Page 86 of Nothing to Do

“What does that mean? What exactly is going to happen?”

“Nobody knows,” he said, all ease. “But I invited a few friends.”

Roxie laughed. “Cue another caper. You know we needed you in LA. I always said I didn’t need an entourage, but I might start taking you everywhere I go. I love a man who can’t say no.”

“Any time you call, I’ll be there, Rox Out.”

“These friends you invited,” Roxie said like she knew the answer. “Are they all female?”

Tripp’s already smug expression gained swagger when they hit the sidewalk and a limo door was opened for them. “Could be, Little Rox.” They got in the limo and he immediately poured champagne. “Doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with them too because—”

“What happens in Honolulu stays in Honolulu?” both she and Roxie said together.

He handed each of them a flute. “See how in sync we all are? No cameras in here if you want to get frisky.” Settling back,he pushed out his lower lip. “I can just watch, I don’t even need to be an active participant.”

She shared a smile with Roxie before their three glasses met in a toast. Honolulu. Exotic. Beautiful. Rich. Vibrant… and, she was finding out, maybe a little wild too.

TWENTY-SEVEN

TRIPP TOSSED HER onto the hotel bed.

She landed in a bounce. “Ow! Fuck!”

Crazy. Honestly, what the hell? How was this her life? It was her luck, yeah, but if everything had a meaning, what was fate telling her? Don’t party. Don’t dance. Don’t have fun.

“Don’t think I’ve ever heard you curse,” he said. “My mom would like you.”

“Hush, idiot,” Roxie said, sitting with her to stroke her hair. “Don’t you know how to be gentle with a woman? Go get us some ice.”

Without arguing Tripp disappeared from the bedroom. This wasn’t her room. She didn’t know if it was Roxie’s or Tripp’s, just that it wasn’t hers.

“You didn’t have to come back with me.”

“Of course I did,” Roxie said, slipping off both of their shoes. “You sure you don’t want to go to the hospital?”

“No, I don’t. I really, really don’t. It’s just an ankle sprain, ice, elevation.”

Roxie jumped into action, grabbing pillows to stack them. “Right, the RICE thing.”

In a mutual wince, both women held their breath as Roxie eased her leg up to rest it on the stacked pillows.

“You should go back to the club. Have a good time.”

“This is a good time,” Roxie said and unzipped her dress while disappearing into the closet. “Do you want something else to wear? We can have a sleepover.”

It was after midnight. Way after midnight as far as her internal clock could tell.

“You don’t have to stay with me. I can go back to my—shit.”

Pushing her fists into the bed, her attempt to move clenched her teeth.

Roxie came rushing out in a man’s shirt, other fabric in hand. “Stop it! Stop it!” She set her hands on her hips. “You told me to leave Trevor with Alessia, but if you don’t behave, I’ll bring them both here.” She softened. “Are you sure you don’t want me to call your sister?”

“She’s having the time of her life, no, I don’t want to ruin anyone else’s night.”

“Dyce would—”

“No! Don’t call him either. He’ll worry and blame himself for not being here. No. I’ll be fine in the morning. It’s just a sprain. You and Tripp can go back to—”

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