Page 16 of With Love, Alex

“Yeah, sure Poppy went to the bathroom at least ten minutes ago but hasn’t come back yet. I’m tired of standing around waiting for her.” Reeves turned and started to plow through the crowd with his wide shoulders and tall frame. He was a least six foot and towered over both me and Matt making a path for us to follow.

As we waited our turn at the bar, I stood and listened to Matt and Reeves talk as I did more people watching. I knew there were plenty more celebrities under the masks and paint, but unless I was introduced, I’d never figure out who they were because some of the makeup jobs I swore they must have had a makeup artist do their makeup they were so astounding. It made our doctor and nurse costumes seem weak and lame in comparison. I knew that if there was a contest we’d definitely lose unless it was for most unimaginable. Not that I would say any of that to Matt. I’d already expressed my dislike for what he’d picked out for me. At least the crazy killer shoes weren’t as bad as I thought, and they did make my legs look hot. If I did say so myself. It would have been a tragedy if I couldn’t have worn the Louboutin’s the only chance I had.

“Matt,” A girl shrieked from behind us, her heels clacking on the floor in rapid succession.

Turning around I was shocked to see Becca Matthews headed our way with her arms outstretched. She wasted little time as she engulfed first Matt and then Reeves in a big hug. Becca was gorgeous even dressed as a zombie bride with eye defying makeup that made it look like she had a few chunks of skin missing.

“Who’s your date?” she asked, batting her eyelashes.

“Becca this is Alex. Alex, this is my friend and the host of the party, Becca Matthews.”

Instead of saying hi or shaking my head, Becca gave me the same hug she’d given both Matt and Reeves.

“Let’s let these boys talk and I’ll show you around. I’m in need of some girl talk,” she said after placing a drink in each of our hands. Hooking her arm through mine, Becca pulled me away as she whispered who the couple in the corner were. They were as close to having sex without having sex in public as they could be. They were putting on quite a show, so much so I didn’t stop looking until Becca dragged me into the next room giggling and pointing out more celebrities.

An hour later, I’d met more actors, directors, producers, models, and pop stars than I thought possible in one room. Becca seemed to know everyone, and she’d invited them all to her party. I still wasn’t happy with my costume, but no one had looked at me or treated me badly so that was a plus. Instead they were all (okay not all, but almost all of them) very nice and didn’t act like the divas I thought they would. The media portrayed them out to be a lot different from the kind, sweet, and funny people that I’d met. I think a lot of it had to do with the people that Becca had invited. She was very down to earth to the point that you’d label her a hippie or bohemian and I loved her instantly.

Becca’s house was clean and crisp while at the same time very homey once we got out of the parts that had been heavily decorated for the party. Most of her furniture were either white or a very light grey, which I thought was trouble having two kids and huge parties like the one she was throwing. I wasn’t sure how she kept it so clean. On second thought, I was sure she had someone or multiple someone’s clean her house. It was easy to forget that she was a big Hollywood actress with how easy it was to talk to her and how open she was. It felt as if I’d known her for years and not an hour. Her and her family weren’t Hollywood royalty, but they were pretty darn close. Even with her down-to-earth vibe there was something wild simmering underneath creating an even more enticing allure.

“I don’t think they’ve left their spot the whole time we’ve been gone,” Becca murmured loudly in my ear. Unless you were shouting, you couldn’t hear the person next to you the party had gotten so loud with the music and the amount of people.

“Doesn’t look like it. If I don’t get a chance to tell you later, you throw a great party. I have to admit I was nervous when Matt mentioned it, but you’ve made me feel more than welcome. Thank you.”

“Oh, you.” Becca swatted her hands in my direction. “You don’t need to thank me. I’m just happy to see Matt out and about and looking happy. Ever since his divorce he’s seemed-” she paused and looked back at Matt for a moment before she continued. “Lost. I guess is the word to best describe him. He’s partied too hard and kind of became a man whore, but after he met you, Matt called me and told me that he’d met a sweet girl that he could see himself with while he was in Missouri. I think he’s enamored with you and it’s so sweet,” she beamed at me. “He needs a good woman to keep his head on his shoulders.”

“I’m not sure if that’s me.” I told her truthfully. “We live so far away from each other and it’s all so new. With my history with my ex-husband, I have no clue what I’m doing.”

“Well, whatever you’re doing it seems to be working. He’s the old Matt that I used to know, and I desperately want him to stay that way or I don’t see good things in his future. Many people think that if you’re a celebrity, you can do anything and still get hired in the business, but that’s not true. I know he’s been turned down on quite a few jobs that he wanted, and he wouldn’t listen to me that he needed to clean up his act. No studio wants a liability on their hands and I’m sad to say that Matt has turned into a one.” Her mouth set in a hard line as she eyed him from our spot.

The music had stopped, and we were in a corner where we could see Matt, but no one could hear us talking. I was shocked Becca was being as open with me as she was. She really must’ve been worried and thought I’d done something to warrant her trust. Becca hadn’t told me everything, but what she had told me kind of scared me. It sounded like Matt had been out of control. It might not have been in the media, but executives and producers seemed to know what he had been up to.

“I really should get you back to him. I’ve taken you away for long enough and I should probably make sure no one is trying to burn down my house or anything like that.” Becca laughed as if it were a real possibility or that it’d happened once or twice. Once again, she hooked her arm through mine as we made our way.

The moment Matt spotted us, his face lit up with a beaming smile. It’d been a long time since anyone but Mason looked happy when they saw me. I couldn’t remember when or if Decker had ever lit up like Matt, had just done. Warmth flowed through me and I could feel my lips tip up as I smiled back at him.

Leaning down to greet me with a soft kiss, Matt smiled as his eyes trailed over my face before he spoke against my ear. “Hey.”

“Hey,” I replied back softly against his cheek.

“Did you have fun with Becca?”

“I did. Her house is gorgeous. My head’s spinning, she introduced me to so many people. She’s really sweet.”

Interrupting with shaky words, Reeves asked, “Did you by any chance see Poppy?”

Giving Matt a strange look, Becca’s demeanor instantly changed as she looked back to Reeves with sadness in her eyes. “No, I’m sorry. Didn’t you say she was headed to the bathroom earlier?”

“Yeah, I don’t know what could’ve happened to her. In case she came back through here looking for me, I haven’t moved from this spot in-” Reeves stopped to look at his phone. The smile he had been wearing the whole night vanished. “Two hours. It’s been two hours and nothing. Not even a single text message. What the fuck,” he yelled, frustrated.

There was a slight pause in the surrounding chatter, but with one stern look from Becca, the crowd quickly went back to what they were doing.

Resting her hand on his arm, she replied. “I’m sorry, honey. If I see her, I’ll let her know that you’re looking for her. I’m sure she’s catching up with someone she hasn’t seen in forever and didn’t realize how much time has gone by. I hate to leave you like this, but I need to go mingle and check with my guests. If I don’t see you again before you leave it was great meeting you, Alex. I’ll get your number from Matt when I have my phone with me.” Becca gave me another hug.

“Sounds great. They don’t seem to make costumes with pockets for phones. Although, I don’t know where you would put one on mine,” I replied looking down at my barely there nurses costume.

“Next time don’t let Matt pick out your costume. Call me and we’ll figure out a good one for you two to wear.” As she stepped back into the crowd, Becca blew us kisses before turning on her heel and disappearing into the mix of people.

Turning back to Matt and Reeves, my heart broke a little for Reeves and his sad expression. “Have you tried calling or messaging her? Maybe Becca was right, and she got lost in conversation with someone. I know it’s happened to me before especially when I’m with a good friend. Trust me, we ladies like to talk. A lot.”

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