24 Hours of Trouble by Elise Noble

Author:Elise Noble [Noble, Elise]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Elise Noble

CHAPTER 19

ONCE I’D GOT back into my casual clothes, I went outside to watch a little of Lexi’s photoshoot with Ishmael. As well as some beautiful gowns, she ended up wearing one dress that closely resembled a parrot and another designed to look like it was upside down.

“I’m having gymnasts for my next runway show,” he told me. “I want them walking on their hands.”

“But surely people won’t wear the dresses like that?”

“Of course not. I don’t care if I sell those crazy outfits or not. I just want the column inches so people see my proper clothes, love them, then buy them.”

Underneath all the pink sparkles, it seemed there was a businessman lurking, and after I’d got over his initial bluntness, he wasn’t a bad guy.

“Brandon and I are going out clubbing with Ishmael tonight,” Lexi said as she tried to rub away some of the glitter that was stubbornly clinging to her skin. “Do you want to come?”

The nosey part of me was fascinated to see what a night out with those three would be like. No doubt it would involve copious amounts of alcohol, and more than likely the gossip pages too. But I couldn’t afford to appear in those. It was with some disappointment that I declined.

“Maybe another time, if this mess ever blows over.”

“I’m gonna hold you to that,” she said as she shimmied into a silver garment that I was sure should have a pair of trousers with it. She put on a pair of stilettos and sorted out her hair before declaring herself ready. Oh, apparently it was a dress, then.

Lexi’s night out meant that when I rode back with Blake, it was to an empty house. My footsteps echoed on the flagstones as I walked into the kitchen. I’d never noticed that before, but in the still air, it was like I had baby thunderclaps following me.

“You could have gone out with them if you wanted to,” I said to him. “I wouldn’t have minded.”

“Nah. I’ve sworn off drinking until after the race, and it’s no fun being the only sober one.”

“Shall I make dinner?”

“I can help.”

I’d been hoping he’d leave me to it, but I should have known he wouldn’t. It was one of those rare moments I longed for Antonio’s apathy, but instead I got Blake, filling every nook and cranny of the kitchen with his presence.

“You seem nervous,” he said.

“I am, a little.”

There was no point in lying. I just wasn’t going to admit I was nervous about being with him rather than because of Antonio.

“Why don’t we take your mind off things?”

In what way? Surely not that private show he’d promised earlier?

“How?” I asked, a touch breathlessly.

“This place has all the movie channels, and there’s popcorn in the cupboard. I thought we could watch a film.”

“Oh.” Was that it? I didn’t know whether to feel pleased or disappointed.

“You don’t sound very enthused.”

I tried to inject some false cheer into my voice. “No, a movie’s great, honestly.”

In truth, I barely watched what was happening on screen.

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