There has to be another way.
Though why rock the boat and jeopardise everything when Chloe made it clear this is only going to be a short-term fling?
Gareth nudges me. We’re sitting at the bar where he’s watching all the women with the keenness of a hawk hovering above a hapless rabbit. ‘Five o’clock, pink dress,’ he says.
From the devilish dart of his eyes, he’s made his choice for tonight. Clearly, he hasn’t worked up the balls to ask out Kim yet.
Normally I’d be right with him, scanning the crowd for my next conquest.
Tonight, all I want to do is curl up in my bed, inhale the pillow that Chloe’s head rested on, and soak in the smell of her exotic shampoo.
Holy fuck, if anyone could see me now. I’m a mess. And these strange and unnerving feelings only seem to grow stronger every time we’re together.
Maybe we could push out the end date? If we let it run on further, perhaps it’ll eventually burn itself out.
Who am I kidding? The longer we let this thing run, the deeper I’m going to fall for her. I should stop it right now, but I’m not strong enough.
Like an addict, I keep promising I’ll give up tomorrow. But tomorrow never comes.
There’s not a woman in this entire bar who can hold a match to Chloe Sexton.
Across the room, a couple perch on high chrome stools, each clutching a glass of white wine. She’s typical LA. Immaculate blonde highlights cut in a stylish bob, with a forehead too tight and bright to reveal any sign of ageing, although the weathered skin of her hands doesn’t lie. She has to be mid-fifties.
He’s tanned with an athletic build, like most people in this city. A slight paunch punctuates his middle, but otherwise he looks in good shape. His dark hair’s peppered grey, the same shade as his high-end designer suit. Sharp and successful, they reek of old money. But the sharpest thing is his glare, which is aimed directly at me.
I recognise them, but it takes me a minute to place them. He’s a politician. She’s a former model. I remember now, I auditioned their daughter. She’d been hyped up as the next Brittney. Sadly, it was a waste of both of our time.
Johnson. Chardonnay Johnson. That was her name. I haven’t thought about her since, but the way her parents are glaring across the bar, they clearly haven’t forgotten. This is the type of Hollywood politics I can’t stand.
‘You ok, man?’ Gareth taps my shoulder.
‘Just a bit distracted with work.’ I take a mouthful of whiskey, revelling in the burn in my throat.
Gareth gives me a knowing look. ‘Come on, buddy. I’ve known you long enough to know you’re putting on a show.’
‘This is Hollywood. Everyone’s an actor here.’ I raise my glass to clink against his.
‘What’s her name?’
My head snaps up and my heart quickens in my chest. ‘Who’s name?’
‘The woman who’s been occupying your thoughts all night. Who is she? She must be something really special to have your shoulders slumping into your shot glass.’ He grins and pokes me with his index finger.
There’s no point lying. Gareth knows me almost as well as my brother. A weighted sigh slips from my lips and my shoulders sag. It’s actually a relief to admit it to someone who won’t murder me for overstepping a line. ‘How did you know?’
He snorts and shakes his head. ‘You haven’t so much as looked at a woman since we got here.’
‘I don’t even have the energy to deny it.’ I take another sip of my drink. ‘For the first time in my life, I think I’ve found someone special, although the timing couldn’t be any worse.’
Gareth sits straighter in his chair, closing the distance between us. ‘So who is she, this mystery woman?’
‘Someone I can’t have, for a million reasons.’
‘Ah, I see.’ He cocks his head, tapping his finger on the side of his glass. ‘Are you sure that’s not the whole appeal? Jayden Cooper finally finds a woman who says no to him. This must be a first. No wonder you don’t like it.’
A smirk lifts my lips as an image of us in bed invades my brain. ‘She didn’t say no exactly.’
‘Uh-oh. How long exactly has this been going on?’
