***
I managed to forget about Sophie’s presence as the day progressed. Spending all day locked away in my study was the best option for everyone. If I ventured out, I might run into Sophie and an argument would ensue. That would only serve to anger me, upset her, and make Liam even more uncomfortable.
By lunchtime, I’d sunk into a familiar rhythm. I answered all my emails for the day and began to catalogue the latest shipment I’d received. The office was sending over a crate at a time, so I could go through everything individually. When I was done cataloguing, I priced the items and sent them back to the warehouse. There, they were prepared for auction or for private buyers.
In just a few short hours, I’d managed to make it through an entire crate and a half of merchandise. I felt great about myself, more productive than I’d felt in weeks.
When my phone rang sharply, I was already grinning. Nothing could ruin my mood. Not even Sophie Newman’s presence in my house. So long as she stayed in the opposite wing, I would be just fine.
“This is Andrew Hopper,” I said, putting the phone to my ear.
“Andrew!” a chipper voice echoed through the phone. “It’s Antoinette!”
“Anti,” I said with a chuckle. “If it isn’t my favorite collector in all of France.”
“Andrew,” she said sternly. “You know your flattery does not work on me.”
“And you know that’s a filthy lie.”
Antoinette laughed jovially and launched into the reason for her call. She had a lead on a new dig somewhere in Africa. I didn’t recognize the name of the city she mentioned, but I wrote it down all the same.
“I want you to head over there,” Antoinette said. “See if you can’t find me something invaluable.”
“Anti, you know I can’t just up and travel to Africa,” I said firmly. “I have a business to run.”
“Then, send someone,” Antoinette said. I could practically see her wave her hand casually over her shoulder. “Just find me something, Andrew. I’m counting on you.”
“Have I ever disappointed you before?” I asked playfully.
“Only that night is Barcelona, my love.”
“Now, now, Anti, don’t hold that over my head.” I laughed again.
“I’ll be furious with you forever, Andrew Hopper,” she said, laughing softly. Her playful nature was just one thing I had always loved about Antoinette.
Despite our twenty-year age difference, Anti always made it her business to flirt with me. Whenever she visited the states, I was in for at least a few butt grabs and coquettish winks. I loved her attention because it was harmless and entertaining.
“I’ll get someone over there,” I said. “I promise.”
“Ah Andrew,” Antoinette said, cooing into the phone. “You are certainly my hero.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but my office door suddenly swung open. I glanced up, expecting to see Liam standing in my doorway, but it wasn’t Liam. It was Sophie.
She took a confident step inside the office, her eyes locking on my face. When she saw that I was on the phone, she mouthed a silent apology and gestured for me to continue my conversation. I just stared at her, open-mouthed and dumbfounded.
“Hold on just a second, Anti,” I said into the phone.
I laid the phone down on my desk and began to rise from my chair. The glare I fixed Sophie with was sharp and instant. She took a step backward and frowned, clearly surprised by my anger.
“Get. Out.” My voice was low and dangerous.
“What?” Sophie blinked. “This will just take a second, Andrew. I found something.”
“Get out!”
Before either of us could get another word out, Liam appeared in the doorway and quickly ushered Sophie away. He pulled the door closed behind him. I sank back down on my chair and put my head in my hands. This woman was going to kill me.
“Anti,” I said as I picked up the phone again. “Let me call you back in a few.”
“Don’t keep me waiting, Andrew.”
“Never, my darling.”
We hung up, and I leaned farther back in my chair. My hands were shaking with uncontrollable anger. I longed to run across the house and give Sophie a piece of my mind.
What was she thinking, just barging into my office that way? Didn’t she know what her father did? Didn’t she realize that this office was the exact place he’d tried to steal from me?
I was so angry that I saw red. My head was spinning as I tried to calm myself enough to work again. It was no use. After several minutes, I was still just as upset as before. I pushed away from my desk and paced around my office, hoping that movement would help calm my fried nerves.
It worked, but only a little. My face cooled, and my fists unclenched. I still couldn’t believe Sophie. When she walked into my office, I thought for sure I was imagining things. I couldn’t fathom how anyone could possibly be that stupid.
If there was one place that was off-limits to Sophie, it was my office. After what her father tried to pull, I didn’t want a single member of the Newman family anywhere near my valuables. This office was full of priceless merchandise and ancient artifacts. I didn’t trust anyone to be around them, let alone Rick Newman’s daughter.
I continued to pace around the office until I was certain my anger was gone. I took a few deep breaths before I sat back down at my desk. My hands were no longer shaking, so I picked up the phone to call Antoinette back, hoping she would distract me from the annoyance that was Sophie Newman.