Plus One

Chapter Eleven

Cirque was one of the most popular clubs in LA, an exclusive meeting place for Hollywood's elite. From the outside, the club looked like a nondescript building, but once patrons were ushered through the black steel door, it opened up into a decadent interior: velvet paneled walls, chandeliers, and yards of fabric that crisscrossed the ceiling. A set of gilt cages hung from the ceiling where women danced in burlesque costumes and each table was ensconced in its own private booth with a small tiffany lamp set in its center. Deep, pulsing music came from a DJ in the corner of the room and a small, packed dance floor was set in the center.

Sophie entered the club on Ian's arm, a sparkling silver dress draped over her curves.

"Ready?" Ian murmured.

"Sure," she said.

They walked up to a large booth that held ten. As soon as the people in the booth caught sight of Ian they broke into good natured cheers.

"You made it!" a handsome man at the edge said, getting up to give Ian a half-hug. "Who is this gorgeous creature?" he said, his eyes landing on Sophie.

"This is Sophie," Ian said.

"Ah, the famous Sophie!" He reached out to shake her hand. "Thomas Roper."

"My best friend," Ian clarified.

"It's nice to meet you, Thomas," she said.

"Oh, the pleasure is all mine, believe me." He turned to Ian. "I'm stealing her, what do you say about that?"

"As long as she comes home with me," Ian said with a wink. Sophie kicked him and he shot her a surprised glance before chuckling. "She's a spitfire," he said. "Watch out."

Thomas grinned. "My favorite kind."

Ian's best friend tugged her to the opposite side of the booth while Ian slid in beside a gorgeous redhead. Sophie couldn't wait to see Thomas and Troy together. From what she saw already, Troy would be in heaven.

"Tell me everything about yourself," Thomas said.

She laughed. "No small talk?"

"Absolutely none. I want to know you inside out before the night is through."

He was beautiful, with pristine features—a Greek statue come to life. His blue eyes were kind, his laugh easy. Sophie found out that he was heir to a major shipping fortune and had met Ian at a family picnic the Tates were throwing way back when Ian and Thomas were in grade school.

"So you know all of Ian's tricks of the trade," Sophie said.

"That I do. How'd he trick you, Sophie?"

"That's confidential," she said.

"Oh, now I'm really intrigued."

"We met at an art gallery," she said. "Turns out he has very good taste in art."

"You're a photographer, right?"

So Ian had talked to Thomas about her. Interesting. She wondered if he knew the truth about them.

"Yes. Portraits, mostly."

"Do you have any of your photographs on your phone?" he asked.

Sophie pulled out her phone and flipped through them, their heads close together as Thomas asked questions.

"This one is at the Eldermoore Gallery. Ian sweet talked them into showing me."

"Sweet talk can only go so far, honey," Thomas said. "This is gorgeous. You got them at just the right moment."