Geez.
Brooke extracted a key from the pocket of her tight jeans and opened the door. “You worked late on set? Really? What were you doing?”
Alice knew she was turning fifty shades of red. Play it cool. “I was helping Niko make candy.” Until he kissed me, and then I went to his apartment and slept with him. Her entire body hummed at the memory. If it weren’t for the donor program call, she would have pushed work in lieu of more time in bed with Niko.
“You were making candy? Did you have an allergic reaction to the candy? Because you either have a rash or beard burn.”
“I have an important call coming in.” Alice ignored the loaded question and gripped her phone. She needed to get rid of Brooke and soon or risk exposure over more than the call. Brooke had always been too observant. She might come across as flighty but her little sister was astute beyond her years.
“Fess up, Alice.”
Brooke tried to follow her into the office but Alice blocked the entrance to the door. She didn’t want to talk about Niko or to put too much thought into the fragile bond that was building between them. She’d broken off her engagement the week before yet it felt like a million years ago. Richard had faded into the background and existed in another life. Her true reality.
Her phone rang, her heart skipping a beat. “I have to get this, so please, thirty minutes of peace.” She shut the door to the office and rested her back against it. “Hello, this is Alice.”
“Miss Carlson, good morning,” the donor representative greeted. “I received your email and yes, everything is going well. Many of our donors are anxious about the process. I can assure you the patient is in good condition.”
“Can you provide me with a schedule for the rest of the tests? I travel a lot and I need to make sure my schedule is open.” If only Mitchell hadn’t pushed this special to Christmas and not Easter. She should have stood up to him and insisted. But then she wouldn’t have been able to meet Niko or Chloe sooner.
Selfish.
After a few more questions, Alice hung up. Stifling a yawn, she exited the office and entered the kitchen. Brooke leaned against the breakfast bar, a cup of coffee in her hand and a resolute smile on her lips. She said nothing but Alice read the determination in her eyes. Stubbornness rested there; a trait that had driven her younger self insane.
The heat shot up Alice’s neck and she glared at Brooke. Brat. “Fine, I spent the night with Niko. Are you happy?”
“Yes. He’s fucking hot. Kind of old for me but shit. If he didn’t look at you like a starving man eyeing his last meal, I’d have gone for it, but…” she shrugged.
“Yeah, because thirty-one is so old.” At twenty-three, everybody seemed old to her sister. “It’s complicated. I don’t even know why or if it’ll happen again, I mean, we had a few shots and, well, things happened.”
Brooke pressed her lips together, all traces of amusement gone. “Don’t overthink this. You had a great night, or so I’m guessing from the bra that’s still hanging out of your pocket. Like I said, he’s a nice-looking guy, really kind, and definitely not boring. I mean, how many women dream about a guy defending them like he did with Beau?”
Alice’s jaw tightened and she clenched her hands, still annoyed despite Niko’s apology. No, not an apology. He’d simply said he didn’t like bullies. And then he’d flattered you and you caved. “I could have handled Beau on my own. I didn’t need Niko’s help. Nor any man’s help for that matter.”
“No, you didn’t. But it was nice that he offered it.”
“Do I smell coffee?” Grace asked, rubbing a hand across her sleep-filled eyes.
“Yes, I made it just like you like it, strong,” Brooke said.
“Another all-nighter, Brooke? I don’t know how you do it.” Grace poured herself a cup and added cream, her spoon tinkling against the side of the ceramic.
“I’m not the only one getting home. You missed Alice’s walk of shame.”
Grace turned interested eyes to Alice who lowered her lashes. Sometimes she wanted to punch her little sister. Not that she ever would, but it was a tempting notion.
“The walk of shame. Interesting. Sounds like someone took my advice.”
Brooke opened the refrigerator door and pulled out bagels. Tossing them on the countertop, she retrieved a container of cream cheese. “I’d ask you to kiss and tell but I’d like to believe he lived up to the hype. The tattoo pics of him in his underwear that I leaked are trending on social media.”
“You leaked nude photos of Niko on social media? Why would you do that?” A deep feeling of dread twisted her stomach. Brooke had been in charge of the social media for the show—a role she’d excelled at—and one Mitchell had encouraged. Mitchell. Alice had forwarded footage to him but she must have sent him the wrong file.
“Semi-nude. Mitchell had me post them last night. He didn’t tell you?”
She gritted her teeth and tried to hold back the panic. “Pull it, now.”
Oh my God, what would he say when he saw the pictures? She’d had a mind-blowing night with Niko and now she had to explain why nude photos of him were leaked on social media. Photos that she should have deleted while she had the chance instead of acting like some sex-deprived voyeur.
Ironic since you were sex-deprived.
