Page 22 of Behind the Scenes

Alexis had a plan to handle all of these issues. “Leave that up to me. Just make sure no one knows about the car. And get Carla to come in here. I need to talk to her.”

Taking hold of her hands, Lauren looked into her eyes like she always did when she worried Alexis was about to make a huge mistake. “Are you sure we should do this?”

“Yes. We deserve to have some fun. Real fun and not that supervised bullshit like we’re children. Don’t worry. We’re competent women. All we’re doing is going to the beach. No big deal. You’ll see. It’ll be great fun.”

But Lauren wasn’t convinced. “I don’t want to see you get hurt. Promise me if we get into any trouble that we’ll call Hunter. If you promise me that, I’ll do whatever you want.”

Although Alexis had no intention of calling him about anything, she faked a smile and nodded her agreement to Lauren’s terms. “I promise. But we won’t need to because nothing’s going to happen. We’re just going to enjoy a day at the beach like two friends.”

“Okay, but it’s fall, Alexis. This place isn’t like LA. Isn’t it going to be too cold to go to the beach?”

She had a point. October in New York City had been a little cooler than they were used to, and the weather at Atlantic City probably wouldn’t be any warmer. It didn’t matter, though. They didn’t need to go in the water. She just wanted to enjoy being near the ocean again and out of the house and away from under the watchful eye of everyone.

“We’ll be fine. Just bring a sweater. Now go get Carla for me and find us a driver. But remember, don’t let anyone know what we’re doing. Got it?”

Lauren hesitated for a moment, but Alexis knew she’d agree to whatever she wanted. She never had told her no before. She wasn’t going to start today. Not on something so small.

“Okay. I’ll do it. I just hope we don’t get into trouble.”

As she trotted out into the hallway to find Carla, Alexis thought about how much she hated that she thought they would get into trouble. She was a grown adult, a successful woman with enough money to do anything she wanted in the world. Why should she have to ask anyone for permission to do any damn thing she wanted to do?

A minute later, Carla opened the door a crack and poked her head in. “Lauren said you wanted to see me?”

“Yes! Come in. I want to talk to you,” Alexis said, enthusiastically waving her in.

She stopped at the foot of the bed and meekly smiled. “Is everything okay, Alexis? Did I do something wrong?”

“No, no! Come! Sit down with me. I need your help with something important.”

“Really?” she asked as she sat down on the bed next to her boss.

“I have a very important job for you, Carla. I need you to do exactly as I say, okay?”

Carla’s dark eyes opened wide as she nodded eagerly. “Okay. What do I have to do?”

Alexis took hold of her trembling hands. Giving them a gentle squeeze, she said, “I need you to distract Hunter for me. I want you to find him and keep him busy for as long as you can near your room. He can’t know I’m leaving the house.”

“You’re leaving?” she asked in a voice full of fear.

“It’s okay. I’ll be fine. I’ll have Lauren with me. Now I need you to distract Hunter until at least nine-fifteen and then pretend like I’ve locked myself in my room and won’t come out. Stand outside the door begging me to talk and stuff like that. Make it believable. I’m counting on you, Carla.”

“What if he finds out you’re not really in your room?”

Alexis believed Carla could be trusted, even if she worried about her acting not being good enough to fool Hunter. Reassuring her, she said, “Don’t worry. I just need you to keep him busy and away from this side of the house. After that, it won’t be difficult to convince him I’m in my room. It’s not like he’ll actually check. Got it?”

Carla nodded, although it was obvious she didn’t have any faith in her acting abilities. “Got it.”

“Good. I knew I could count on you. Now remember, go keep him distracted and away from this side of the apartment until at least nine-fifteen.”

“I will. I promise.”

She stood up to leave, but Alexis grabbed her by the wrist. “No matter what, no one is to know I’m gone.”

“Okay. I’ll do my best. Where are you guys going?”

Smiling, Alexis lay back on her pillows. “Atlantic City. I hear they have delicious salt water taffy. I’ll bring you some back.”

“Thank you, Alexis. I won’t let you down. Hunter won’t know a thing.”

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