Page 39 of Get Lost

Nessa elbowed him.

“Oof, baby…”—he kissed the top of her head—“you know I’m only kidding.”

“Kelsey’s not.”

Kelsey flashed a playful smile. Nessa wasn’t wrong.

Lucky laughed, then disappeared back into the apartment. “I’ll start the potatoes.”

“I love that your boyfriend cooks for us.”

Nessa raised her eyebrows.“Focus, Kelsey.”

“Okay, come sit down.” Kelsey sat on the bed and patted a place beside her.

“I need to be sitting down for this?” Nessa eyed her warily.

“I need a favor. A really big favor, Ness.”

Nessa’s brows furrowed and she searched Kelsey’s gaze, then strode into the room to sit beside her with a loud sigh. “What’s wrong? You’re acting weird.”

“Reagan can’t go to Barbados.”

Nessa’s eyes widened. “Seriously? She just told you that? You guys leave tomorrow.”

“Well, one of us guys.” Kelsey frowned, pushing out her pout a little extra for the sympathy factor. “Her passport didn’t arrive in time.”

Nessa’s face fell. “You’re kidding.”

Breathing deeply, Kelsey shook her head. This was it, the moment of truth. Would Nessa save her ass?

Searching her gaze, Nessa asked softly, “What are you going to do, Kels…” Her words trailed off and her eyes widened with realization, then her shoulders fell. “Oh.” She shook her head. “No way. You can’t be serious.”

Kelsey grinned. “Three words for you, NessaBear:Bar. Ba. Dos.”

“One word for you, KelseyBear: No.” Nessa shook her head. “No way. There’s no way I can do that.”

“Come on, dude, please? I need you. And you’re way better than Reagan.”

Nessa laughed. “At what? Flying by the seat of my pants? I can’t just up and leave for Barbados tomorrow—”

“Why not?”

“Um…” Nessa raised her hand and counted off on her fingers. “Well, for one thing, work. I have a job, remember?”

Kelsey dismissed the notion with a flick of her wrist. “I’ll get Reagan to guest spot at the Peacock.”

Nessa frowned. “Why would she do that?”

“I mean… because she owes me?”

Nessa pondered this for a second, then nodded. “True. And my boss? Why would he agree to this?”

“Because he loves you. And me. You know Zack loves me.” Kelsey didn’t finish the sentence witheverybody loves mebecause she didn’t have to. This fact was common knowledge.“Plus, Reagan draws a crowd. It’ll be good for business.” The chick looked like Ruby Rose and Lisa Ling had a baby, then covered it inreallygood-looking traditional tattoos.

Nessa’s eyes narrowed, then she looked at her fingers still up in the air between them. She’d only ticked off one so far, so Kelsey raised her eyebrows.

“Okay, and… two… the plane ticket isn’t even in my name.”