The Ultimate Betrayal (24 page)
Rachel stayed just outside the room, not wanting to interject herself into what appeared to be a fond reunion.
“Hey there, trouble. I hear you’ve been gallivanting around with Sophia,” Marie whispered. “I haven’t had time to rip Lara a new asshole yet. I assume you’ve already done that.”
Rachel guessed that she didn’t want to disturb her father who seemed to be sound asleep in his bed.
Joy turned around and waved her hand. Rachel shook her head and Joy waved again more vigorously.
Rachel timidly entered the room.
“We’ve been keeping Sophia company in Victoria. This is Rachel, who has become a good friend of Sophia’s. Both of us took care of Sophia and sent Lara packing. Rachel arranged for all the legal crap and I was my usual entertaining self. Before you sharpen that acerbic wit of yours and take poor Rachel apart, let me share a few facts. One, she did not know Lara was married and is as much a victim as Sophia. Two, she didn’t hesitate to jump on a plane to be with Sophia, and three, Sophia and Rachel have gotten close in the past two weeks and they care for one another.”
Marie’s eyes got wide. “Please don’t tell me you’re sleeping with my sister. Geez, you lesbians have more drama than those desperate housewives,” she hissed.
“No, we are not sleeping together,” Rachel responded.
“Not that you don’t want to,” Joy whispered.
“Shit, I heard that, Joy. I’m going to reserve my judgement, because at this particular moment—anyone but Lara is my mantra.”
“Where are Lara and Sophia? I thought for sure Lara would take this opportunity to sweep in and play knight in shining armor,” Joy asked.
“Oh, that she did. She took Sophia home to clean up and get some rest. I told them I would hold down the fort,” Marie answered.
Rachel looked up when she heard a weak cough. The same chocolate brown eyes that melted Rachel’s heart stared at her from the bed. The terminology, bedroom eyes, danced across her head. She was sure this man was a charmer.
“Well, well, well. What do we have here? Two more beautiful women have come to visit. I know one of you, but I’m afraid I’ve not had the pleasure of meeting you, my dear.” He crooked his finger in a beckoning gesture.
Rachel stepped up to the bedside. “Hello Mr. Torre, I’m Rachel, a good friend of Sophia’s.” Rachel held out her hand.
Mr. Torre held her hand and kissed it. “Dominick, please call me Dominick. Mr. Torre is far too formal for my future wife.”
Rachel laughed. “Sorry, Dominick.” Rachel pointed to herself. “One hundred percent lesbian. I don’t have an ounce of bi-sexual in me.”
“Damn, just my luck. All the good ones are either taken or are lesbians. Hello, Joy. How are you, my dear? Is this your new girlfriend? I have to applaud your taste.”
“No, Dominick, she’s just a friend.” Joy turned and murmured to Marie. “Sophia has a much better shot at the girlfriend status than I do.”
“What was that you said?” Dominick inquired.
“Oh, nothing, I’m just being a bitch as always,” Joy answered.
“Do you mind if we hang out here for a while before we grab some lunch and then maybe we can come back and wait for Sophia to return?” Rachel asked.
“Of course not, you brighten up this dreary room.” Dominick smiled and showed off his perfect white teeth. “Pull up a chair and we can begin a game of strip poker. Marie, you can sit this one out.”
“Dad, cut it out. You’ll scare Rachel away.”
Rachel laughed. “Sophia told me you were quite a character. You rival my grandmother. Too bad she’s too old for you because you would make a great couple.”
“How much older and is she a looker like you? Maybe she can teach me a few things. I always did like older women. To be honest, I like women of all ages. I’m probably older than I look and as long as your lovely grandmother is older than she looks, we might just make the perfect pair.” He winked.
“Don’t listen to him. He’s more bluster than action.” Marie waved her hand in the air.
“Don’t be so sure of that, young lady. I still got it with the ladies—I just haven’t acted on it since your mom died.”
“So, poker anyone? I could use a new pair of shoes cause I plan on taking
y’all
to the cleaners.” Rachel tossed out.
Sophia rested her head on the foam pillow connected to the soaking tub as the bubbles of air circulated throughout the water gently massaging her aching muscles. After the three hours of kayaking yesterday and the long flight back to New York, she was exhausted.
Lara had taken control and drew up the bath just the way Sophia liked it. The lavender oil seeped into her pores and began its magical healing. It was her favorite scent and Lara knew that.
Sophia knew it was probably a bad idea to let Lara take care of her, but the mental energy it would take to right the situation was just too much to bear at the moment.
Sophia heard the light rap on the door and hesitated before inviting Lara inside. “Come in.”
Lara had seen her naked thousands of times before, but for some reason this felt different.
“I ordered some take out from the bistro. I hope you don’t mind, but I suspect you haven’t eaten since yesterday when you got the call,” Lara suggested.
“No, I don’t mind. That was very thoughtful of you. God, the days are all merging together, I don’t even know what the date is.”
“It’s May twenty first,” Lara answered.
Sophia smacked her head against the pillow. “Shit, I forgot. I’m sorry, Lara. Happy Birthday. I’m sure you’ve got better things to do on your birthday than babysit your ex-wife on your fortieth birthday.”
Lara sat on the ledge of the tub. “Sophia, there is nowhere else I would rather be. You are still my wife,” Lara whispered. She extended her hand and Sophia felt sure that she was about to caress her in their old familiar way before she abruptly pulled back.
Sophia couldn’t look at her just yet. She turned away before speaking, “Of course, I will always love you, Lara, but please don’t misinterpret anything today. I just cannot promise you that I can forgive and forget enough to give our marriage another try.”
“I’m not asking for a promise. I’ll settle for you thinking about it a little longer before coming to a final decision,” Lara said.
Too exhausted to argue, Sophia answered, “Okay.”
“That’s more than I could hope for. I’ll leave you to your bath. The food will be here shortly.”
Sophia felt bad for forgetting Lara’s birthday, but things were different now. She had to keep reminding herself that Lara was the one who cheated. She didn’t expect perfection. After all everyone has cracks—it’s how the light gets inside. However in this instance, there was a big
flippin
’ hole and that light had blinded her. It was time to move on and in the process, begin to sort out her feelings for Rachel.
Sophia closed her eyes for what she thought was only a moment, but when she felt the uncomfortable coolness of the water, she suspected that she’d fallen asleep in the tub. She stood up and grabbed the plush blue towel hanging on the brass hook next to the soaking tub. After toweling her body dry, she wrapped the towel around her hair and covered her body with the soft cotton robe dangling on the other hook. She needed to quickly eat and then try to limit her nap to no more than two hours. She knew Rachel and Joy would be on their way soon and she didn’t want Rachel to endure any sort of awkwardness with her father and sister.
†
Marie had offered to get everyone some coffee and left Joy and Rachel alone with Dominick for a few minutes.
“
Psst
. Come here, beautiful.” Dominick crooked his finger at Rachel. “I’d kill for a good cannoli right about now. You wouldn’t deny an old man his last wish before dying would you?”
“Why do I get the impression you timed this request right when your daughter left?” Rachel smiled.
“Aw, Marie’s like a little Hitler. She won’t let me have anything but rabbit food,” Dominick griped.
“I’m probably going to get a lecture, but you’ve charmed me into going on this suicide mission. Where would you like me to procure this contraband?” Rachel asked.
“Carrot Top Pastries on Broadway,” he enthused.
“Come on, Joy. You know your way around New York City. You can help me on this important mission.”
“Un, uh. Not me. Why do you think he asked you? I know better than to cross Marie and Sophia.” Joy smirked. “You’re on your own, greenie.”
Rachel looked from Joy to the smiling Dominick. “Nicely played, Dominick.” She shrugged. “Trouble seems to follow me. Oh well, I like a little excitement now and again. How much grief can they give me if I plead ignorance?”
Joy chuckled. “Have you ever experienced a full-blown Italian lecture?” Joy glanced at Rachel who threw her hands up in defeat. “I didn’t think so. I need to get me some popcorn, because the show tonight will be doubly entertaining.”
“Quit scaring the poor girl. My girls aren’t that bad. Now hurry up, Rachel, before Marie gets back.”
Rachel could hear Joy laughing as she exited the room on her quest for the perfect cannoli. At least she would be in the father’s good graces. She wondered who she had to impress more, Dominick or Marie? Rachel chuckled to herself as she realized that Joy had no idea that Rachel was Italian herself and was well aware of the passion and emotion of an Italian temper.
As she was walking out the door of the hospital, she saw Sophia and Lara walking from the parking lot. Lara had her arm draped possessively around Sophia’s shoulder. Rachel thought they looked a bit too cozy for her comfort.
Rachel surveyed the situation as Lara turned and kissed Sophia on the temple. The gesture was both intimate and supportive. She didn’t want to make a scene, so she continued to watch them enter the hospital unobserved. She feared that Lara was putting on the charm to try to salvage her failed marriage to Sophia. She wasn’t sure which made her more depressed, the fact that Sophia was clearly Lara’s choice or the possibility that she might lose Sophia before she even had a chance to declare her feelings. Rachel knew they could be amazing together, but she might never get the chance to explore that with Sophia if Lara managed to sink her claws back into Sophia.
Rachel had an errand to run and then she would decide what to do next. It might get a little uncomfortable for all involved if she stayed while Lara was present and that was not what she intended. She wanted her presence to help Sophia, not hurt her.
Her eyes followed Lara and Sophia until they entered the hospital and were no longer visible.
†
Sophia was uncomfortable with Lara’s close proximity to her and what she really wanted to do was wriggle out of her embrace. The kiss on the temple was very close to crossing the line, but she didn’t want to cause a scene in the hospital by confronting Lara.
When they reached the room her heart started to beat rapidly when she saw Joy and expected Rachel was close by. She looked around the room and noticed that Joy was the only one visiting her father.
“Hey, Joy, where’s Marie?” Sophia asked. What she really wanted to know was where Rachel was.
“She stepped out to get us some coffee and Rachel went on a secret mission that I can’t divulge. Don’t be mad, but your dad conned her into getting something for him,” Joy offered.
Sophia raised her eyebrow.
“What the hell is Rachel doing here?” Lara snapped.
“She offered to come and support me and I accepted,” Sophia stated. She wasn’t about to apologize for accepting Rachel’s generous offer. Besides, she was delighted that Rachel was here.
“Don’t tell me you two are friends now.” Lara’s expression was particularly dour.
“We are and please don’t start an argument because you won’t win. I’ll just ask you to leave and visit Pops when I’m not here. I won’t keep you from him, but that doesn’t mean you can start a bunch of shit while Rachel is here,” Sophia stated.
“This is a whole new kind of fucked up,” Lara grumbled.
“And whose fault is that?” Joy interjected.
“What are you girls bickering about? Is my cannoli here yet? Is that why I’m hearing terse conversation? Don’t blame Rachel, she couldn’t resist my charm.” Dominick grinned and he looked ten years younger.
“No, Dad, your contraband has not arrived yet. You should be ashamed of yourself—conning poor Rachel into getting you a cannoli. I’m not happy, but Marie is going to have a shit fit.” Sophia grinned. “I think I’ll just let her handle the situation. She’s so much better at it than I am.” Sophia couldn’t really get too irritated at her father since he seemed to get so much joy from his favorite dessert.
“Did I hear my name? What situation?” Marie asked.
“Marie, why don’t you go home and get some rest now that the other half of the armed guard has arrived?” Dominick suggested.
“Okay, what have you done? You’re trying to get rid of me and that must mean you did something you weren’t supposed to.” Marie narrowed her eyes and looked around the room. “Okay where did your friend Rachel go and is she somehow involved in this subterfuge?”
Joy laughed. “I told you that you’d never get away with it. Poor Rachel, don’t blame her. Dominick is as wily as a coyote.”
“What exactly am I going to blame her for?” Marie asked.
“One little cannoli is not going to kill me, but I swear all your fussing just might,” Dominick grumbled.
Sophia noted that Lara was wisely staying out of the controversy as she pouted in the corner.
“For fuck’s sake, Dad, you just had a heart attack and I’m pretty sure that your daily intake of
cannolis
is one of the leading culprits,” Marie chastised.
Dominick waved his hand in the air. “Bullshit. I had a heart attack because I’m old, fat, and out of shape. One little cannoli didn’t cause this condition. A whole lifetime of rich foods may have been a factor, but it’s far too late to change my ways now. They can just blow out the old pipes and I’ll be good as new.”
Marie rolled her eyes but didn’t say anything more.
“So…shall we finish our game of poker? Dominick was losing so he conveniently used the excuse that he was tired and needed a nap. You big faker,” Joy diverted.
“I suppose Rachel was winning,” Lara complained quietly from her corner.
“Yep, she sure was. You should join us, Lara, when she returns. I’d love to see her clean your clock and liberate the remaining funds she generously left you,” Joy countered.
Sophia glared at Joy as Dominick’s questioning gaze penetrated Sophia. She knew he wouldn’t ask anything while everyone was in his room, but realized he would definitely broach the subject when they were alone. She wasn’t sure exactly what she would tell him because her father adored Lara. She was not looking forward to this conversation. It might break his heart to learn the depths of Lara’s deception.
†
Rachel called a cabbie who was eager to take her to the bakery and wait while she procured the tasty treat. She decided to pick up a few more desserts while she was there. She reasoned that it might help if she came bearing gifts for everyone else. She was practically drooling on the chocolate torte prominently displayed in the glass case. Remembering that Sophia was partial to New York style cheesecake, she decided to buy the whole dessert rather than one piece. She also purchased several sauces to place on top. Armed with her bounty, she carried the two large shopping sacks out to the waiting cab and returned to the hospital. She was eager to see Sophia, but wasn’t looking forward to the inevitable confrontation with Lara.
Rachel set one of the bags down and pressed the elevator button that would take her to the second floor. She took several deep breaths to calm herself before facing Lara.
There was a fine line between love and hate. As she analyzed the emotions surrounding Lara, she wondered if hate was what she was feeling or if she somehow still loved her. Thinking back on her time with Sophia during the past two weeks, there was no comparison. As she dug deeper into her feelings, she wondered if she had ever really loved Lara, or was she merely in deep lust the past two years. Her emotions ran deeper with Sophia than they ever had with Lara and they’d not even made love with one another.
