Page 55 of The Other Side of Paradise
“Oh.” She was quiet for a solid two seconds before she said, “Yeah. Right. Yes. Um… yep. Uh-huh. I mean, I’m open. That’s the goal that I said I… had.”
Oh my god, she sucked at lying. I can’t believe I didn’t notice. “So, tonight?”
“Tonight what?” she squeaked. I folded my arms.
“What do you think? Getting laid.”
“Um… that’s a tall order?”
“Don’t be a quitter. Ryan and Brooklyn are going back to their place in a bit to go fuck like animals, so let’s finish up here with Oscar and let him go have his coveted alone time so we can get you out somewhere for a hookup.”
She scratched her head. “I still don’t think that’s going to happen, but I, uh, I’m not keen to stay and climb more, so… lead the way.”
She would tell me to lead the way. She did love it when someone gave her instructions. I mean, based on what I’d just learned, she probably really wantedmeto give her instructions.
Well, I guess that was what I was off to do. Maybe that meant she’d listen.
Chapter 16
Allison
I was not getting action tonight. Not when I was ostensibly going to go look with Stella right next to me, distracting me from literally anybody else.
But Stella was stubborn as hell, and so here I was, checking me into the sky lounge at the center down the street from the resort, technically a part of the resort but operated and run by different people. We sometimes borrowed staff members back and forth, and I hoped to god none of my coworkers were going to see me here with Stella, or I’d never live it down.
I mean, I wasn’t complaining—the place was beautiful, a rooftop lounge area with a covered mezzanine level that had an attached restaurant and a roof with a bar, infinity pool, hot tub, and a big-ass speaker system with a DJ currently ramping up some kind of progressive house mix as the sun sank low over the views of the island around us. The kind of place where, if I worked hard all my life and got lucky, I’d, uh, still never make it to. Stella walked through it all like it was normal, and I felt the gap between us more than ever.
“If I sneak you a drink, do me a favor and don’t tell anybody,” she said, leaning close to me as she led me throughthe mezzanine, away from the crowds a little bit to a secluded spot behind a wooden lattice wall covered with thick-growing vines, a fire burning in a glass fireplace opposite the booth seating as the temperature came down with sunset. A TV was turned on above the fireplace, playing something. I could not have told you what was on it, not for a million dollars.
I didn’t know what possessed me to say, “You like a little trouble, huh?” but I regretted it instantly. Especially when she looked at me with that glint in her eyes. ApparentlyIliked a little trouble.
“I really do,” she said, and I got a jolt in my stomach when she put a hand on my lower back, ushering me on into the little room behind the lattice, sitting me next to the railing that looked out over the island and dropping down on my other side. Closing me in. I wanted her to move even closer, close me in more, and at the same time I was two seconds away from jumping over the railing to escape. She leaned in front of me to meet my gaze, smiling slyly. “Allison?”
I swear she’d been dropping my name like that constantly since the whole thing at the climbing gym and shehadto know it was giving me goosebumps. “Yeah?”
“Tell me what you want.”
Heat blossomed in my chest. “Um—what?”
“To drink. Or a snack. Whatever. I’m gonna pop off to the bar.”
“Oh, shit, yeah, uh.” I flushed hotter. “God, I don’t know, just, like, a… a coke or something.”
“It’s all yours, Allison,” she said with a wink, and I needed her to stop saying that. And to stop winking. And to stop doing both at once. She stood up, and ostensibly, I stared at the TV while she was gone. Practically, I still didn’t know what was playing. Probably a sport. Maybe a nature documentary. I didn’t fucking know.
It only set in by the time Stella was back with two glasses that this didn’t make any sense, and I cleared my throat as I took the drink she handed me. “Thanks,” I said. “Um… why are we over here? You know, off in a corner where we can’t see anyone, if, you know…”
She raised her eyebrows, pausing midway through sitting down. “You don’t want to be all alone with me where no one can see?”
“Uh—” I put a hand over my face, looking away. Beautiful view over the railing. I assume it was beautiful. I wasn’t processing anything I was seeing. “Well, if you’re trying to keep me all to yourself, b-be my guest.” Shit, I stammered. So much for a smooth reply.
She laughed, sitting next to me. “We’re here to talk strategy before we move. Besides, it’s still quiet here. We need all the hot girls to show up still.”
“Psh. We’ve already got the hottest one around.”
She gave me a loaded smile, and my stomach dropped out. “So you think I’m the hottest girl around?”
“Uh.” I kicked myself tothink dammitand put words together. “I mean, if you look in the mirror and don’t think so, I guess the glasses don’t work after all.” That was terrible. She seemed to like terrible pickup lines, though, because her eyes sparkled.
