Page 43 of Isolation
Mia doesn’t rat me out, but her eyes flicker to me for a second too long, before she catches herself. Milo turns to give me a questioning look.
“She told me that she was twenty-one,” I shrug, trying to keep things light.
Everyone falls in a fit of laughter, and even Milo cracks a smile.
“Is this what you let my sister do when I send her to Paris?” He raises an eyebrow.
“Well, I usually offer her heroin because alcohol has empty calories.”
We are graced with another round of laughter, along with an exasperated eye-roll from Milo.
“I’m glad you consider her dietary needs,” Milo retorts dryly.
Mia grins, indicating that we are both on the same wavelength. It’s a game we used to play to tease Milo. She loves this game, and I know it will distract her from all the drama.
“Mia prefers sticking to cocaine, which is even better for suppressing appetite. Plus, she doesn’t like needle marks. Kids nowadays,” I huff at Mia with a dramatic eye roll.
“Needle marks just aren’t sexy for all the Tinder hookups and one night stands that Raven lets me have,” Mia pipes in.
“Ugh!” Milo runs a hand over his face, and the rest of us laugh again.
“But don’t worry. Raven took me to a Parisian brothel so I can be properly trained on the art of seduction. They said that I am talented enough to be a courtesan,” Mia flips her hair.
I sigh dramatically. “Alas, she didn’t make the cut. She failed the drug test because you know… the cocaine.”
“Are you two done?” Milo asks us in an unamused tone.
“But you will be proud to know that she has a callback for next year,” I nod firmly.
“You are both grounded. Go to your rooms.”
The laughter continues, as we further tease Milo. Once we get closer to brunch time, everyone disperses from the room.
The boys help carry things to the table. Mia and Jaci help set up. Alexa is the only one still lingering around the kitchen with me.
“So, did Brandon talk to you yet?”
After Brandon’s input, I am not sure how to take Alexa’s interest in starting a business with me. Especially since the word about Milo and I getting caught together has now spread.
“He did,” I nod. “Andyouare positive about wanting to do this?” I inquire pointedly.
“Of course, I do. Didn’t Brandon give you the spiel about how I am a ruthless businesswoman, and I plan to negotiate a larger stake, leaving you with only scraps of the share?”
I burst out laughing. Alexa and Brandon are both infectious sometimes. “Well, at least you are honest about ripping me off.”
Alexa leans in to bump my shoulder gently. “Call me the honest business mafia.”
Honestly, I would love to work with Alexa. She is genuine and has always been a friend to me. I trust her.
Plus, I received a wake-up call after observing how quickly Tessa dissipated from the highs of life to the bottom of the barrel.
After watching the subsequent effect she is having on this family, I am determined to have more than that out of my own life.
So, I turn to Alexa and take a leap of faith. “You know what, Alexa, this sounds like a brilliant idea.”
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Ever since my conversation with Alexa, I am determined to change the remaining days I have left in this house.
