Page 66 of House of Deceit

“I saw that kiss between her and Parker. That was hot and on behalf of all the viewing audience, I thank you,” Lorelei says, jumping straight into the conversation.

The dragon of jealousy within me roars to life at the thought of Parker’s hands on my girl.

“I don’t want to talk about that,” I say through gritted teeth. “Is this really why you called me?”

“I was calling to see if Tank won our bet.” She looks at me with a critical eye as I remember the bet her and my best friend made weeks ago. Shock takes over her face as her eyes go wide, mouth dropping open. “Oh my God! You kissed Charlie, didn’t you?”

Dragging a hand down my face, I blow a raspberry.

“Yes.”

“Babe! He did it!” she calls out to Tank. She turns back to me. “It doesn’t matter that you just cost me fifty bucks, that’s how excited I am.”

My mountain of a best friend pops his head out of the hallway, wet hair half styled.

“I told you he wouldn’t be able to resist once Parker kissed her. Way to go, buddy! I can’t wait to meet her at Christmas.” He disappears once more and Lorelei looks at me.

“You’re not going to meet her!” I call out but he’s already gone.

Groaning, I drop my head down to my desk.

“I fucked it up, Lore.”

“You got jealous, didn’t you? She’s not that cheating twat, Alec.”

“You don’t think I know that?” I snap.

“Don’t you take that tone with me, buster.” In that moment, she sounds just like my father yelling at me from his recliner in the living room.

“Sorry,” I mumble. “And yes, I yelled at her for kissing Parker.”

“Is she dating him for real?”

“No, it’s all for the show.”

I’ve never told Lorelei about the strategy I was using with my contestant before the end of the season, but if I want her help, I have to put it all out on the table. She listens intently as I tell her everything that has happened from the moment I walked into the ballroom at the hotel.

“You need to take her on an apology date,” she says.

“You’re supposed to be helping me out, Lore. She can’t leave the mansion!”

“So do it in the mansion!” she says, mocking my outraged tone. “Show her you care, Alec. I can tell you really care about this girl. Now show her.”

I sit watching Charlie read in the library, thinking about how I would take her on a date. Reading is her favorite thing to pass the time. Sometimes the words make her throw her head back and laugh. I laugh, too, watching her. Other times, I see tears streaming down her face. Those are the ones I mark down the title and read at night in the hotel.

My phone vibrates, pulling my attention away from Charlie. With a heavy sigh, I drop my legs off my desk and stand. The hallways are empty due to the late hour as I go to Sheila’s office. I knock.

“Come in.” I hear through the door, causing me to push open the door and move into the room. “Oh, Alec. Sit down.”

Sheila sits behind a simple desk with two folding chairs in front. She doesn’t have time for people to come and gossip, so her seating arrangements are uncomfortable. Her long nails clack against the keyboard as I sit on the cold metal. She folds her hands in front of her and focuses on me.

“So, I know you have been looking to get onto a different show for a while now,” she says.

“I would like to direct,” I tell her.

“Tom Cochran called me,” she says watching me for my reaction to her mention of one of the most prestigious directors in the business. “After nearly thirty years of making blockbusters, he’s ready to slow down and move to made-for-TV movies. He’d like to talk to you.”

Excitement puts an uncharacteristic smile on my face.

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