Page 14 of Breakaway Heart
“Oh, Luce. I wish I were there with you, but yeah, go for it! I mean, you’re going to hate-fuck Randall Jackson in Mexico, that’s wild!”
“Um, that isnotgoing to happen.”
“Sure it isn’t,” Hannah said back, unconvincingly.
“Ugh. Is it? Is that how this is going to end up?”
“I don’t know for sure, but I’d say…Probably?”
Oh God.Would I do that?The other thing lingering over me was that this was never a good time of year for me and for making good decisions. I had my reasons, and I always needed something to take the edge off when it came around to this time. Would I use Randall for that?CouldI use Randall for that?
“You do you, Lucy. Just be careful.”
“I’m gonna be careful. I’m just going to give him, sort of, a dating lesson, I guess.”
“Yeah. That’s definitely not going to lead to anything… Seriously, if you’re trying to help RandallfuckingJackson, just remember what they say… Don’t get in the mud to wrestle with pigs. You’ll both get covered in shit, but the pig will actually enjoy it.”
“Ughhh, you might be right.”
Hannah oinked her agreement back down the phone.
“Oh, while I’m being clever, I’ve got another one! When you get it in, pretend you’re disabled so we can stay here.”
“Oh my God, Han, that’s the worst one yet!”
Twelve hours ago, I was ready to go and lie face down in the pool, just like Bernardo Paredes had. Now I’d run into TV’s worst nightmare, and suddenly I was going over to his for a dinner date.
Okay,nota date. A dinner fake.Lucy Heaton, Love Guru to the stars.Even the fallen ones.Of course, I didn’t believe that any of this was going to work out particularly well, or that Randall Jackson was about to be reformed by me, or anyone, for that matter. But heck, it was strangely exciting after the last week of living like a shadow out here. And it also helped take my mind off what was coming in just a few days.
What to wear was a slight issue. On the one hand, I wanted to look fucking incredible. But on the other, I didn’t want him to think I was fuckable.
“Red dress, you’re gorgeous, but you’re out. Black dress, not a chance. Heels, yes! But the strappy ones, not you lovely sleek cream ones that make me feel like I’m wobbling around on stilts.”
By the time I was ready, I looked more suited to a business meeting.Good. Professional. That’s what you want, Lucy.
Leon was behind the reception and waved at me as I walked out of the hotel.
“You’re going out! Did you meet someone?” Then he looked at my attire. “Or perhaps you have a job interview?”
I just smiled back and said mysteriously, “Maybe”, before sliding into the car.
Oh yes, Leon. I met every girl’s worst nightmare, and now I was going to his for a private dinner.I winced at the idea and tried to put the reality out of my head.
7
LOVE GURU
The villa Randall was hiding in was set back along a winding private road that was a million miles from prying eyes. As the car got further down the driveway, a perfectly white, elegant, modern villa emerged, complete with an enticing pool that sparkled like a crystal sapphire, with orange hues from the falling sunset streaked and rippling across its surface.
Nerves rattled in my stomach as the car slowed down and we pulled up outside. I was very uncertain what to expect from this evening. Taking a calming breath, I stepped out, strolled up to the front door, and pushed the doorbell. I was just considering how this might be the biggest mistake of my life, and that I could still turn back, when Randall flung the door open.
“Hey,” I said with a light smile, leveling my eyes at him.
“Well, come on in, babe! Randy’s got sauces that are going to make you wild.”
“Yeah, so that…” As I stepped inside, a thick aroma hit me, and my words faded away.
My whole body froze with delight. I felt my eyes softenand close as my nose took another deep, heavenly breath. My arms dropped to my side in submission at the sensation, while inside my mouth, my saliva glands opened. I was very close to letting out an “mmm” noise from my lips when I regained my senses and opened my eyes.
