Page 94 of Hollywood Undercover
“Hello?”
“Hi, Bash. I just wrapped up what I had to do. Are your friends at the houseyet?”
“I just picked them up at their place. Are we still on?” he asked tentatively. The way she left earlier in the afternoon, he had no idea what toexpect.
“That’s why I was calling. Sorry about the last minute changes, but do you think we can make it just drinks and a few hors d'oeuvrestonight?”
“Hang on, let me ask.” He turned to Clint. “Are you guys okay if we only do drinks andappetizers?”
“Sure. We’ve already ate. We’re used to having dinner by six,buddy.”
Sebastian held the phone to his ear again. “Noproblem.”
“Great. Thanks for understanding, Bash. I’m at a restaurant patio downtown. Check your text messages in a minute. I’m sending you the address. There’s a friend here I want you to meet, too. When you get here, ask for Eva’s table,okay?”
“Got it. See yousoon.”
The text came in shortly after the call ended. Sebastian keyed the address into his GPS. Although it was on a familiar street, he couldn’t remember ever eating there. It wasn’t until he made it downtown and parked out front that he recognized it by name. Tucked between similar establishments, Salutto’s was one of the city’s finestrestaurants.
“Now, this is fine dining,” Clint said, letting out a low whistle. “Beth, didn’t we hear about this place winning that foodie award?” She nodded. “It was on TV, I think. It sure isn’t one of those cookie cutter franchises.” Clint tapped on Sebastian’s shoulder from the back seat. “Your friend has goodtaste.”
“Yes. By the way, dinner’s on me. Tonight is my treat, even if I didn’t pick the spot.” It occurred to him that he should explain a few things before they went inside. Clint and Beth didn’t know they were about to meet Alexandra while she was dressed as a guy. He scrambled for the right words to prepare them. “About my friend. There’s something I need to tell you. First of all, when you meet her, please don’tstare.”
Beth and Clint looked at each other, then back at Sebastian. “Of course, we won’t,” Beth answered. “Who would be sorude?”
He could tell they wanted details, but he couldn’t say much more. His eyes darted to Clint, who gave him a reassuring nod. “I guess I didn’t have to say that, did I? I just want you to know in advance. I can’t describe her, other than to say she’s a great looking girl with a lot of personality, once you get past the surface…She might take some getting used to. Just don’t point out that she’s…different from what you expected. I’ll explain everything after you meether.”
Clint guffawed. “More and more, you’re making her sound like a secret agent, Bash. What did I tell you, Beth? She’s some kind of mystery woman. Let’s just get in there so I can see formyself.”
The three of them entered the restaurant, and the anticipation was growing. A hostess smiled pleasantly as they approached. She asked about theirreservation.
“Eva’s table, please,” Sebastian said, to which the young woman nodded and motioned for them to followher.
Soft sounds of a live pianist played in the background. It underscored the hush of conversation from the well-dressed patrons. He scanned the room, appreciating the mellow, yet elegant ambiance. The faint hum of Clint’s electric wheelchair trailed behind him as he looked around for Alex’s familiarface.
They walked past several small round tables and exited through a back door to a cobblestone courtyard with more diners and loungers under the softly lit outdoor area. With each step, his chest tightened, his palms got sweatier, and the nervousness combined with the aroma of rich food almost made his stomachchurn.
Why am I getting workedup?
If anything, Alexandra should benervous.
The hostess gestured to the table, and all the air rushed out of his lungs. It felt like he had been punched in thegut.
“Holy shit,” he said softly. He stepped forward in a slight haze as his vision zoomed in on them, and everything around them seemed to hit a big pausebutton.
Against a dusky twilight sky at a table in front of him was none other than Lexxi Rock. She was seated next to a striking, tanned woman he didn’t immediately recognize because he couldn’t stop staring at Lexxi. Everything about the girl who used to live next door seemed more saturated, richer and more vivid than he remembered. Eyes peered out from her pale, flawless face. Her lips were a pale pink, and the purple hair flowed down her back and around her shoulders, piling into her lap. Her long legs were crossed, and the shapeliness of her calves drew in his stunnedgaze.
Sebastian clutched at hischest.
This cannot be happeningnow.
Beth put a hand on his shoulder. “Are youokay?”
“Lexxi Rock,” Clint said in a calm, hoarsevoice.
Sebastian looked down at him, and Clint looked up. The two nodded in awareness. For Clint, he was meeting his celebrity idol. For Sebastian, this was over thetop.
This isit.
