Chapter 7
“I’m so jealous!” Carmela screamed at her cousin.
“Shhh!” Alex admonished her. They were in a room full of people, and Alex didn’t want her business to be broadcasted.
“I can’t believe you! That’s fantastic, really.”
Alex had already questioned how smart it was to tell the girls about her indiscretions with Grant. She wanted to share with them, to unburden herself and get their opinions on what she did. She should have known that Carmela would be her normal self and be loud.
“I didn’t tell you so you could tell the entire restaurant.” Alex rolled her eyes.
“Why did you decide to do those things?” Hailey asked. She had remained quiet while Carmela had been shouting because she was much more sensitive.
“I don’t even know.” Alex sat back in her chair and looked around. They’d decided to go to a nearby spa as they’d planned, and it was the first night of three. They were in the hotel’s cafe having dinner when Alex decided to share what she’d been up to.
“To get some, obviously.” To Carmela it was easy; cut and dry.
“But in public places? That’s not her style,” Hailey pointed out.
Alex nodded. “It’s not, but he’s just . . .” She couldn’t even describe what she felt about Grant. He was the embodiment of all the in-between feelings that she couldn’t put a name on.
“Hot?” Carmela guessed.
Even she had to admit that it was partly the reason. “Well, yes.” She felt herself blush. “It can’t be just that, though. I acted like a wild woman.”
Hailey grinned. “I mean, if he’s that attractive and he was willing to flip your skirt, then who can blame you?”
“You were horny,” Carmela said before she burst out in laughter.
Alex rolled her eyes again. “You’re gonna make me regret telling y’all.”
“I think it’s great. I can see you being more adventurous, just don’t try to change for him because you’re so sure he doesn’t want a relationship. You deserve more than that.” Hailey took a sip of her drink and looked at Alex over the rim of her glass.
“You’re right.” Alex took a deep breath. “It’s just that he excites me so much. All I can think about is letting him touch me again.”
Carmela turned serious for a minute. “So you go see him again and be smart about it. If you don’t want to be his fuck buddy, you tell him it’s dating or nothing. If he turns you down, he wasn’t right for you in the first place.”
It was harder to hear the truth than she’d expected. “I know you’re right.” Alex rubbed her temples and looked at her cousin. “I’m afraid of his rejection because I really like him.”
“I understand.” Carmela covered Alex’s hand with her own and gave it a squeeze. “I love you, sweetie. I want you to be happy. You’re not the type to be happy with casual sex for long.”
Alex remained quiet and was relieved when Hailey changed the subject. They finished their dinner and went up to the suite they were sharing. They spent the evening watching rom-coms on television and nobody brought up Alex and Grant’s pseudo-relationship again.
The next day they were booked for various services, meeting up in the room at lunch time.
“I feel like a boneless chicken,” Carmela said on a sigh as she plopped into a deck chair on the balcony.
“That was the most amazing massage,” Alex agreed.
“You have to try the hot stone treatment. Holy crap.” Hailey blinked at the mid-afternoon sun. “I don’t feel like moving. We should order room service.”
“That’s the best idea I’ve ever heard.”
Hailey shot a smile at Carmela and shifted on her own lounge chair. “This whole trip was your best idea ever.”
Carmela looked over at Alex, who was leaning back with her eyes closed. “You good, honey?”
Alex hummed. “I’ve never been so relaxed.”
