“Yeah. Sorry. I shouldn’t have called. It’s just… I’m at a party and nobody can take me home. But don’t worry, I can call a ride.”
“Text me the location,” Ash said, firm. “I’ll be there.”
Relief loosened my throat. “Thank you.”
Ten minutes later, a sleek black Lexus pulled up to the curb. The passenger door opened, and Ash strode toward me.
I got momentarily distracted by how good he looked—black blazer, dark jeans, cologne that made my stomach clench as he drew closer.
“Hi,” he said.
I fought my nerves. “Hi. Thanks for coming.”
Ash gave me a lopsided smile. “Thanks for calling. Come on.”
His hand brushed the small of my back as he guided me to the car. I slid into the backseat while he took the passenger side.
He murmured something in Spanish too low for me to catch. The driver nodded, then looked over his shoulder.
“I’m Alejandro. Asher’s agent. And friend—sort of.”
His warm tone and friendly smile eased me. “Kaia,” I said, studying him. Gray suit, crisp shirt, styled hair, expensive watch—every bit the businessman.
“Where to?” he asked.
Asher glanced at me. “Where to, peque? Home?”
“Peque.” Alejandro chuckled. “¡Qué bonito es el amor!”
How wonderful love is?What the hell? His grin suggested he was teasing.
Asher groaned. “Ella te entiende, tío.”She understands you, dude.
I understood him, all right. “No pasa nada,” I said.It’s okay.“And yeah, home.”
Alejandro gave me a curious look before starting the car. On the drive, he asked about my Spanish, distracting me from the gnawing ache of Mandy. Our friendship wasn’t just over because she said so—it was over because she took Dean’s side. After years of sarcastic digs, selfishness, and indifference, this was the last straw. The trust was broken.
Half an hour later, Alejandro parked in our driveway.
“Hasta mañana,” he said. “Encantado de conocerte, Kaia.”Nice to have met you, Kaia.
I smiled. “Yo también.”You too.
We stepped out, and Alejandro drove away.
“I’m sorry for ruining your night,” I told Asher as we walked to the door.
“Ruining it?” His brows rose. “You made it a thousand times better.”
I didn’t know what to make of that. Inside, he disappeared into his room while I stalled in the hallway.
Mandy’s betrayal echoed in my head. I’d always thought I could read people, but I hadn’t wanted to believe she was one of the shitty ones. Mom used to say everyone deserved a second chance, but I’d already given Mandy too many, overlooking her sarcasm, her selfishness, her lack of care. Our friendship was one-sided,and I was done.
Sighing, I rubbed my palms over my face. I hardly drank, but tonight I wanted to erase everything, and I knew exactly where Dad kept the liquor.
I opened his office door. The tang of citrus cleaning spray lingered in the air. Switching on the desk lamp, I crossed to the glass-doored bookcase that filled the far wall.
Among rows of books, bottles of expensive liquor glimmered. I knew nothing about good alcohol. The stuff I’d tried at parties was cheap, harsh. I didn’t care. I just needed to forget. These bottles probably cost as much as the second-hand car I desperately needed, but Dad only spent money on what mattered to him.
