Page 72 of Nothing to No One

They slowed as the gate opened. It was only as they went through that she even thought to look out the window.

“Roxie’s?”

“Yes, I heard that was the plan. Would you rather go somewhere else?”

“No.”

Whatever the plan, it was her responsibility to stick to it. Though she’d be sorry not to see Struan again that night. Two nights in a row without him was just too much.

Throughout the afternoon, she’d worried he might regret their brief interlude in the trailer. Whether he did or not, she thanked God they’d had at least that time to be alone. Wasn’t much, no, but cold turkey wouldn’t be good for either of them, they needed glimmers of togetherness if nothing else.

Mieux led the way inside past a floating staircase and partition wall that concealed a massive open plan space. Outside, a sunken lanai and pool perfected the epitome of indoor-outdoor living. Had she really spent the night there?

“Hello!” Roxie leaped up from her stool at the kitchen island to hurry over. “We’ve been waiting for you. How are you doing?”

We? So far all she could see was the blonde. Bambi never thought of herself as a hugger, as such, but Roxie’s openness and desire to comfort were reassuring in the current mess of her life.

“Okay.”

“And my Mieux.” Roxie went to do the air kiss thing before giving Mieux a short, tight hug. “I’ve missed you.”

Mieux laughed. “We talk on the phone all the time.”

Warm hospitality was just Roxie’s way. As expected, the woman shrugged off the remark. “I miss your face. You should get into the video call thing.”

“I don’t have time for video calls,” Mieux said, clutching a tablet and leather binder to her body with one arm while the opposite hand held her cellphone.

“Woman doesn’t know how to take a vacation,” Roxie said. “How to relax. All that time together on a tropical island, and I never saw you drink one drop of alcohol.”

“My whole life is a cost benefit analysis.” Mieux’s lips stayed curled. “The costs of alcohol far outweigh the benefits.”

“Then you haven’t been doing it right,” Roxie sang, dipping her head a little closer only to then straighten up and throw her arms in the air. “Ah! The man himself!”

No surprise who that would be. Tripp stayed there last night, so why wouldn’t he still be present?

Except the tall, dark-haired man who walked by them wasn’t the same ruffle-haired rake who’d brought her there last night.

“Surprised to see me?” The stranger’s arm lunged out to snatch the blonde against him. “Shouldn’t be. I’m always following you, Lola.”

“Not always,” Roxie said, sort of sly as she straightened her arms and the man came down to join their lips.

“They could be like that for a while.” Mieux took her waist to direct her around the couple toward the kitchen. “Are you hungry? I can order in. What is everyone in the mood for?”

“Stop the presses,” another male voice boomed from somewhere and she wouldn’t be caught unawares again. God knew who else might creep out the night. Except this time, it was Tripp. Hmm, radar was off. Tripp didn’t pay her, Roxie, or the other man the slightest bit of attention. “Did I hear Mieux Penrose’s voice?” For the first time, Mieux paled like she might not absorb or rebuff whatever surprise might come her way. “I did!”

Roxie pushed away from her kissing partner and batted his arms to win her freedom. “Wait, wait, wait, I hear attitude. Definite tone and attitude. What’s going on here?”

“I was going to order food,” Mieux said, ignoring Tripp whose focus stayed absolute as he moseyed up to relieve the young woman of the tablet, folder, and phone. “Whatever you—”

“I’ve ordered food,” Tripp said, snatching Mieux’s hand now her shields from the world were on the kitchen island, unable to save her. “Come here.”

Mieux yelped when he yanked her hard and sped them out of the public space.

“What don’t I know?” Roxie landed suspicion on the man she’d just been making out with. “Casanova?”

“That you’re my reason for living and breathing?”

Roxie tsked and rolled her eyes. “Duh!”

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