Alana
I walkedinto the garden and placed the bottle of wine and two glasses on the table before taking a seat opposite Kelsey, who had her head hanging back between her shoulders, her face tilted towards the sun and a huge smile on her face.
She looked up at me as I sat down. ‘This is some amazing place you’ve got here, Alana. I could get used to this,’ she said with a sigh.
‘You’d never leave New York,’ I laughed as I poured the wine.
She shrugged. ‘Maybe I would. For a house like this,’ she grinned at me. ‘Or the right guy?’
‘What?’ I smiled at her. ‘You’d seriously consider moving to L.A?’
‘New York isn’t as much fun without you. The landlord has put the rent up again on my apartment. I hate my job. I kind of feel like I need a fresh start.’
‘But, you love the city,’ I reminded her.
‘So do you. Or at least you did. Would you move back there now?’
‘No,’ I shook my head. ‘I hated it here when I first arrived, but now it feels like home.’
‘I can see why you love it here. It’s beautiful. And Alejandro - well he’s hot!’ she laughed. ‘And he has so many hot bodyguards too,’ she flashed an eyebrow at me.
‘Hmm. So, you and Hugo? Tell me everything.’
‘Oh, he’s as hot as hell. And when we were on the plane over here, while you and the panty melter were otherwise engaged, we had a bit of a kiss and well, you know? But since we landed in L.A, he’s been super professional and as much as I try to tempt him, he’s not biting. I suppose he has a lot going on with trying to find out what happened to Alejandro’s father?’
‘Yeah. I guess they’re all kind of busy right now.’
‘Does Alejandro have any idea who is responsible yet?’
‘No,’ I shook my head. ‘At least not that he’s told me anyway. And I’m sorry that you’re practically on house arrest here. I’d love for us to have gone out while you’re in L.A. Alejandro has an amazing club, but he says it’s just too risky right now.’
Kelsey nodded. ‘Don’t worry, honey. I totally understand. It’s no hardship being confined to this house anyway.’
‘I know. But you’re only here for a few days. I’d have at least liked to have shown you some of the sights.’
Kelsey placed a hand on my knee. ‘Will you stop worrying. This isn’t your doing. I’m a big girl and if I want to get out of here, I will, but I’d rather spend my last two days here with you, by this beautiful pool. Do you think we could encourage Hugo to come out here and have a swim?’ She lifted her sunglasses and gave me a cheeky wink.
‘I think he might consider that a dereliction of duty,’ I laughed.
‘But he’s your bodyguard. If you’re in the pool too, then isn’t he doing exactly what he’s paid to? Oh, I wish he’d offer to guard my body,’ she sighed.
‘Maybe the next time you visit, he won’t be so distracted with work,’ I suggested.
She smiled at me. ‘Oh, do you think? Maybe we could all go out to Alejandro’s club. That would be awesome. Clubbing with my girl and her hot bodyguard,’ she giggled.
‘You are man crazy,’ I said as I swatted her playfully on the arm. ‘I’m sure you’ll forget all about poor Hugo as soon as you’re back in New York.’
‘Oh, I don’t know honey, those eyes and those biceps are kinda hard to forget.’
‘I seem to recall you saying that about Logan Woods not so long ago.’
‘Oh, well he turned out to be a complete asshole didn’t he? You always had his number though, Alana, You’re such a great judge of character when it comes to men. I always pick the crazies or the complete assholes.’
‘Well, I’m not sure you’re entirely right about that,’ I laughed.
She took off her sunglasses and looked at me while she took a sip of her wine. ‘Actually,’ she frowned. ‘You hardly ever dated at all, even in college. Not since Bobby Conroy broke your heart.’
‘Exactly, I didn’t pick well there, did I?’ I flashed my eyebrows at her.