Panic started to swell up in her, and she looked helplessly at Beverly.
“I’ve got this.” Beverly stepped out from behind the counter and intercepted the man. “You should leave.”
Ignoring Beverly, the man turned and called back to Tori. “Victoria, do you plan to come back to the stage? What’s your next play going to be? Your last one broke records for ticket sales.”
Nash Carlisle rose from his table and walked over to the reporter. “The lady asked you nicely to leave.” His tone left no room for argument.
The reporter looked from Beverly to Nash and scowled. “Fine. I’ll catch her later.” He turned and left.
“Thanks, Nash,” Beverly said.
He nodded and sat back down at his table. Beverly returned to the counter.
“Thank you,” Tori said quietly as relief washed over her.
Beverly’s expression softened as she looked at Tori. “I don’t know why you wanted to keep who you are a secret. Or maybe you needed to. But I do think you at least owed Gavin the truth. It’s obvious that he cares about you.”
Cared about her. Maybe. Past tense. Because she wasn’t certain how he was going to feel about her now. “Maybe I should have told him. And I planned to after the opening. Things were going so well between us. I just wanted to let the opening go smoothly before I rocked the boat.”
“I get that. But Gavin doesn’t trust easily. He’s been hurt before. I’m not sure you can come back from this.”
“Maybe not.” What a mess she’d made of everything. And she still couldn’t tell Gavin the whole truth. She couldn’t risk her niece’s career.
If that meant things were over with her and Gavin, then that’s just the way things had to be. Because she didn’t think he would understand why she did what she did unless he knew the whole truth. And that was something she couldn’t tell him, even if she wanted to. She refused to put her wants over Chloe’s future.
Beverly reached out and took her hand. “You’re a good person, Tori,” she said gently. “You’ve been through a lot, but you’re still standing, aren’t you? That takes strength and courage.”
Tears threatened to spill at Beverly’s support and kind words.
Beverly squeezed her hand. “You’ll figure it out. I have faith in you.”
Back at the theater that afternoon, the lighting technician, a young man with a head of unruly curls, knocked tentatively on her door. “Miss Duran,” he began, his voice wavering slightly. “I’m sorry I didn’t realize who you were. I’m such a fan of your work. I’m so honored to be working with you.”
She just smiled at him and nodded. Then the lead in the play, a vibrant woman with a strong stage presence, came in gushing about working with her. Then numerous other actors in the play.
So the news was out, and everyone was treating her differently. She let out a sigh. She should head over to The Bike Shop and talk to Gavin. Get that over with. There was no use sitting here dreading their confrontation. And she was certain it would be more confrontation than conversation. She could almost picture the accusation in his eyes.
She pushed up from the desk and headed outside. As she walked along the sidewalk, people stared at her curiously. Or frowned at her. And she wasn’t sure which was worse. The sunlight and gentle breeze did nothing to lift her mood. Her footsteps grew slower and slower as she neared The Bike Shop.
She took a deep breath, opened the door, and stepped inside, bracing herself for what lay ahead.
Jonny glanced up from behind the counter. “Miss Duran. Uh… hello.” His eyes were wide with recognition. He stared at her. He knew.
“I’m looking for Gavin.”
“Uh, ma’am. He’s not here now.” He fidgeted, ignoring her gaze.
“Do you know when he’ll be back?” She glanced around the shop, briefly wondering if he was here and hiding from her.
“I’m not certain.”
“Okay, thank you. Will you tell him I stopped by and I’m looking for him? I’d like to talk to him.”
“I’ll tell him, ma’am.”
She headed back outside, uncertain where to go or what to do. Her whole life was in an upheaval. How did this all happen when all she had wanted was to make sure the opening of the theater was a success?
She decided to head back to the sanctuary of her apartment. At least there would be no people there. She’d be away from the prying eyes, the stares.
