Page 48 of Hollywood Undercover
“You drifted off for a minute there. What’s bugging you? Missing somebody in particular? Or are you reliving the Asperger’snightmare?”
She looked over at him.Worried about hurting you, she wanted to say. “No. Just thinking about how much I’ll miss this place when I leave…and wondering what it’ll be like returning home after my uncle gets better. I wasn’t all that happy before. Coming out to Tucson has put a lot into perspective. I’ll leave knowing what’s important, what I need to be chasing, and more importantly, what Idon’t.”
“Yeah. Family iseverything.”
“No doubt,” sheagreed.
“You should invite me up one weekend and show me around yourcity.”
“I’d love to,” she said without thinking. Another lie. Well, not really. She reallywouldlove to…but as herself, not ‘Alex Roberts’. “I get really busy when I’m home. We’ll see how itgoes.”
He opened his mouth to say something, but the sound of his phone grabbed his attention. He patted around in his pockets for it. Alexandra jumped down from the low ledge, assuming it was his friends. It was time to get away from any talk that implied there was hope for a future, even a friendly future, between her and Bash. More and more, she started to believe that when her masquerade was over, Bash wasn’t going to want to have anything to do withher.
* * *
The next morning,as she was heading to the kitchen, a familiar voice sent her racing to the diningroom.
Rosa was in conversation with Dad, and the smile dimpling her cheeks could light up a room, it was so bright. Alexandra breezed over to Dad’s bedside, noting the flush on his face. He was happy to see her, laughing at whatever she said tohim.
“Hi Rosa! When did you getback?”
“Good morning, Alexandra,” she greeted her. “I flew in late last night. Lynn answered when I phoned, and I spoke briefly with yourfather.”
“Oh, right. Yes, I was out prettylate.”
“So I hear. How did it go? You were out with Sebastian Sullivan from next door, right?” Rosa gave her a playful sideways glance. It was full of questions. She ignored it, to shake away the wildspeculation.
“Yes. Some of his friends from work invited him to try out speed dating. He asked me to tag along for moral support. It turned out to be terrible, and hilarious! We had ablast.”
“That’s good!” Rosa said. “It’s nice you got to enjoy yourself a little while you’rehere.”
“And,” Dad jumped in, “now that Rosa’s back, you’ll have more time to yourself, Alexandra. You can stop fussing overme.”
“Dad,” she waved her index finger at him, “if you want time alone with Rosa, all you have to do is sayso.”
His face flushed. “Well, I,uh…”
“I’m not going to intrude. Rosa, you want any breakfast? I was about to make some scramble eggs and something for Dad. I can fix enough for all ofus.”
“I’ve already eaten, Alexandra, but thankyou.”
“Good call, Rosa, because what my lovely daughter here makes is more like burnt everything,” Dadteased.
“Ha ha. Funny, Daddy,” she shouted as she walked to thekitchen.
Alexandra felt relieved that Rosa was home. She had become a part of their little family. Dad was happier already, and getting stronger by the day. It put her in a good mood. She hummed to herself as she pulled the eggs and bacon out of the fridge. Of course, this meant she had to go back to LA soon. That thought put an instant damper on her mood. With Rick on her back about fulfilling her work commitments, it was unavoidable. She was going to have to get back to her life as soon as it wasfeasible.
Putting the thought out of her head, she focused on hownotto burn the bacon or dry out the eggs. She managed to do a decent job of cooking breakfast. She put some out neatly, and took the plate to Dad. All week, they had eaten their meals together. Now that Rosa was back, they needed alone time. She gave them some space. Taking her plate and cup of coffee, she went out to sit on the front porch. She ate slowly, watching the neighborhood come alive on the clear, sunnymorning.
Sebastian’s car was parked in his driveway. She wondered if he was up yet, or sleeping in late after the crazy night they had gone through. A fresh burst of laughter surfaced at thememory.
“Asperger’s,” she mumbled between chortles, shaking herhead.
She took a bite of her food. It was extra bland. It could use more salt, but she suffered through it. Her phone chimed an alert just before she started to plan her day. She tugged it out of her pocket. Her mood went from not too bad to borderline rage in an instant. Wilkes’ name and picture flashed across thescreen.
