Page 84 of Hollywood Undercover
“How nice to see you, Bash!” Aileen gushed, pulling out of the embrace and now wrapping her arms around his waist. “This is such asurprise.”
At the flash of Aileen’s wedding band, Sebastian got angry all over again at something that happened over seven monthsago.
Fuck.
Forcing a smile, he pushed down the involuntary reaction and pulled himself from her clingygrasp.
“Yes, definitely a surprise. What are you doing here,Aileen?”
“I work here, honey. I started a few monthsago.”
“Great.” Remembering his manners, he added, “Aileen, this is my friend Alex. Alex, this is, Aileen…someone I used toknow.”
Aileen tossed her glistening honey blonde hair and barely looked over her shoulder toward Alexandra, as though the person who walked in with Sebastian wasirrelevant.
“Is that all I am to you? Someone you used to know? Don’t say it like that, baby. Unless you mean you knew me in the biblical sense, in which case, yes you did.” She pressed her hands on his chest and popped up on her tiptoes to whisper, “You knew me very well,” for only him tohear.
Sebastian took a step back. Over Aileen’s shoulder, he saw Alexandra staring at the back of Aileen’s head with something more than annoyance. She was obviously pissed as hell, but, the minute she noticed him looking at her, she strained a pleasantsmile.
“Bash, whatimpeccabletaste you have,” Alexandrasaid.
It was such a catty, feminine response that Sebastian was sure Alexandra had forgotten she was still playing her Alex Roberts role. He couldn’t tell if she was upset at finding out he wasn’t gay, or if she was simply reacting to the way Aileen ignoredher.
Aileen chuckled and did a half-turn. “Oh, you’re so cute! What are you, in college or something? Way to use your SAT words, kid.” She turned back to Sebastian. “Who’s your little friend,Bash?”
Embarrassed, Sebastian grimaced. “As I said, this is Alex. We’re looking for Gerald Campbell, and we’re kind of in a hurry, here. Is heavailable?”
“Aww, babe,” she pouted, “Mr. Campbell is at a job site. You just missed him, but he’ll be back in an hour. You two should wait here for him. We can catch up on oldtimes.”
“I’d rather not. We’ll come back to seehim.”
“I haven’t seen you in months, Bash. What have you been up to?” She pushed closer and dropped her voice, but not enough for Alexandra to miss what she was saying. “You stopped taking my calls, baby. I figured you blocked my number or something. I’ve missed you,Bash.”
Sebastian didn’t bother to confirm Aileen’s statement. When he put Aileen out of his life, he had intended it to be for good. It was just bad luck that they ran into each othertoday.
He stepped toward the door. “We have to go now. Come on,Alex.”
Aileen ran back to the front desk. “Wait, let me give you his new card. Phone his cell number. He has the afternoon open and can meet you in person if you need an estimate.” She scribbled something down on the back and, with a wink, flirtatiously tucked it into the pocket on the front of Sebastian’s shirt. “Make sure you don’t lose my number again,honey.”
Alexandra rolled her eyes and marched through the door in front ofhim.
Sebastian took the card out of his pocket and passed it right back to Aileen. “Thanks, but no thanks. I already have his card, so I can phone his cell. Hey, how’s your husband beenlately?”
He couldn’t resist the reminder before he turned to leave after Alexandra. A genuine smile rose up on his face at the uncomfortable glimmer in Aileen’seyes.
“He’s fine,” she said nervously. “Thanks forasking.”
Sebastian nodded and walked out. He found Alexandra waiting at the elevator bay. The awkwardness rapidly presented itself on the elevator and when they made their way to his car. Once inside, he turned on the radio to drown out the silence. He looked over at Alexandra before starting the car. She was staring out thewindow.
“I can phone the contractor when we get back to the house if you’d like. If you prefer, there are other companies we can try. You don’t need to wait for thisone.”
She turned to him, eyes squinted as though confused. “I know I’m prying, but what was up with thatchick?”
“Remember the married person I told you about? The person I told you did a number on me?” She nodded. “Yeah, that washer.”
“Her?”
“Yes.Why?”
