She swallowed. ‘Fragile.’
‘In what way?’
‘In ways I prefer not to divulge until something—if anything—comes out of this discussion. But I’ll make sure, if it comes to it, that my home life doesn’t interfere with my job.’
Silence ticked by as he stared at her. ‘You’re ambitious,’ he drawled, with a touch of censure that grated over her skin.
‘You say that like it’s a bad thing. Did you not get where you are today by pursuing your ambition?’
He nodded. ‘Sí, but I’ve come to learn there are various types of ambition.’
She opened her mouth to answer, but a church clock nearby chimed, reminding her of the lateness of the hour. Whatever Gael’s views on her ambitions were, they’d have to wait to be discussed some other time.
She placed her glass on a nearby table and stood up. He rose up before her, effectively blocking her from leaving.
‘Where are you going? We haven’t finished talking.’
She dragged her gaze from his broad shoulders and imposing body to meet his gaze. ‘I can prolong our meeting, but first I’ll need to call my mother. I was just going to ask Pietro if I could use his phone.’
His mouth compressed for a second, then he reached into his pocket and brought out a sleek, ultra-modern-looking phone. One she hadn’t yet seen on the market. Not that she paid much attention to such trendy luxuries.
‘Use mine.’
He placed the phone in her hand. She swiped her hand across the screen. Nothing happened. He cupped her hand and performed something magical with his fingers. The phone buzzed to life.
‘How may I help you, Gael?’ a sultry voice queried.
Goldie’s eyes widened as he sent her a sly smile. ‘Guest call coming up,’ he said into the phone. Then he held it up to her.
‘Speak the number into it and you’ll be connected. When you’re done with your call come and find me.’
He left her alone on the terrace and headed back inside as she recited the number of her next-door neighbour. The time on the phone read just gone ten p.m. If by some miracle her mother was asleep, the last thing Goldie wanted to do was wake her.
Mrs Robinson, on the other hand, rarely slept, and was always glued to her TV screen, watching her favourite shows. Sure enough, the old woman answered her phone on the third ring.
‘Mrs Robinson, it’s Goldie. Do you mind checking in on my mother for me, please? I don’t want to wake her if she’s asleep, but I don’t want her to worry—’
‘Of course I will, dear. I took her a slice of peach cobbler earlier, and she said she’d be heading to bed ear
ly. I’ll go and peek in on her now. If she’s up I’ll stay with her until you get home. If she’s asleep I’ll call and let you know.’
Goldie bit her lip. ‘Um...you won’t be able to reach me, Mrs Robinson. I lost my phone earlier tonight. My phone and my purse.’
‘Oh, no—are you okay?’
The old woman’s concern touched her heart.
‘I’m fine, thanks. I’m so sorry, but do you mind checking on her now, while I’m on the phone, please?’
‘Of course. Hold on.’
Goldie breathed a sigh of relief as she heard the sprightly woman head for the door. Goldie had given her a key to their apartment years ago, when Mrs Robinson had offered to keep an eye on Gloria whenever Goldie was away. The arrangement had helped Goldie maintain peace of mind when she was at college, then later when she was out at auditions and at work.
She heard Mrs Robinson let herself in. After a minute she heard the soft snick of a door shutting.
‘She’s sleeping, dear. Don’t worry about her. I’ll keep watch. Now, what about you? Will you be okay to get home?’
Goldie hadn’t quite worked it out, but she wasn’t about to add to the kind old woman’s burden. She looked towards the living room, where the party guests milled around, some spilling out onto the terrace to enjoy the view. Gael Aguilar wasn’t one of them. When she found herself searching harder for him, she abruptly averted her gaze.