Page 24 of Torrid Passion
CHAPTER 7
Lochlan
“Had I known the food was this exceptional, I would’ve worn yoga pants instead of this outfit,” Kyla says.
I try, I really try, but my mind returns to the gutter at the images popping up in my head.
“Nonsense,” I tell her. “You didn’t even finish your dessert, young lady.”
“Are you kidding me? I still don’t know how you managed to finish both mountains of cake?”
“You’re a lightweight,” I chuckle.
The meal was spectacular. Then again, it always is. Kyla and I both had the garlic butter skillet filet mignon and shrimp with a heaping side order of frites and aioli—which we both prefer to ketchup. She was totally sold on the orange cake, but when Laurent joked about how the pastry chef woke up on the chocolatey side of the bed this morning, neither of us could resist. The 24-layer chocolate cake was a masterpiece. I ended up finishing Kyla’s. She was done after four bites.
“I was full after the succulent steak, but I just couldn’t live another day without knowing what the 24-layer chocolate cake was all about,” she says.
“You do realize you sound like a screenwriter right now?” I tease.
“Guilty as charged,” she grins proudly.
“So, it’s official, you’re done with school?”
“I graduated! Yeah! No more screenwriting school for this girl!” she says, pointing her index fingers animatedly over her head. “I have a shiny Master of Fine Arts from New York Film Academy. Now, I just have to use it,” she laughs.
“When did you get back to LA?”
“Two months ago. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but who knew I’d have to adjust to living here again?”
“I bet. Two different cities. Two different coasts. Two different vibes.”
“I couldn’t have said it better.”
“Are you living with your parents?”
“God, no. After five years on my own, moving back with them would’ve been like being sent to my room.”
Kyla grew up in Beverly Park—a gated community and the richest neighborhood in LA, if not the country. I’ve been invited to her place many times and words can’t describe the level of opulence.
“Did you buy a place?”
She shakes her head. “Not yet.”
“So where are you staying?”
“Stella and Hayden bought a sprawling custom-built house in Venice late last year. They invited me to stay with them. The guesthouse is mine until I figure out where I want to live.”
“That’s great. They still have that fashion line and those shops?”
“They do. I’m still baffled by their success. One of the reasons they moved to Venice was to be closer to the Red Carpet Ready flagship boutique. Finally, they get to live outside the gates of Beverly Park.”
“Is your outfit one of their creations?”
“No. This is all Miss Kyla O’Keeffe.”
“I won’t repeat how stunning you look or else I’ll sound like a broken record.”
“A girl can never receive too many compliments,” she winks.
