The Promise of Change - By Rebecca Heflin Page 0,102
me?” Sarah said it teasingly, but a part of her was serious.
“Sarah, I could never be anything but myself around you.” He reached across the table and took her hand, rubbing his thumb across her knuckles. “It’s inescapable. When I tried to act angry around you, I failed. I couldn’t sustain an emotion that was contrary to my actual feelings. After all day pretending emotions I don’t really feel, being myself with you is . . . liberating.” His eyes held hers. “No. I cannot act with you. It is always undeniably real.”
Chapter 13
The movie, as they say, was ‘in the can.’ Of course, that phrase was no longer technically correct, since production companies no longer use celluloid, but Sarah thought it was fun to say nonetheless. Post-production, including film and sound editing, sound and visual effects, and musical score, would begin next week.
Alex was flying out to California for a couple of weeks to work with Michael, the editors, and other members of the post-production team. Although she’d like to go as well, after four months away, she needed to go home and relieve Ann and Becca from their caretaker duties.
Alex would be back in time for Thanksgiving, his first taste of the American tradition, and Sarah wanted to make it extra special. With her family, as well as Ann’s joining them for the celebration, she had her work cut out for her.
Sitting at the vanity, putting the finishing touches on her appearance, Alex walked up behind her and moving her hair aside, placed a kiss on her neck below her ear.
“I don’t believe I tell you enough just how beautiful you are.” His warm eyes met hers in the mirror. “I also believe I’ve been remiss in my gift-giving. The only gift you’ve ever received from me is that dodgy Jane Austen cross. It’s time to rectify that.”
From his fingers dropped a gorgeous dime-sized topaz pendant set in gold filigree.
The exquisite gem swung from his hand, catching the light, flashing bronze, then gold, then amber. Sarah was dumbfounded as he unfastened the clasp and wrapped the delicate chain around her neck.
It felt warm against her skin as it nestled in the hollow at her throat. She raised her fingers to touch the golden stone, tears welling in her eyes.
“Careful Sarah, you’ll spoil your makeup.” His face, which wore one of his brilliant smiles, was next to hers in the mirror. “Do you like it?” he whispered.
Sarah turned to kiss him, wrapping her hands around his neck, threading her fingers in his hair. He pulled her up from the chair, and turned her in his arms, kissing her so passionately that if it weren’t for his arms around her, she thought she would lose her balance.
“I take it that’s a yes,” he murmured against her lips. He reluctantly withdrew. “You keep kissing me like that we’ll miss the wrap up party.”
In keeping with tradition, Alex, as the producer, was holding a party for the cast and crew to celebrate the completion of the production phase.
“We can be a little late,” she murmured as she pulled his lips back to hers. Much to her dismay, he retreated again, leaving his hands on either side of her neck.
“Sarah, it would be a shame to waste your toilette.” He stepped back, dropping his hands from her neck, giving her an appreciative look. “You look stunning. I’ll be the envy of everyone, but I have especially high hopes of galling Michael.” He grinned mischievously. “At least allow me a few hours to flaunt it.”
“If you insist we go,” she said with a mock sigh. “I suppose as the host, you should make an appearance. After all, we wouldn’t want to damage your reputation.”
She checked her appearance in the mirror again. The topaz winked in the light. It was stunning in itself, but with her bronze chiffon dress, it was magnificent. That’s when it dawned on her. “Is this why you insisted I buy this dress?” she asked as she turned from the mirror to face him, her eyebrow lifted.
“Guilty,” he said, lifting his hands as if in surrender. “But, in my defense, that isn’t the only reason.” He took her hand and twirled her around so that the knee-length chiffon skirt floated out like a chocolate cloud. “It fits like it was made for you, and the color on you is dazzling.”
“Alex, you really are too much. You keep offering such effusive praise I’ll begin to believe it.”