Surprises

Part Seven

"So you're telling me you don't know anything?" Carly asked, returning Jason's steely-eyed stare. She planted her hands on her hips and tossed her head, sending strands of blonde hair flying. "You're full of shit! You and Sonny are thick as thieves. He tells you everything."

Jason refused to budge. "Not this."

He grabbed a ledger from Sonny's desk. As he did so, he glanced at his watch. This was the fifth time by Carly's count and the slight action grated on her nerves.

"Do you have somewhere to be? Someplace that Sonny doesn't want me to know about?" she asked.

Jason's mouth thinned into a firm, straight line. His lips barely moved as he said to her, "Can it, Carly! He said he'd tell you everything when he gets back! Get your answers from him, not me!" He strode to the front door and whipped it open. "When he gets back, tell him to call me." Then, he slammed the door shut.

The echo of the slamming door went on forever inside Carly's head. It sounded so final and increased her agitation. Maybe she went too far in pushing Jason. Maybe Sonny didn't tell him why speaking with Dara was so urgent. She supposed she could have asked Alexis.

Ugh.

Carly wouldn't give that vulture the time of day. Alexis thought she was slick, but Carly saw through her. The lady lawyer had it bad for Sonny and there was no way in hell, Carly'd let her know that Sonny kept things from her. That was leverage that snob wouldn't get from Carly.

While she waited for her husband's return, she called in to Deception. Laura said that Griffin returned with the girl. Laura thought she would make the perfect Face, but she wasn't sure. Lucky was taking test shots of her, and Laura would have a messenger deliver them to the penthouse for Carly to review. Carly grumbled her thanks and ended the call.

After that, Leticia returned with a sleepy Michael. Carly kissed her little boy, and the nanny took him upstairs for his nap. The front door opened again, and the grandparent patrol burst in. Carly slumped onto the sofa. She wasn't in the mood to deal with Mike and Bobbie. Not right now. Not when she didn't know what was so important that Sonny would order her home and stay behind and talk to Dara Jensen. Of all people! Dara Jensen!

# # #

"Where are you from?"

Hope glared at the cute blonde behind the large camera. He was the other boss's son. A little older, but not too bad on the eyes. But damn, if he didn't ask a million questions.

"Are we playing twenty questions or are you taking my picture?"

"Relax," he said with a faint chuckle. "Just making small talk. Most of these shots will contain that cute glare of yours. Why not smile for a few of them to break up the monotony."

"Ha ha." Her voice dripped of sarcasm, but when he grinned, she couldn't help but curve her mouth a little.

"That's it," he said. Light bulbs flashed repeatedly. He continued to coax her. "Let's give them a lot to choose from. Toss your head. Yeah, okay. That's great. Keep it coming, Hope. You're a natural at this."

Her cheeks became warm. She knew a ridiculous blush covered her face. Hope stared at Lucky, waiting for him to mock her. To her surprise, he didn't. He kept snapping shots like nobody's business. Instead of pretending to relax, she really began to.

"These will be great," he said as he set the camera down onto his worktable.

"Is that it?" Hope asked. "We're done?"

He nodded. "I was instructed to shoot a roll. I did. Now, all I have to do is develop it."

"How long will that take?" she asked, moving to join him at the table. "Can I watch?"