A New Foundation Rochelle Alers (read aloud .txt) 📖

appeared in a commercial or on the page of a slick magazine, but no one in my family wanted their lives disrupted or dissected because I’d chosen a career where I was earning money using my face and body.”

“I was in my nail salon when I picked up People’s Most Beautiful issue—in which you were included.”

Taylor rolled his eyes upward. “Please don’t remind me of that. That was a couple of weeks before I was scheduled to retire, but my agent pleaded with me to go to the shoot. I really did it as a favor to her.”

Sonja wanted to tell Taylor that his favor had extended to millions of women because he was the epitome of elegance as he leaned against a low-slung sports car in formal dress with a mischievous smile parting his lips. His expression was hypnotic and inviting.

“Going out on top means you’ll never be labeled a has-been.”

Throwing back his head, Taylor laughed. “A has-been at twenty-four is really a stretch.”

“Don’t laugh, Taylor. Think of all the child actors that weren’t able to transition to adult roles.”

He sobered. “You’re right.”

“What’s going to happen when you open Bainbridge House as a hotel, and it’s covered by the press? Then the whole world will know that Taylor Williamson is the legendary T.E. Wills.”

“I doubt...” His words trailed off when Sonja’s cell phone rang. “Aren’t you going to answer that?”

Sonja recognized Viola’s ringtone. Reaching into her cross-body, she tapped the screen. “Hello.”

“Hey, girl. I’m calling to find out how it went with my brother last night.”

“Can I call you later?”

“Are you with him now?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t forget to call me.”

“I won’t. Later.” Sonja ended the call, set the phone on the table next to her plate and picked up her napkin, touching it to the corners of her mouth. “I don’t think I can eat any more.” The three-egg omelet was very filling.

Taylor raised his hand to signal for their waitress. “Do you want dessert to take home?”

“No, thank you. My aunt is watching my uncle’s sugar intake, and I would be sabotaging him if I brought dessert home.”

“Speaking of home, it’s time we headed out, and beat the traffic.”

“My building is at the end of the block,” Sonja told Taylor as slowed along the tree-lined street and maneuvered into an empty space. She unbuckled her belt. “Thank you for everything.”

Taylor also removed his belt. “I’ll walk you in.”

Sonja rested a hand on his arm. “It’s okay. My building is pretty safe.”

He met her eyes. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, Taylor.” Leaning to her left, she kissed his cheek. “Later.”

She knew she’d shocked him with the gesture, and got out unassisted and walked toward her building. After entering the vestibule, she unlocked the inner door and made her way to the elevator. She’d just gotten in the car when her phone’s text tone vibrated. Sonja pushed the button for the tenth floor and then tapped the icon for messages.

Taylor had sent her a contract offering the average salary for museum director or curator. It was more than double what she earned working at the gallery. She hadn’t broached the topic of salary with him because she had wanted him to make the first overture. Well, he had, and now she would be able to save enough to purchase a condo sooner rather than later.

Sonja exited the car when it stopped at her floor. Her step was light when she strolled down the hallway to the apartment. She unlocked the door, closed it and left the camera case on a chair in the entryway. She tossed her keys in a large candy dish and then sat on the chair to remove her boots, leaving them on the mat inside the door.

The flat screen was off in the living room, indicating she was alone in the apartment. Her uncle turned on the television as soon as he got up and didn’t turn it off until he retired for bed. She went into her bedroom, changed out of her street clothes and into a pair of cotton drawstring pants and oversized tee. Settling into a cushioned rocker, Sonja retrieved her cell phone and sent him a grinning face emoji, and then tapped Viola’s number.

“Tell me everything and don’t you dare leave anything out.”

“What happened to ‘hello, Sonja’?”

“Hello, Sonja. Now please tell me everything.”

“I’ve decided to work with Taylor on the restoration project.”

“I knew that would happen. But, what about you and Taylor?”

“What about us, Vi?”

“Do you like him?”

“What’s not to like? I must admit I was shocked to discover he is T.E. Wills.”

There was a pause before Viola said, “I couldn’t tell you because he really values his privacy. I know that sounds crazy when he is so recognizable. My family has more than its share of secrets. I never told any man I dated that my dad came from wealthy family, because I didn’t want to be viewed as a dollar sign. You know a lot more about me than a lot of people because I trust you, Sonja.”

“Yeah, right,” she drawled. “You trusted me so much that you didn’t tell me your gorgeous brother was a top male model.”

Viola’s sultry laugh came through the earpiece. “Sorry about that.”

Sonja pushed out her lips even though Viola couldn’t see her. “I got to see the château today.”

“What do you think of it? It reminds me of Disney’s Magic Kingdom.”

“It’s beautiful.”

“You would say that because I know how much you love old buildings and castles.”

“You don’t like it, Vi?”

“It’s not that I don’t like it. What I am is ambivalent. Taylor wants me to take over the kitchen once the hotel is up and running, but I’m still not certain that’s what I want to do.”

“Why not? Is it that you don’t believe you have enough experience to be the executive chef?”

“Maybe not now, but I’m certain I will be in a couple of years.”

“Don’t play yourself, Viola. You went to one of the top culinary schools in the country and graduated at