Sophie’s story continues in Stages | Episode Two…
December 31st was a hot, sticky day. The forecourt of the Opera House heaved with people, some of them visitors who had no appreciation for the Australian sun, exposing their pale European skin without the protection of sunscreen. Sophie, wearing a halter-neck red dress that skimmed over her hips and plunged between her breasts waited by the entrance, searching the crowd for the sight of James’ tousled blond hair. Her heart beat in her throat, perspiration trickling between her shoulder blades. It had been eleven days since she had found out he was flying in from Texas and in that time she had fluctuated between being excited to see him and dreading their meeting. Would he notice that she was heavier, no longer as lean and sculpted as she had been in those first weeks after competing? Would he find her repulsive? She wouldn’t blame him.
The tickets to the Lord Mayor’s Party lay inside the folds of her purse. She had asked Michael if he wanted to come, but he had brushed the idea away.
‘Why would I want to spend an evening with pretentious wankers and D-grade celebrities,’ Michael had said. ‘I’d rather do something I enjoy. Terry’s hosting an all night Vision Quest tournament. I’m going over there.’
‘You don’t mind if I go?’ Sophie had asked.
‘Go right ahead, if that’s your thing.’ He must have noticed the hurt look on her face. ‘Sorry,’ he said. ‘I know it’s part of your job to brush shoulders with those kinds of people. Enjoy yourself.’
She hadn’t told Michael about James — there was nothing to tell. James was a colleague, another part of her job. If any of the cast and crew from any show she’d worked on had been coming to Sydney, she would have done the same thing.
‘Sophie. Sophie,’ called a male voice with an American accent. James was striding down the hill, waving his arm above his head. He wore aviator sunglasses and a wide grin. He swept Sophie into a hug with familiarity he hadn’t shown before. He held her for a long time, breathing into her hair. She could feel his chest rise and fall against hers, his hand touching the bare skin of her back.
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