Ruby Red, The Sequel - The Romance Story Continues (Complete)

Chapter 30

"Sam Harrington's phone, how may I help you?"

Ali's stomach turned at the sound of the female voice. "Hi Victoria, how are you?"  Why was she always so polite to this woman?  And why was Victoria answering Sam's phone?"

"Oh hi, Aliiiii." The other woman dragged out the last vowel in her name like she was some eighties valley girl. "I'm great.  Sam and I are working hard." Victoria emphasized the word hard, making it sound like she was an extra in a porno.

"Do you have the list of names for the charity auction yet?" Ali decided to make use of the situation.

Victoria had been promising her this list for days now.

"Oh, right.  The list." Victoria practically cooed. "Yup, should have it for you soon."

"Good.  You know we need it."

"Sam!" Victoria squealed delightfully, "Stop that." The sound of her girlish giggle grated across Ali's nerves.  She heard him muffle a response in the background.

"Victoria. I'd like to speak to my boyfriend." Ali emphasized the final word.

"Um, sure." Victoria seemed to stall. "He's right here."  This time she could clearly hear Sam demand she give him the phone. Then it sounded like there was a struggle of some sort. Ali's mind conjured up an image of Vicky holding the phone away from Sam, forcing him to come closer to her to retrieve it.

"Hey." Finally, Sam was on the line. "Sorry about that."

About what exactly wondered Ali. But she didn't ask.

"We're getting ready for the call with the investors from Australia."  Right, Ali had forgotten this was his excuse tonight for not coming home. Great.  Another evening alone.

"Well, I won't keep you then.  What time do you think you'll be home?"

"No later than 10 I hope."

Ali balled her free fist, trying to sound normal on the phone. "Great. See you then."

"Uh-huh." Sam sounded distracted again.

"I love you."

"Love you too." And then Sam was gone.  He had hung up.

Too? It was not the response Ali was hoping for.  She wanted him to say he loved her more.  She wanted some reassurance from him. She wanted to know she mattered to him.

A part of her, the logical side knew she was being irrational.  Sam was under a lot of pressure, trying to please everyone. Repairing his relationship with his father, making his mark with the foundation and helping Leif Stewart get his campaign up and running all took time. He had valid reasons for leaving her to her own devices.

But that logical side had let Ali down before.  She had made similar excuses with her ex-husband when he started finding reasons to stop spending time with her. Echoes of her former life, being ignored by Jack, crashed in on her life now and stung.  Sam wasn't purposely secluding Ali as Jack had, but the isolation still felt all too familiar.

To his credit, Sam had asked her to join him on his numerous dinners and drinks while drumming up support for Leif Stewart.  Ali had gone with him at first, playing the supportive girlfriend. But she felt she stood out like a sore thumb.  So, she had politely started refusing, telling Sam to go without her.

Tonight was different though. Tonight it was his former girlfriend taking Sam away from her.  A woman Sam still had a lot of feelings for – even if they were mostly feelings of guilt. 

Ali refused to let those thoughts take root.  Sam was not Jack. Sam would not cheat on her.  No matter how hard Victoria tried to ensnare him.  Because if there was one thing Ali did know for sure, it was the fact that the woman was trying her best to attract Sam's attentions.