“But, Gavin?—”
He held up his hand. “No.” He turned his back on her. “I have to get back to work.”
She turned and walked out of the back room, across the concrete floor of the shop, and out into the sunlight. She wasn’t sure what she’d expected. She had hidden who she was. And he’d plainly told her the other night on the beach that he would never date someone famous.
Tears tugged at the corners of her eyes, and she swiped them away. Maybe things would have been different if she had told him sooner who she was. Or if she could tell him the whole truth now. Then maybe he’d understand why she did what she did. But… she couldn’t tell him or anyone. The producer of her last show had made sure of that.
She trudged down the sidewalk, the glare of the sun mocking each step as if asking what she had expected. A fresh start? That he actually cared about her? She should have known better.
She’d hoped that she could have another chance with Gavin. But he’d made it clear that wasn’t going to happen now.
She went to the theater and climbed the front steps, entering the lobby where she was surrounded by the hum of excitement. She squared her shoulders, determined to put all this with Gavin behind her. She had a theater to run and the opening to focus on. The show must go on, she thought wryly. That was all that mattered now. This theater was all she had.
Chapter26
Miss Eleanor came into The Bike Shop the morning of the theater’s grand opening. He stifled a sigh, knowing he was in for another lecture. “Morning Miss Eleanor,” he called out cheerfully.
“Don’t paste that fake smile on your face, young man,” she said, her sharp eyes missing nothing.
And it had been a really,reallylong time since someone had called him a young man.
“What’s this nonsense that you and Tori aren’t speaking? Did you even help her with the last-minute details of the opening?”
“Trust me,Victoriahas everything covered.”
She pinned him with a long, hard stared. “Torihas given her heart and soul to restoring this theater. She’s worked tirelessly. And look at all she accomplished. And she stood up to that fool son of mine when he offered her a ridiculous sum for the theater.”
Miss Eleanor’s impassioned defense of Tori made him shift uncomfortably. He knew Tori had put hours and hours into restoring the theater, and she’d done a remarkable job. But it didn’t change the fact that they had gone their separate ways. At his insistence, but still.
He set down the wrench he’d been holding. “That doesn’t really change things, though, does it? She lied to me.”
“Did she? Or did she just not tell you everything about her past? You know, no one is obliged to tell everything they’ve done in the past. Some things are better left unsaid, unknown. And she must have had her reasons for not wanting people to know who she was.”
“But—”
She cut him off. “Gavin Sloan, do not ‘but’ me. She’s a hardworking, wonderful young woman.”
He was fairly confident that Tori hadn’t been called a young woman recently, either. He shoved the thought aside.
“I think you’re foolish, clinging to some kind of grudge against her. You two worked great together and accomplished quite the feat by reopening the theater. It looks wonderful. Better than before. And she’s got a show opening tonight.” She came over to the counter and double-tapped it with one finger. “And you’re coming tonight to show your support, aren’t you?”
“I… I’m not sure.”
“Gavin Sloan, you’re better than that.” She scowled at him, pivoted abruptly, and walked out of the shop.
He let out a long sigh, confusion swirling through him like a restless tide. Maybe he had been a bit too hard on her. He’d let his hurt feelings cloud his judgment, acting more from a place of wounded pride than anything. He’d been so surprised to learn she’d kept her past a secret from him. He’d thought he knew her so well. But as Miss Eleanor pointed out, Tori must have had her reasons for coming here as simply Tori Duran.
He stalked across the shop, grabbed a tire, and headed back to replace the flat on the bike he’d been working on. But even the methodical tasks of fixing the tires did little to quiet the conflicted thoughts racing around his mind. Nor did it help him make a decision about tonight. The right choice eluded him.
Chapter27
Tori rushed around all day, making sure everything was ready for the opening. Checking ticket sales, making sure the lobby was sparkling and the concession stand was set to go. Keeping herself way too busy to think about Gavin. Mostly. But somehow he still managed to creep into her thoughts. He should have been here with her, sharing the excitement of opening night. And yet, here she was, alone.
She hurried home as evening approached and changed into a simple black dress and heels before returning to the theater, her nerves tied into a tight knot. Taking a moment to collect her thoughts in her office, she unlocked her desk drawer and pulled out the pendant she’d found. The desk light caught the gems, making them gleam as she traced her fingers over the design. She slipped the necklace on and fastened the clasp, comforted by the weight of it.
“Okay, it’s just us. And I’m hoping you bring the theater good luck tonight. You can do that, can’t you?” She touched the pendant again, hoping the heirloom could indeed make tonight magical.
She returned to the lobby and paced back and forth, glancing repeatedly at the time, nervously waiting for the doors to open. When they finally were, she held her breath, hoping people would come. Anyone. At first, just a few people entered. Then, to her extreme surprise and relief, people started streaming into the lobby. Some said hi to her, some didn’t, but at least they were here.
