Transparency by Jeanne Harrell Read Free Book Online

exists, Beth.”
    “No.” Beth turned to look at her. “What I said earlier to you was that the Bryce I knew was gone.”
    “…Okay…”
    “He’s not gone. He’s just encased in a fabulously expensive designer suit and encrusted with layers and years of tough business deals.” She hiccupped. “I saw him…”
    “Who? Who did you see?”
    “… The real Bryce… He walked me to the elevator.”
    Eva was confused. “So…”
    “He said goodnight to me and I saw him – Bryce from long ago peeked out at me from inside his cocoon. I’d fought looking at him all through dinner, but he finally found me by the elevator.”
    Eva pushed some hair back from Beth’s eyes.
    “Here, sweetie. Take another drink of water.” She sat there watching Beth be miserable. “What are you going to do?”
    Beth calmed and set her glass down on the table.
    “… I’m not going to see or speak to him again. I just can’t…Eva, I’m going to fall right off the edge if I see him again.”
    “And that would be a bad thing?”
    Beth looked at Eva like she’d lost her mind.
    “Yesssss… Been there, done that.”
    “Do you want me to barricade the door? Pull up the drawbridge? Fill up the moat?” Eva slowly smiled at Beth who began a slow smile back at her. Soon they were grinning at each other…
    “I do sound ridiculous, don’t I?”
    Eva nodded her head, took the tissue and blotted Beth’s tears.
    “Would it really be the worst thing to happen if you fell for each other again?”
    “…Maybe… It depends on what’s falling apart in his life right now.”
    “I don’t know, Beth. He’s definitely not a Jack the Ripper type. Maybe you could take it slow and just see what happens.”
    Beth brightened. “And we’re not going to be in Las Vegas forever.”
    “Nope. Maybe you’ll escape with your heart intact after all.”
    “…Maybe…” Beth frowned and stood up. “Let’s go to Serendipity and have some ice cream.”
    “Serendipity?”
    “…Oh, you know. That cool restaurant at Caesar’s Palace with the great desserts…”
    “…Gotcha. Let’s stoke up on the calories for the performance tonight. We need our strength to play.”
    Beth laughed and began to get dressed.
     
     
    * * *

 
     
     
    CHAPTER SEVEN

    Bryce called her a few more times during the next week – At least six or seven times. She wasn’t returning his calls, but he couldn’t let it go. He’d seen that spark in her eyes when she thought he wasn’t looking… He really wanted to talk to her… He really needed to talk to her… At long last…
    One night he was calling Beth from home when Sylvia walked into the den. He noticed her white blonde hair with not a strand out of place and her immaculate ice-blue suit. It was her travel suit… He looked over at her as she held up a card… a business card… Beth’s card… It must have fallen on the floor.
    “Whose card is this?”
    Sylvia looked vague and he disconnected the call.
    “You can read the name…” He looked sharply back at her.
    “Yes, I can.” She looked at the card and read, “ Beth Lane … Who’s that?”
    “She’s the pianist from the San Francisco Quartet that we heard last week.
    “… I thought so…” She sat down in a chair by his desk. “Is there something going on?”
    “Not in the way you’re thinking.”
    “How am I thinking?”
    He ran his hand through his dark hair. “Sylvia, I’m not having an affair.”
    She paused and carefully scrutinized his face.
    “No… it’s worse than that, isn’t it?”
    Bryce stared back at her and nodded. “Yes…”
    “… I know things aren’t going well for you at work.”
    He blinked. “What have you heard?”
    “Nick’s wife mentioned that Nick was surprised you’re taking so long to complete this latest buyout you’re working on…”
    “She actually said that?”
    Sylvia shook her head at him. “Not good, Bryce, to piss off the boss.”
    He swallowed. “Things are changing for me, that’s