Page 25 of Best Served Hot
‘But you had to come backhereafter…’
‘Getting sacked? Yeah. That wasn’t easy. I think everyone knows what happened. I mean, we were discreet, but… I know they know.’
‘Only an idiot wouldn’t be able to put two and two together and figure out what happened,’ Nicole said.
‘Well… this place is teeming with idiots,’ Alex sighed. She paused before saying what she said next because she wasn’t sure if Nicole would want to hear it. ‘It's embarrassing being back, if I’m honest. I feel so fucking… I was naïve. I’ve never thought I wasthat.’
Nicole looked at her with sympathy in her dark eyes. ‘So was I. I guess that’s the word we apply to people who aren’t expecting to get screwed over. Well, we know better now. Trust no one.’
Alex frowned. ‘But we have to be able to trust each other, right? This won’t work otherwise.’
Nicole shook her head. ‘I didn’t include you in that. I trust you,’ she said easily.
That confused the hell out of Alex. ‘Why? I’m exactly the one you shouldn’t, given how we met.’
Nicole thought about it for a moment. She looked confused herself. ‘I don’t know, actually. I guess it doesn’t make a lot of sense. But I can tell you’re OK.’
‘OK?’ Alex asked.
Nicole shrugged. ‘I just get a feeling about you. You’re a good one.’
Alex wasn’t sure what had happened to her body at that moment. It was as though a little shock ran through it, but a nice one. The compliment meant a lot to her right now.
Seventeen
Nicole didn’t know what it was about Alex. But her amber eyes had something in them that was impossible not to trust. However, when someone knocked on the door, she was glad of the interruption. Nicole didn’t want to make Alex feel awkward by running her mouth about how much she liked her.
‘Come in,’ Nicole said, thinking it might be Ethan. But it was a young woman with a nose piercing. ‘Hi, I’m Lena. I’m the runner. Just thought I’d introduce myself. We’re so excited to have you here.’
‘Oh?’ Nicole asked, not very interested in being buttered up like a roll.
‘You’ve got a great credit list. That episode ofJake Reedthat you did? Amazing.’
Alex’s eye roll was subtle, but Nicole caught it. ‘Oh yeah. Thanks,’ she said to Lena impassively.
Lena stood there expectantly.
‘Anything I can help you with?’ Nicole asked.
Lena’s smile dropped. ‘Oh, no. But ifyouwanted anything? A coffee or…’
Nicole held up the one she was already drinking. ‘I’m good, thanks. Machine in the hall. Bye, Lena.’
Lena nodded. ‘You’re busy, of course. I’ll leave you to it.’ She shot one quick look at Alex as she left.
‘You don’t like her, do you?’ Nicole asked Alex once Lena was out of earshot.
Alex sighed. ‘We’ve never been buddies. Put it that way.’
‘Oh, wow. You fuckinghateher,’ Nicole laughed.
Alex grinned ruefully. She opened her mouth to say more but was interrupted by a vibration from her pocket.
‘Got a message?’ Nicole asked, hopefully.
‘He won’t have reached out this quickly,’ Alex said and checked her message. ‘Well, my mistake.’
Nicole was on her feet. ‘What does it say?’
