprised.
“I just came to check on you. Can I come in?”
She hesitated for a split second then stepped back. He followed her to the living room.
“Yasmine in bed already?”
“Yes.”
Usually, she sat next to him on the sofa, but tonight she chose one of the chairs. “Simona, did I do or say something wrong?”
“No. Why?”
“You’ve been acting strange.”
“I’m fine. Things at work have been a little more stressful lately, that’s all.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
She shook her head. “I’m sure it’ll calm down soon.”
He nodded. She wasn’t telling him the truth. In the back of his mind, he wondered if she was hiding something else. Donovan stood and pulled Simona to her feet. He wrapped an arm around her waist and tilted her chin. “You’d tell me if there was a problem, wouldn’t you?”
“There’s no problem, Donovan. You don’t need to worry.” She gave him a quick kiss. “I have to go in early tomorrow, so...”
“So do I. How about I take you to the airport on Saturday?”
“Oh, no. That’s okay. Eve already said she’d take me. You don’t have to come all the way over here.”