Page 55 of Hollywood Undercover
Chapter 23
ALEXANDRA was stuckin an introspective mood. Her father was recovering from an illness that almost took him from her. From the sounds of flirty giggles and soft spoken conversation between him and Rosa, she could hardly believe he was the same man who clung to life a few weeks ago. She smiled as she tiptoed down to the first floor and snuck past the dining room. It felt like when she was a kid, catching her parents kissingagain.
She ducked into the living room. The house was practically all her own, the way Dad and Rosa had hidden themselves away in the dining room. She was happy for her father, and maybe a littleenvious.
Why can’t I find my ownhero?
When it came to relationships, she had bad luck. A lot of it had to do with her poor choices. Wilkes was a fine example. She thought he was the total package—nice looking, talented, ambitious, and responsible. He turned out to be a dog. And keeping up this Alex Roberts act was sure to hurt any chances of having anything withBash.
If she had to describe her ideal relationship, it would be with someone who was just as fun as he was mature; just as spontaneous as he was stable. Of course, the very idea brought Bash to mind. She immediately thought of all the reasons a relationship with him wouldn’t work. First of all, he was gay—with at least a fifty percent certainty. The possibility was dwindling because she really had no idea anymore. Second, all the rest of the reasons didn’t even matter…because he was probably gay. And she wasn’t aguy.
She turned on the television. There was a re-run of a soap opera. Great—a love scene. She rolled hereyes.
God, is everyone having sex exceptme?
The universe could be so cruel at times. She had gone much longer without it, but it didn’t help that the hot specimen of a man was right next door, and he had been so sweet to her, and she couldn’t havehim.
She dropped her head into the pillows of the sofa and let out a muted wail. “Uggghh! I really like him. I want him so bad! Why does he have to begay?”
“Why what?” Rosa said from behind the sofa. Alexandra jumped with astart.
“Wow, Rosa. When did you get in here? Sorry. I didn’t hear you comein.”
“It’s okay. Your dad is sleeping. He tried to stay up all night last night so we could talk. I convinced him to take a nap now, so we can do dinner together later thisevening.”
“Going out?” she asked,alarmed.
“Of course not, dear. We’ll bring the dining table up from the basement tonight. We can all sit and eattogether.”
Rosa sat on the sofa. Her lips turn up in a gentle smile. Alexandra sensed a heart-to-heart was on theway.
“We don’t want you to feel excluded, Alexandra. Max and I…well, we sometimes get a little caught up in each other. It doesn’t mean we forget about you, wejust…”
“I know, Rosa,” she said, cutting her off. “I’m fine with that. I totally understand. You need your alone time. I don’t mind at all. And I don’t want tointrude.”
“You’re not intruding, dear. You’ve been such a joy to your father, and we love having you here with us. It’s yourhome.”
“Thanks,Rosa.”
“Actually, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that. I overheard you this morning. Were you making plans to go back to Los Angeles? Because I hope you’re not leaving because ofme.”
“Not at all, Rosa. That’s not it. I have to get back to LA. The work is piling up. Rick’s getting anxious. I hope you and Dad understand. It’s not you guys at all. I just have to goback.”
“I understand,” Rosa replied. She hesitated before asking, “It’s Sebastian Sullivan, isn’t it? You two have aconnection.”
“A connection?” Alexandra asked with a nervous laugh. “We’re friends, but I can’t even call it that, because it’s built on pretense. He doesn’t know who I really am. Besides, I can’t stick around in Tucson while Rick is on my back about finishing thisalbum.”
“Why can’t you talk tohim?”
“Rosa, you know the deal. I didn’t want the media to find mehere.”
“Yes, but you have such an awesome story going now. You’re in France, remember? I doubt anyone suspects you’re here. With the people closest to you, there’s no need for hiding yourself away. Your dad and I know who you are. Why can’tBash?”
“Well, I can trust you guys. You just never know with other people. Bash is a nice guy, but who knows. If he tells anyone, it could end up getting out. Besides, Bash is much better friends with ‘Alex’ than he’d probably ever be withAlexandra.”
Alexandra had the very same thought as Rosa. She considered telling Bash the truth and getting it over with now, rather than waiting for him to find out some other way—if he ever foundout.
She held back because Bash wouldn’t be interested in her as Lexxi. Definitely not the way he was interested in Alex. It was hopeless trying to explain it toRosa.
