Cut to the Chase by Lisa Girolami

Author:Lisa Girolami
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781602827837
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2013-02-01T03:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Paige awoke to the squeal and wheeze of the street sweeper outside her apartment. When the quiet returned, recollections of the night before came slowly into focus and then, more clearly, the almost implausible memories of Avalon’s body tangled in hers.

Avalon Randolph. Was it possible?

The weight of a more pressing question, however, fell heavily on her chest. Had it been a one-night stand? When Avalon had driven her home, they’d hugged and Avalon held her for the longest time. And she’d waited until Paige was safely inside her courtyard before driving away. She sighed, knowing she couldn’t draw any conclusions from those gestures.

Her cell phone rang and she grabbed it, hoping it was Avalon.

“What’s this I’m watching on TV, Paige?”

It was her mother. “I don’t know,” she said, rubbing her eyes and not caring to hide the disappointment in her voice.

“On this show about actors and entertainment, you’re going into some club or something with Avalon Randolph. Are you seeing Avalon Randolph?”

“I don’t know if you’d call it that.”

“Well, what is it?”

Why did she need to know? She hadn’t called when her first two books were published, but for this she had to pick up the phone?

“We went out, Mom. Why are you concerned?”

“I’m not concerned. Just surprised, I suppose.”

“Surprised by what?” That a celebrity would be interested in her? That she was on television?

“It just seems a bit salacious.”

There it was. The always-proper mother worried that her daughter would do something to embarrass the highly intellectual and practical family.

“You don’t need to worry about me, Mom.” She wasn’t her mother’s true worry, but maybe a little passive aggression might get across to her.

“That’s not it.”

Or maybe not. Paige sighed. This wasn’t the way she wanted to wake up. “Okay. What bothers you about this?”

“That lifestyle, Paige. We all know what it does to people.”

“And what is that, Mom?” She had no desire to make it easy for her.

“Parties, alcohol, drugs—”

“If I suddenly decide to become a drug addict, I’ll let you know. But for now, I need to get up and get some work done.”

“You’re being flip, aren’t you?”

“I’m telling you not to be upset. I gotta go.”

She said good-bye and rolled out of bed, wincing as she stood. Her hip and groin muscles protested, sending throbbing reminders of their recent workout. It had been a while since she’d enjoyed that kind of exercise, and it was painfully obvious that she’d found herself in more innovative positions than she’d ever known existed.

She felt the weight of no sleep, and it took a few seconds longer to collect her thoughts and figure out what day it was and what she was supposed to do.

A shower and a cup of coffee would help, but before she could make it to the bathroom, her doorbell rang.

“You off today?” Chris walked through the door Paige held open and plopped down on her couch. She was in blue board shorts, a white T-shirt, and flip-flops.

“No, but it looks like you are.”

“I’m here to persuade you to go to Venice Beach.

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