Page 83 of Just One Silver Fox

But no one was listening to her. No one cared about the truth. Everyone wanted to think Derek was the perfect man, when he was far from it.

It made her think of Olivia’s other daughter, the one who had disappeared, who they had relentlessly fat-shamed, the one who had told her that Derek ‘liked her too much’. Gloria hadn’t know what to make of that, not until a year ago.

It wasn’t fair.

She couldn’t even get an audition for anything, not when she was all over the tabloids like this. Every director said the publicity was too negative. Her bank account was dwindling and she felt both cheated and betrayed.

And then the phone rang.

She didn’t know the caller. She almost didn’t answer.

But Gloria was very glad that she did.

* * *

Nate didn’t singon the drive to Boston this time either. He drove in silence and didn’t even load up his playlist. He wasn’t feeling celebratory.

He was feeling as if he’d made a mistake.

In fact, he was conflicted. Still. Again. Maybe perpetually. He was glad that Sonia had made her own choice. He admired that she wasn’t hiding anymore or reliant upon Katia. He was awed by the way she’d seduced him the night before and the change that just a week had made. But he had to wonder whether he should have offered her a refuge for a week or two.

Satan and his handmaiden.That phrase gave him the creeps.

But she hadn’t told him the rest of the story, which meant they were in agreement that it wasn’t his problem. He was the one who had insisted that theirs was just a hook-up with no future expectations. So, she’d ensured that he got what he wanted—but Nate wasn’t so sure he wanted what he’d gotten.

The Sonia Effect was relentless.

He tried to concentrate on the road. He itemized his limitations in the handsome prince department just to make sure he didn’t entertain any stupid ideas about turning back to fix anything: he had no wealth, no palace, no title, no flash. Sonia would never say his name with the longing she’d lavished on the name of Nick, the guy with the smarts of a confection. There had been stars in her eyes and yearning in her voice.

For a gorgeous dope.

One syllable and it had dripped with adoration.

No one was ever going to say Nate’s name like an invocation.

The sight of Sonia, just saying that guy’s name with reverence, was a serious reminder that Nate shouldn’t need. He told himself that he didn’t need to go back to Heartbreak Hotel, that it didn’t have that great of a view, and kept on driving north.

* * *

The dream creptup on Sonia quietly, just the faintest sound of those footfalls in the hall sending a shudder through her. She was back in that house again, knowing exactly what came next and that there was no escape. Her mouth was dry and her heart skipping. She curled into a ball, squeezing her eyes shut, willing him to leave her alone.

But he wouldn’t. He was relentless. Insatiable. Always wanting just a little bit more. Always threatening her if she didn’t fall in line. He’d send her away. He’d destroy her favorite things. The threats had been numerous and terrifying.

But not as terrifying as the weight of his hand on her shoulder in the night.

Sonia sat bolt upright,gasping for breath, and looked around her apartment. The fairy lights twinkled. The sound of a siren carried from the street. Someone flushed a toilet in the building. It should have been peaceful, but her heart was racing in fear.

She got up and checked the lock on the door, just to be sure.

Then she stood in the middle of the room and breathed, using the rhythm to calm her nerves. It worked as well as usual, but she knew she wouldn’t go back to sleep anytime soon.

She didn’t want to be alone.

The nightmare was more intense. She didn’t usually have it two nights in a row. It was a warning—or an expression of her fear. She paced the apartment and made a cup of green tea, then looked at her phone.

Nate had said she could call him.

She knew he hadn’t meant in the middle of the night, but on impulse she sent him a text.

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