by Alex Bailey
Sophie gathered her purse and gift and said, “Shall we?” She held out her arm for Ray to take hold.
He grinned, slung his arm through hers, and said, “We shall!”
At the end of the observation deck, Sophie turned to face Ray. “Why didn’t you tell me about Haley?”
“It’s complicated.” He drew in a deep breath and lowered his gaze to the ground. “Because you were here for your niece and your sister. I didn’t want to interfere or take anything away from you and Ariel. If I had told you, what would you have done?” He looked at her with such sad eyes that Sophie felt he was swimming in the depths of grief so deep that he might drown.
She wanted to reach out and hold him, comfort him. But instead, remained still and silent because Ray was right. If Sophie had known, she would have tried to help him, distracting her from her own problem. Would that have been so bad?
“Exactly. You would have focused on me. Instead of what you needed to focus on. You. Ariel. Natalie.”
“But you must be hurting too. I can see it in your eyes. All over your face.”
“Yes. It’s been tough. You know the times when I would tell you I had to excuse myself or go grab a picture?”
She nodded.
“I just had to get away. And I know that men don’t cry. Or at least we don’t admit it, but I cried. A lot. And then I’d splash water on my face before I came back to you and Ariel. You keep thanking me for helping you two. But now I need to thank you. Because you got me through it, Sophie.”
“Me?” She was more than confused. What did I do? I was the recipient of his assistance. I did nothing to help in any way.
“Yes, you.”
He must mean that my problems took his mind off of his own grief.
“You see, Haley loved Christmas. And Disney. I don’t know which she loved more. She decorated every room in Disney decorations. And she helped me with the blog.” He looked away, chuckled, then shook his head. “She was my editor. And she’d be mortified to know I was putting up content with spelling errors.”
Sophie smiled and dropped her gaze to the deck.
“That’s why I quit my real job, as you call it. We met in New York. Both had high-pressure jobs and she pushed me to move back home and start the blog. We did it together.”
A tinge of guilt shot through Sophie. She had already apologized but felt she should do it again. Not wanting to interrupt his story, she remained silent.
“And we always spent New Year’s Eve riding Space Mountain. That’s why I’m not leaving until New Year’s Day. I have to do this. I haven’t been able to, but now I’m ready.” His demeanor changed, his smile returned and he looked happy when he spoke about his lost love. “Haley was such a nerd. Said she wanted to soar into the new year.”
Sophie laughed. “That’s adorable.”
“You think so?”
She nodded.
“Well,” Ray pointed to himself with both thumbs, “even this nerd thought it was pretty cheesy. So maybe there’s more nerd in you than I thought.”
Sophie rolled her eyes and slung her hands to her hips.
“But being here...with you...has been the best cure for my blues.”
Sophie said, “WDW? Yeah, it’s been great for Ariel too. And I believe for me as well.”
“No. Not just that. You, Sophie. You’ve helped me more than you can know.”
The fireworks story narrator announced the beginning of the show over loud speakers and Cinderella’s castle went dark. The first rockets exploded high above the Magic Kingdom, lighting the castle once again.
Sophie slid her hand through Ray’s arm, pulling him close. She was happy she helped Ray, even though she hadn’t been aware of helping him. No wonder he kept saying I helped him, too, and didn’t owe him. She couldn’t take her mind off of Ray’s tragic story. She barely paid attention to the show and when it ended, she thought of Natalie. How this moment would have been a perfect moment for her sister. Tears ran down her cheek, releasing all of her emotions—her sister, the holiday, and Ray’s story.
Sophie turned to Ray, and he brushed away her tears.
“Sophie,” he lifted her chin with his index finger, so that she looked into his eyes. “I know this is crazy. We haven’t known each other very long, but I’m falling in love with you.” He leaned toward her for a kiss.
Sophie felt like the fireworks moved from the sky to her gut. She had so many emotions at once...shock, elation, confusion. She backed away. “But—”
Ray’s head hung in defeat. “I know you’re taken. And I can respect that. But I couldn’t let you leave tomorrow without telling you how I feel. Because I won’t get another chance.”
Sophie opened her mouth to speak, without knowing what would come out. When nothing did, she wasn’t surprised. She had no idea what to say. I’m with Darren. And I love him...don’t I? Or was Hyun right about my feelings? Am I only with him because he’s safe, that he represents security?
Sophie glanced over at the Magic Kingdom, where the castle glowed with white lights, a perfect Christmas gift. She would remember this moment forever with joy and heartache. But not with dread. Ray had given that to her.
She sighed deeply, and without looking at Ray, she said, “I should go now.”
“I understand,” Ray stepped aside so Sophie could move past him. “I’m going to wait for the crowds to die down, so I’ll hang around a few minutes.”
Sophie fought every urge in her being to give Ray a hug, to comfort him, to reach out to him. But instead, she dashed down the observation deck and out of Ray’s life.
Chapter 17
The day after Christmas, Sophie and Darren boarded their pre-dawn flight. She wore comfortable jeans and a light blue sweater for the plane, knowing her destination would be snow filled. Her coat was tucked into her luggage, making sure it was the first thing she saw when she opened her bag for quick and easy retrieval when they landed. Darren had on his signature non-work outfit of dress pants and long-sleeved dress shirt with the sleeves rolled half-way up his forearms, button open at the collar.
When they settled into their seats, Darren focused on his phone, while Sophie leaned her head on his shoulder, hoping to erase the conversation with Ray the night before. She wanted to forget the talk about Haley, but she didn’t know how. It was jarring to hear he had a fiancée. And with a secret like that, what else was he hiding? Did she even know him at all?
Darren nudged her to sit up straight. “Sorry, Soph, but I’ve got to finish writing this story. Tight deadline.”
“Sure, no problem.” She sat upright in the seat and stared out the window. When the plane took off, she leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes, forcing all thoughts of Ray to evaporate.
WHEN THE PLANE TOUCHED down in Denver, Sophie grabbed her purse from under the seat in front of her and unbuckled her belt.
Darren glanced over his shoulder when he stood. “Ready?” His tone was like a child about to sneak down the stairs on Christmas morning.
Was she? Sophie wasn’t sure. She had been absolutely certain she was ready to meet Darren’s family before her Disney trip. Before she had met Ray. Now, confusion replaced confidence. She murmured, “Mmmhmm.”
“Good, because we’re finally here!” Darren headed for the aisle and started to move along, then took a step backward, allowing her to exit in front of him.
He seemed almost giddy. And who wouldn’t be? He was finally getting to see his family for the holidays. Even if they were a day late for Christmas, the season wasn’t over and it had been a while since he had spent a holiday with them. Sophie understood his excitement. She just wasn’t sure she shared it anymore.
DARREN’S PARENTS AND younger sister, Phoebe, greeted them as soon as they stepped off the escalator at the Denver airport. The entire family looked like cover models. Sophie had never seen such a good-looking group of people.
Darren’s dad, Preston, was at least three inches taller than his son and looked quite dapper with
silver hair, a gray suit and tie, and a crisp white shirt. A gray wool overcoat draped over his arm. Darren’s mom, Aubrey, was more casual in the way she dressed, wearing black slacks and a white pea coat. Her straight pixie-cut-blonde hair looked like she had just stepped out of a salon. Phoebe looked like a female version of Darren and they both favored the mom. Phoebe at least, wore jeans, making Sophie feel a little less uncomfortable.
The family gave Darren hugs and reserved listless handshakes for Sophie. She immediately questioned the aloof feelings she sensed from Darren’s family. Is it just me? Or are they giving me the cold shoulder? Sophie gave herself an internal slap on the face. Straighten up. You’re imagining things. They are being perfectly nice to a stranger they met for the first time.
After introductions, Preston said, “You two must be starved. We have breakfast reservations at the club. Let’s go get your bags.”
Sophie nodded politely and wondered if she were dressed appropriately for “the club,” but she dismissed her concern since Phoebe was dressed similarly.
DURING BREAKFAST, PHOEBE was distracted by her phone during the meal, while Darren talked to his dad about Preston’s law firm, leaving Sophie to be entertained by Aubrey.
She felt there was something about Darren’s family...She wasn’t quite sure what.... Aubrey was polite enough, but not warm and fuzzy. And definitely not like... Ray’s parents.
Ugh! Why am I thinking about Ray and his family now? I’m with Darren’s family. They’re nice. Well, nice enough. It’s not fair to compare them; they’re completely different people.
“So, Sophie, tell me about your family. What does your father do for a living?” Aubrey raised her mimosa cocktail to her lips, barely took a sip, then placed it in the precise spot from which she had just lifted it. She then moved her fork a fraction of an inch to the left, lining it up perfectly parallel and even with her knife.
“I guess you already heard they’re big Disney fans.” Disney nerds is more accurate.
Aubrey’s stare didn’t change and Sophie got the impression Darren’s family was not the least bit interested in hearing about anything Disney related. She understood. Before her trip, Sophie would have felt the same way. But it didn’t stop her because there was simply no way to talk about her family without mentioning Disney.
“Well, my parents are both retired. They moved to Celebration, a community developed by the Disney company. To be closer to the Disney parks, actually.”
“Oh. Your mother...worked?”
“Yes. She loved her job. She taught hearing-impaired children. Now she volunteers at the Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital in Orlando with hearing-impaired kids. She signs and translates for the doctors and nurses to the kids and their families. She also volunteers in the medical pavilion during Disney marathons as a sign-language interpreter.”
Aubrey’s expression remained aloof. She blinked a few times before responding, her focus directed at her place setting. “I’m sure it’s very rewarding work.” She moved her knife slightly to the left, then back to its original spot, and took another tiny sip of her drink.
Sophie nodded, knowing her mom was happiest when working with kids. “My dad also volunteers. But he—”
“Oh look. Our food has arrived,” Aubrey glanced up at the server and nodded when she set her plate on the table. “Phoebe, dear, do you think you could put that thing down for a few minutes to eat your breakfast?”
Phoebe rested her phone in her lap and rolled her eyes. Sophie smiled at her, but Phoebe didn’t reciprocate, and instead looked in Preston’s direction. “Dad, Jefferson’s going to pick me up at two. Will we be home by then?”
“Of course, princess,” Preston said, “unless Sophie cares to play a game of squash before we head home.”
Phoebe glared at Sophie, daring her to accept Preston’s offer.
Sophie had no intention of taking him up on his offer, but for a second, she thought about it—just to see Phoebe’s expression. She couldn’t figure out why his sister seemed to harbor such animosity toward her. They’d just met and Sophie had given her no reason to dislike her. Yet. She decided to relieve Phoebe’s distress before the woman came across the table at her with a fork, upsetting Aubrey’s perfect placement. Sophie shook her head, “Oh, no thank you. I wouldn’t even know how to play.
“Well, if you change your mind,” Preston said pointing to Darren, “this guy right here is a mean squash player. I’m sure he can show you around the court.”
Sophie smiled at the men and avoided looking in Phoebe’s direction. She had no intention of sticking around to learn squash or to prolong Phoebe’s agony. It was obvious Phoebe would rather be somewhere else. And so would Sophie.
AND SO IT WENT THE rest of the day. Sophie was passed off to be baby-sat by Aubrey while Preston and Darren flitted about the large estate under the excuse of needing to discuss finances and career goals. Sophie finally escaped her hostess into their large library and sank into one of the many mahogany leather chairs placed strategically about the room. She wondered how often Aubrey entered the library just so she could have the pleasure of moving a chair an inch or two.
Sophie now understood Darren better than she ever had, especially his career ambitions. To keep up with his parents’ expectations, Darren needed to get promoted to anchor. But with Rick in the spot, she didn’t see that happening any time soon.
When the door opened, Sophie fully expected Aubrey to question her on her disappearance. She had her line ready and would explain how she had gotten lost on her return trip to the restroom, and since the library is the most important room in a home, she simply had to see it. It would be as good as any other excuse she could conjure on short notice. Since she was a book editor, it seemed a reasonable explanation.
But it wasn’t Aubrey; instead Darren entered. “There you are.” His grin was as big as the estate.
“I’m here all right.” Sophie stood for a hug. When Darren wrapped his arms around her, she willed herself to hug him back. Where is this coming from? I’m usually the one to hug him first. With her arms around his trim midsection, she forced herself to tighten her grip. You better shake this off, or he’s going to suspect something’s up. But, I’m not even sure what that something is.
“Just had a heart-to-heart with Dad.” Darren released her and paced around the room. “He’s pleased with where my career’s going. It’s the first time I’ve seen my parents approve of my decisions.”
“I’m happy for you, Darren. But why would your parents have a problem with you becoming a journalist? It’s a respectable job.”
“Come on Sophie. Look around this place. Can’t you see success everywhere you turn? Dad’s got a law firm in Denver. It’s always done pretty well, but lately they’ve had a few high-profile cases, and he’s been on the news. He’s gotten so much work, he had to add two more partners.”
“I can understand he’d be happy with more work. But what does that have to do with you?” She picked up a large black leather book with gold letters entitled Business Law and flipped through its pages. She immediately set it back on the shelf.
“I was supposed to take over his firm one day. Now what’s he going to do with it when he retires?”
“I dunno. Maybe let Phoebe run it?” Sophie was distracted by a photo on one of the bookshelves. She walked over and picked it up. It was a younger Darren with his arm around a beautiful redhead who resembled a younger version of Sophie. “Who’s this?”
“That’s nothing.” He snatched it from her and set it backwards on the shelf.
“Come on.” She tickled his side under his rib where she knew he was the most ticklish. “Is she an old girlfriend?” Darren hadn’t talked much about his childhood, and hadn’t mentioned any old girlfriends. Sophie found it interesting to learn about his younger life, giving her a clearer picture of the man she’d been involved with for the past year.
He swatted her hand away and said curtly, “Cut it out, Sophie. That’s ancient history.�
�� He turned to see the crushed look on her face and tried to atone for his sharp actions and tone. “Aw, come on, Soph. I’m sorry.” He held her, but her arms hung limply at her sides. “Yes, she’s an old girlfriend. One I’d like to forget all about.”
Sophie took a step back, releasing his grip.
“I knew her from practically the day I was born. We were best friends. We were supposed to get married.”
Married? He never told me he was engaged! What is with all these men hiding the fact that they were engaged? “What happened?” Sophie wondered if she’d nudged too far, but was more curious than upset about his intense reaction.
“She thought I was going to law school after I got my journalism degree. Her parents did too. Everyone did. But I fell in love with writing and reporting the news. So she dumped me.”
Sophie’s heart ached for Darren. His best friend did that to him? Some best friend she was. She reached for his head, turning him so she could embrace him fully. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I made you tell me. It must have been devastating.” She attempted to place a tender kiss upon his lips, but Darren pulled away and moved toward the door.
“It was. Now, can we drop it?”
“Sure.” Sophie wondered if he might still have feelings for the woman in the photo. A reaction like that would certainly cause someone to wonder.
THE NEXT MORNING, DARREN slept in, giving Sophie a chance to spend more time in the library. This time, she pulled a book off the shelf—The Scarlet Letter—and plunked down into one of the leather chairs to read. She was surprised at how stiff it felt. Maybe it’s like leather shoes, and needs to be broken in.
When she finished, she closed the book and smiled. She had done a book report in her high school English class on The Scarlet Letter and analyzed it to seeming death. But this time, she read it without picking apart every simile and metaphor and enjoyed it much more. I wonder how Disney would depict this story in a happy-go-lucky manner? Whoa! Where did that come from? Why am I still thinking about Disney? Just stop!
