Page 123 of Hollywood Undercover
Chapter 48
ALEXANDRA knewEva wouldn’t letup.
“Why don’t you let him decide if it’s insane,” Eva asked. “Maybe he’s just the guy to bring balance back to your sordid state of affairs right now. How long are we stopping by your father’s housetonight?”
“Just for a few minutes. Dad wanted me to pick up a file in his office cabinet. After that, I thought you and I could do dinner before I drop off thefile.”
Eva rubbed Alexandra’s back and looked over at her. “Let me be the first to say that ideasucks.”
“Why isthat?”
“Because there’s no ‘Bash’ in that plan. Come on, dear. You’ve got a few days left in town. Make the best of it. You go ahead and stay with Bash, and let me go with the driver to take the file to your father. You don’t know how good it is to be here in Tucson with no one after me for appearances or interviews or auditions. I can do dinner in my suite, kick my feet up and relax for a change. We can get together in Los Angeles when we head back, but for now any free time you have should be with that sexy neighbor who I’m betting really cares for you. What’s holding you back?” Eva scooted closer in the back seat. She hugged Alexandra, and pressed her head on hershoulder.
“Common sense,” Alexandra said to her. “I just can’t see how things could work out in the long haul, you know? Not without major compromise and probably way more media attention than Bash ever hopedfor.”
Eva rubbed Alexandra’s shoulder. “Between me and you, as much as I respect your ability to make good decisions in your life, it’s hard to keep watching you run into brick walls when it comes to love and romance. You finally meet a man who fits. He’s a really nice guy, yet you’re ready to give up on him? You’re jumping the gun, Lex. I’ve watched you fight harder than this to stay with downright scoundrels. Bash is a great guy worth fighting for, and you’re throwing in the towel? I just don’t getit.”
Alexandra lifted her head and leaned back to look at Eva, slightly shocked by her best friend’s blunt choice of words. Dropping her face into her hands from embarrassment, she slowly accepted the accuracy of Eva’s assessment, even though she hated hearing it. Still she had to ask. “I’m not saying you’re wrong, Eva. I agree with you, but tell me something. Where exactly do you think Bash will fit in this picture? Should I work him in before or after the recording, the album release, or the scheduled tour? Should I ask him to give up his life to be withme?”
“You’re missing thepoint.”
“No, I think I see the point. Let’s face it. I’m not running this show. There is barely any room in Lexxi Rock’s life for Alexandra Storme, let alone Sebastian Sullivan. That’s not a choice—it’s reality. Maybe I did fight harder in the past for lesser men, but I’ve grown from fighting those losing battles. I’m learning from my mistakes.” She swallowed thickly. She was close to tears now, and blinked them back. “I don’t want to see him hurt. It doesn’t matter how I feel about him. I’d blame myself if my lifestyle burns him. He’s too good forthat.”
Eva reached her arm around her and held her while she let the tears fall. “I’ll be damned. You’re in love with Bash. I’m being hard on you when you’re really trying to be noble. It’s commendable, honey, but you’re still wrong. Pushing him away so soon is the wrongmove.”
“So what’s the right move, in youropinion?”
“Let it be. See where things go. Be open to whatever comes ofit.”
“You won’t be singing that tune when Wilkes or some media shark shoves Bash into thelimelight.”
“True, but here’s a thought. Do you know how many times I’ve had movie roles as an assassin? I can make Wilkes disappear for you and I’m almost positive I’d get away with it,” shejoked.
Alexandra giggled, shaking her head fiercely as she swiped away the tears from her cheeks. Sniffling, she replied, “Have you seen American prisons? On the off chance you did get caught, it would be hell. That skunk Wilkes can live. I just want him to stay the hell away fromme.”
A few Wilkes-bashing comments later, the driver cruised to a halt outside of Dad’s house. Streetlights illuminated the inky black night in the quiet, beautiful neighborhood. It was late evening, and she wondered if Bash was evenaround.
“Let’s make this quick, Eva. I don’t want to keep Dad up too late. Are you sure you don’t mind taking the file tohim?”
“Positive.”
“Okay. Thanks so much. I have a radio station appearance early tomorrow morning, so I’m not sure it’s a good idea to stay over at Bash’s place. I need to get somesleep.”
“Sleep is the last thing you need right now, Lex, butwhatever.”
Eva waited in the car while Alexandra went inside. Hurrying up to the second floor, she found the file and brought it back to the car. “Here it is. Tell Dad I’ll phone him soon,okay?”
“Will do,honey.”
Alexandra walked around to the driver to let him know she needed him to pick her up to take her to the radio show. He agreed, and left with Eva. She headed over to Bash’s front door and knocked, even though she still had a key. After several loud knocks and retrying the doorbell, he didn’tanswer.
Crap. I wonder where heis?
She checked her bag for the spare key, slightly worried, and didn’t notice the sound of someone coming up the front porch steps behindher.
“I didn’t think I’d see you for a while,” Bash said to her, wrapping his arms around her waist as he moved in behindher.
Alexandra’s chest tightened. Her heart pounded as Sebastian’s cologne wafted into her nostrils, along with an indulgent mix of fantasies and memories. Turning to him, she reached her hand up around his neck. “I’ve missed you,” she said withoutthinking.
