Page 5 of Solid Ground

He’s gorgeous. I’ve seen him in movies before, but never thought I’d get to see him up close and personal. And now I have his phone number.

“Zoe? Why am I in bed?” Caitlin slurs.

“Because you had three glasses of wine and couldn’t walk properly.”

She laughs. “I’m such a lightweight.”

“Yes, yes you are.”

“Did I dream that Declan O’Leary carried me to our room?”

I bite my bottom lip and smile to myself. “No, that was real.”

“What?”

“He offered me a driving tour of Las Vegas.”

Her blonde head pops up. “So why are you here?”

“I couldn’t really abandon you when you’re unconscious.”

She shrugs. “I’m fine.”

“I’ve got his number. He said we could have a rain check.”

Caitlin flops back down. “So, call him. What’s the time?”

I sigh. “A little after ten.”

“Call him now. Tell him you want to go tonight. I’m going back to sleep.”

“Are you sure?” I glance at my phone.

“Yes. Go. How many times in your life do you think you’re going to get the chance to hang out with a movie star like Declan O’Leary?” She sounds so tired. I don’t know if it’s just the alcohol—she’s been labouring over this wedding for months.

“Only if you’re sure …”

“I’ll push you out the door,” she mumbles. “Go and have fun.”

Picking up my phone, I take a deep breath and start a text.

Me:It’s Zoe. Caitlin is okay and insisting I go out. Still want to show me around?

It only takes a moment for him to reply.

Declan:I’d love to. I’ll call my driver. Meet you in the lobby in ten minutes.

I’m not sure what I’m doing.

I don’t know this guy, but I’m about to get in a car and tour Las Vegas with him.

This was supposed to be mine and Caitlin’s weekend together. In two weeks she’s getting married to Brandon, her NFL-player boyfriend. He’s just been transferred to a team in Chicago, so soon after the wedding, my best friend will move more than three thousand kilometres away.

I only have a year left on my current contract, and before then I’ll need to work out what my next move is and whether I can stay on in the US versus going home to New Zealand.

It feels like I’ll be losing all the good things in my life in the next few months.

So to hell with being good. I’ve lived my whole life as the good girl, the one who never rebelled, who never did anything crazy.

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