Page 52 of Infinite

“Why not?” Hale says.

He sounds distracted. Maybe worried. Neesa called shortly after we were done. He disappeared into the walk-in closet to dress and speak with her. Whatever it is, I’ll help him through it. I’ll do anything to help us grow closer.

I cuss when it takes me a moment to buckle my belt. Why can’t I stop my hands from shaking?

“It’s the one of you sitting on the beach in your suit. The black one,” Tootles continues. Unlike me, he’s very much in control. “The linen was okay, but not Vogue or Forbes. Do you want to know which one I’m talking about? Your feet were partially buried in the sand. Your tie was loose and the top two buttons of your shirt were open. You couldn’t see what I saw, but I know you’ll just love it.”

Hale chuckles. “If you say so.”

“I think the open bottle of champagne sticking out of the sand was a nice touch and your head bowed was fabulous. No matter what, I’ve got you. Becca and I will take care of you.”

I shove my feet into one of my shoes, waiting for Hale to say something that will give me a better indication of his mood.

“But my favorite shots weren’t of the beach. Oh, no, no, no,” Tootles says. “Those shots with you and Becca were more D&G and Calvin Klein. Racy,sexy. I loved every minute of it.”

I push my foot into the other shoe. I loved every minute of Hale and me, too. Even the scary one when I first approached him.

My phone rings where I tossed it on the bed. I’ve taken two calls since I ran in here but ignored the last few texts. Four were from my fake-ex Denver telling me to call him. One was from Mr. Singleton demanding to know where I am. It’s only because I see Trin’s bright smile flash across the screen that I answer.

“Hello?”

“Hey,” she says brightly. “How’s it going?”

“I got naked with Hale and made out with him on the bed while a photographer captured every pornographic and sinful second on camera.”

A dramatic pause follows. I fall onto the bed, waiting for the response I expect.

“You showed Hale your titties?”

Yup. That was more or less the one.

“Not exactly,” I reply.

“Were you naked or not?” she demands. “You said you were naked. Are you now taking it all back? You can’t take something like that back without telling me to sit down or something.”

“Fine. Sit down or something.”

“Becca!”

I kick my feet, all the nervous energy I have left in my hands streaming downward. “Look. It wasn’t something we’d planned. Maybe.”

“Maybe? You said you were doing a photo shoot for a magazine. I was picturing Better Homes and Gardens not Maxim meets Big ‘Uns.”

“Um,” I offer.

“Callahan,” she calls. “Can you take the baby? . . . What? . . . Oh, I’m fine. Becca was just in bed naked with Hale . . . of course, I’m serious . . . yeah, I saw it coming, too . . . mmm-hmm, no surprise there . . . What? . . . No, I won’t mind my own business. I’ve been waiting years for this . . . fine . . .fine. I’ll leave her alone after she finishes giving me all the details. Something about midget wrestlers body slamming each other during all their nakedness. There was also some kind of circus fellow, twirling fire or something . . . what? . . . Callahan Sawyer, I donotsound crazy . . . those were her exact words . . . no,no. . . that’s a lie. I’ve never exaggerated the truth in my whole life . . . I can prove it . . . some other guy took pictures and everything.”

I drape an arm across my eyes. “Trin,” I groan.

“One minute, Becks, just turning the baby over so you can tell me every last dirty and disgusting detail surrounding your sordid afternoon. But before we get started, were there pirates involved or any kinky stuff involving swings and chandeliers? That sort of thing is personal and I wouldn’t want to invade your privacy like that.” She pauses. “Unless you want me to.”

“Run for your life, Becca,” Callahan yells in the background. “Go someplace where they don’t have phones or Trins.”

“Well, that doesn’t sound like a very fun place,” Trin adds. “Go, ahead, Becca. I’m all ears.”

“Hold on,” I whisper, covering the speaker when I hear my name.

“Seriously,” Tootles says. “You and Becca should consider modeling for fragrances, clothing, anything sexy. I’ll shoot you myself.”

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