Page 133 of Reel Love

“I’m just …” She takes a deep breath and exhales it slowly. “Doing damage control.”

“Damage control?”

“A photo leaked to the press of a man entering your property. One headline says. ‘Who Is This Man Entering Alana Graves’ Condo?’ The article goes on to say that he went in but was not seen leaving. Another article says, ‘Is There Trouble So Soon in Paradise?’ and it goes on to describe you cheating on Rex with a mystery man.”

Crud.

“What’s going on, Alana? Did you have a gentleman in your condo?”

As if women all around LA aren’t having their boyfriends over. Why does this have to be newsworthy? We ate a meal, talked, read books together, talked some more. Slept in separate rooms. This is not news. And yet, it is.

I sigh. “You know how the press is.”

“Is there something I should know?”

I hedge. “Not that I know of.”

There’s a knock at the door. It’s Stevens. He called to ask if he could bring me lunch before his afternoon tour.

“Mom, I’ve got to go.”

“Is it that yoga instructor?”

I open the door and look Stevens right in the eyes. “Yes. It’s my yoga instructor.”

He strikes a pose on my porch. Then another. I try to hold in my laugh. He strikes another pose and I can’t.

“What’s funny, dear?”

“Nothing, Mom. I was just thinking of his costume.”

“That was not funny, darling. That was mortifying.”

“Not for you. You weren’t the one dressed like a fish among a bunch of people in tuxes and formal gowns.” I stare him in the eyes and smile. “I think he handled himself beautifully, considering.”

He bows.

“Well, I think grown men should act like grown men. But you always did have a softer heart than I do. And I love that about you, dear.”

“Thank you, Mother. I’ll talk with you later.”

“Call Caroline!” she shouts as I click the end call button.

Stevens holds out one of the two paper bags in his hand. “I brought salad—to please the diet police in your life.”

He bends down toward my porch and grabs something just outside the doorway.

“But Brigitte did tell me to get you pizza. And I need to stay in her good graces, soooo …”

He presents the pizza box to me. “It has vegetables, if that helps.”

“It totally helps.”

“And there are cookies in here.” He holds up the other paper bag. “... which I’ll gladly take back to the watersports shack if they go against whatever strict code you follow to make sure you remain gown-ready.”

I giggle. He’s so adorable.

“I’m having a cookie,” I declare. “Just try and stop me.”

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