Page 50 of Release
Alexandra groaned. “What’s he doing? What did he say?”
“He waved…and now he’s letting in a pretty little redhead.”
That got her attention. “He’s letting someone in? Who?”
“Well, I don’t know her name, Alexandra. Maybe you should call him and ask.”
“Ugh! Just don’t say anything more.”
“Alright—talk to you later, Alexandra.”
“Wait, Dad!”
Her father laughed quietly on the other end of the line, aware of exactly what he was doing. “Yes, Alexandra?”
“Take a picture of Bash and whoever that redhead chick is, and send it to me.”
“What’s wrong with you, child? No, Alexandra, I’m not going to pry into that man’s personal life for you. If you want to know howSebastianis doing or who he’s with, why don’t you give him a call? I still don’t understand why you two aren’t together by now. Must I remind you how much of a godsend he was for you while I was sick?”
“It’s not what you think, Dad…never mind.”
“Oh. Well, if it makes you feel any better, the redhead doesn’t seem to be an overnight guest. She’s leaving and heading back to her car. Oh. Scratch that, she’s going back inside with takeout food bags.”
“Where are you?” she asked, suddenly picturing her father hanging out in the bushes to play spy for her.
“I’m on the porch. Why?”
“Nothing. Don’t tell me anymore. Just…I love you, you know that. Good night, Daddy. Sorry I called this late. Now get some sleep.”
“Nine-fifteen isn’t that late, you know. I’m not that old. I love you, too, honey. Good night.”
Alexandra hung up, and sat in her driveway a few more minutes, contemplating who this redhead was, showing up at Bash’s house. “A new girlfriend already?” she mumbled regretfully. “This quickly?”
I hope she isn’t.
Not that I have any right to hope. I don’t.
She dragged herself out of her car and into her house. “Well, it was bound to happen eventually, Lex,” she said aloud.
Still, that was fast. Everything was fine two days ago, and now he had a date? If he had seen the scandal, it would be reason enough, but gosh, he wouldn’t even take her call to let her explain.
Sighing, she headed upstairs and into her master bathroom to fill the bathtub. She slid her smartphone on the ledge and undressed, ready to let the fragrant bubble bath help her wash it all away. Finally inside the tub, she laid her head back, wishing she could just let it go, but could not stop thinking about Bash and this redhead. It sure explained why he didn’t answer her calls.
Suddenly she just didn’t want to let it go. Letting it go—letting him go—was not on.
Who am I kidding? I want to talk to him and beg him to reconsider.
Finding his number in her call logs, she hit redial and waited, wondering what to tell him if he answered this time.
He took the call! “Hello, Bash?”
There was no response, but someone definitely answered. There was noise on the other end. That was when she made out a woman’s voice in the background, and her ears really perked up.
