Clearing my throat, I pick up.
“Hey! Sorry, was on the treadmill when you called.”
“No problem. Thanks for calling back. I just spoke with Shawna, from St. Anne’s, and we have a huge favor to ask.”
“I’m listening.”
“We’re organizing this camp for the kids at Lake Tahoe. They’re going to have Spanish lessons in the morning and all sorts of activities in the afternoon. For example, I’m going to teach painting. And we were wondering if you could stop by and teach them some more stunts and tricks, maybe an acting class.”
“When is this exactly?”
“Starts Monday in one week, lasts for two weeks.”
“Which days are you driving up there?”
“Oh, I’m staying there.”
“For the entire two weeks?”
“Yes. It’ll be a vacation for me too.”
“Okay, wait, I’m checking my calendar now. My manager marks all my appointments on it....”
I sit cross-legged on my floor, absentmindedly tracing my thumb on the green and golden woolen carpet.
“Right, I need to fly out to LA for one day, but other than that, I’m free.”
“Wow! I wasn’t expecting that. Don’t you have two premieres coming up?”
“I do, but things only kick up hard in the month leading up to it, and the premiere month itself.”
“So, on which days do you want to drive to the lake? Or I can arrange a driver for you.”
“I could stay there for the duration of the camp, think up an acting workshop.”
“Are you sure? I mean, it’s awfully nice of you, but that’s a big-time commitment.”
“Two weeks isn’t such a long time. I’m currently reading scripts. I can do that there too. Besides, my sister and her family just left on a month-long trip to Europe, so I don’t have much going on here.”
I’ve helped Daniel organize a few events for his famous clients, and I know that people with Alex’s pockets and status can always have something going on if they want to. And usually, they opt for something much flashier than volunteering, especially if they don’t use it for PR purposes. The desire to peel back more layers and find out what lies under that gorgeous smile slams into me. I could do that in two weeks, a naughty voice pipes up at the back of my minds. Hot-white energy strums through my body at the thought. Bad, bad thought. I hug my knees to my chest, resting my chin on the right kneecap.
“I’ll do some research on the best hotels in the area and send you some options,” I say.
“Where are you staying?”
“In the resort where the camp’s taking place.”
“Any reason I can’t stay there too?”
“It’s not a five-star hotel.”
“I don’t mind. Besides, I’d be lonely, living separately from everyone else. If it’s good enough for you, it’s good enough for me.”
That bad thought circles back. All because of a kiss, which I should really forget. We kissed, we talked, we moved on.
“Okay, got it. I’ll set everything up. The kids are going to be very happy.”
“So am I. Ah, before I forget. I have the same request again. No PR, no pics.”