beginning,’ Jeff told her. ’Rachel was so supportive. Even though she hated baseball, she used to come to the games to watch me play. Besides that, we had a lot in common.’
I’ll bet you did.
‘She’s really a wonderful woman, completely unspoiled. She loved to cook. When she was on a shoot, Rachel would cook for the other models.’
Great way to get rid of the competition. They were probably dropping like flies.
‘What?’
‘I didn’t say anything.’
‘Anyway, we were married for five years.’
‘And then?’
‘Rachel was very successful. She was always booked, and her work took her all over the world. Italy … England … Jamaica … Thailand … Japan … You name it. Meanwhile, I was playing ball around the country. We didn’t get together very often. Little by little the magic faded.’
The next question seemed logical because Jeff loved children. ‘Why no children?’
Jeff smiled wryly. ‘Not good for a model’s figure. Then one day Roderick Marshall, one of Hollywood’s ace directors, sent for her. Rachel went to Hollywood.’ He hesitated. ‘She called me a week later to tell me she wanted a divorce. She felt we had drifted too far apart. I had to agree. I gave her the divorce. Shortly after that I broke my arm.’
‘And you became a sportscaster. What about Rachel? She didn’t make it in movies?’
Jeff shook his head. ‘She wasn’t really interested. But she’s doing just fine.’
‘And you’re still friendly?’ A loaded question.
‘Yes. As a matter of fact, when she called me, I told her about us. She wants to meet you.’
Dana frowned. ‘Jeff, I don’t think–’
‘She’s really very nice, honey. Let’s all have lunch tomorrow. You’ll like her.’
‘I’m sure I will,’ Dana agreed. Snowball in hell, Dana thought. But I don’t get to talk to many airheads.
The airhead turned out to be even more beautiful than Dana had feared. Rachel Stevens was tall and slender, with lustrous, long blond hair, flawless tanned skin, and striking facial features. Dana hated her on sight.
‘Dana Evans, this is Rachel Stevens.’
Dana thought, Shouldn’t it have been ‘Rachel Stevens, this is Dana Evans’?
Rachel Stevens was saying, ‘… your broadcasts from Sarajevo whenever I could. They were incredible. We could all feel your heartbreak and share it.’
How do you respond to a sincere compliment? ‘Thank you,’ Dana said lamely.
‘Where would you like to have lunch?’ Jeff asked.
Rachel suggested, ‘There’s a marvelous restaurant called the Straits of Malaya. It’s just two blocks off Dupont Circle.’ She turned to Dana and asked, ‘Do you like Thai food?’
As if she really cares. ‘Yes.’
Jeff smiled. ‘Fine. Let’s try it.’
Rachel said, ‘It’s only a few blocks from here. Shall we walk?’
In this freezing weather? ‘Sure,’ Dana said gamely. She probably walks naked in the snow.
They headed for Dupont Circle. Dana felt uglier by the second. She was bitterly sorry she had accepted the invitation.
The restaurant turned out to be packed, with a dozen people at the bar, waiting for tables. The maître d’came bustling up.
‘A table for three,’ Jeff said.
‘Do you have a reservation?’
‘No, but we –’
‘I’m sorry, but –’ He recognized Jeff. ‘Mr Connors, it’s a pleasure to see you.’ He looked at Dana. ‘Miss Evans, this is an honor.’ He made a small moue. ‘I’m afraid there will be a short delay.’ His glance moved to Rachel, and his face lit up. ‘Miss Stevens! I read that you were doing a layout in China.’
‘I was, Somchai. I’m back.’
‘Wonderful.’ He turned to Dana and Jeff. ‘Of course we have a table for you.’ He led them to a table in the center of the room.
I hate her, Dana thought. I truly hate her.
When they were seated, Jeff said, ‘You look great, Rachel. Whatever you’re doing agrees with you.’
And we can all guess what that is.
‘I’ve been doing a lot of traveling. I think I’m going to start taking it easy for a while.’ She looked into Jeff’s eyes. ‘Do you remember the night that you and I–’
Dana looked up from the menu. ‘What is udang goreng?’
Rachel glanced at Dana. ‘That’s shrimp in coconut milk. It’s very good here.’ She turned back to Jeff. ’The night you and I decided that we wanted to –’
‘What is laksa?’
Rachel said patiently, ‘That’s spicy noodle soup.’ She turned back to Jeff. ’You said you wanted to –’
‘And poh pia?’
Rachel looked at Dana and said sweetly, ‘That’s jicama stir-fried with vegetables.’
‘Really?’ Dana decided not to ask what jicama was.
But as the meal went on, Dana was surprised that in spite of herself, she began to like Rachel Stevens. She had a warm and charming personality. Unlike most world-class beauties, Rachel seemed to be completely unself-conscious about her looks and displayed no ego. She was intelligent and articulate, and when she gave the luncheon order to the waiter in Thai, there was no hint of superiority. How did Jeff ever let this one get away? Dana wondered.
‘How long will you be in Washington?’ Dana asked.
‘I have to leave tomorrow.’
‘Where are you heading for this time?’ Jeff wanted to know.
Rachel hesitated. ‘Hawaii. But I’m feeling really tired, Jeff. I was even thinking of canceling this.’
‘But you won’t,’ Jeff said knowingly.
Rachel sighed. ‘No, I won’t.’
‘When will you be back?’ Dana asked.
Rachel looked at her for a long moment and then said softly, ‘I don’t
