65Please respect copyright.PENANASde1DnQCoO
Laura 65Please respect copyright.PENANAKD1uyOfkYg
Savage Paradise was less exciting since Rex ruined my mood. I was carelessly stirring my watered-down Blue Hawaiian. “Why would he come back now after all this time?” I glanced at Stacie. “I’m trying to figure that out, but it doesn’t make sense. Maybe he’s visiting family again.”
“I don’t think Rex is passing through,” Stacie relaxed on her stool. You saw how everyone reacted to him. I could be wrong, but I think he’s the owner.”
“That would be my luck. Wouldn’t it?” I shook my head. “Rex changed his number after he left. I need answers,” I mumbled the last sentence to myself but Stacie heard it.
“Do you really want to risk it?” she asked. “Rex didn’t look happy to see you.”
“Why should I care about his feelings? I wanted to be over him, but I’m not, so seeing him made it worse.”
Stacie groaned, “I love it here, but I love you more. We’ll be banned after this but to hell with it. How will you get his attention?”
I was about to respond when Theo stepped into view.
I didn’t want to be rude, but I kept looking at him.
“Who is that?” Stacie sipped her drink but didn’t take her eyes off him.
“He and Rex are friends.”
“Why haven’t I been introduced?” she shook her head. “Forget it. We shouldn’t hook up since you and Rex are on the outs, but what’s his name?”
“Theo,” I replied.
“Oh, that’s a nice strong name. I’ll call him Teddy,” Stacie sighed, “He’s all man.”
I was upset but managed a shaky smile, “I don’t care if you want Theo, but you’re here with Liam.”
Stacie glanced around. “Do you see him? I don’t. Liam is probably into mischief, knowing him. He’ll text at some point or call tomorrow.”
I stared at her. “I don’t know what to say.”
She shrugged, “We’re casual. It works for us.”
“Okay. How interested are you in Theo?”
“Why? Will I like what you’re about to say?”
“Probably. I don’t know where Rex went, but Theo is watching the hall to our left.”
Stacie sipped her drink and glanced in that direction. “Yeah, he is. Will I be the distraction? Say yes. I want to see him up close.”
“You are, but Theo might not like you afterward.”
“He will love me or lust after me. Either one works,” she drained her glass. What’s the plan?”
I eased off my stool, “We should come in from the garden entrance. It’ll look less suspicious.”
“Since when do you stalk men? And why on earth did you keep this from me?” Stacie finished her drink. “I can’t wait to see how this turns out.”
We left the bar and went down the stone steps.
“It’s beautiful out here,” Stacie sighed. “You’re upset. Are you ready to see Rex?”
“I’m not sure, but he probably won’t talk to me. I feel like this is something I need to do, but you don’t have to pull this crazy stunt too.”
Stacie glanced at me, “Why would I stay out of it? We’re trying to stalk the man you love. This is great.”
We stop talking when a couple stumbled out of the brush. We walked past them and into the garden area.
I looked up at the glass panes. “I don’t see a balcony or deck, so his office has to be along that hall. We’ll use this entrance.”
“Okay,” Stacie lowered her voice as people walked past. “What will you say to him?”
“I didn’t think too far ahead,” I whispered.
Stacie didn’t comment. She knew how emotional and impulsive I could be.
We walked in through the entrance, passed the first hall, and took the second one. I kept looking around, worried we’d be stopped at any moment.
Some of the doors were labeled. Others weren’t, so I didn’t want to risk knocking on the wrong door. One looked promising. I decided against it and kept going. Theo was waiting around the corner.
“It’s good to see you,” his smile was sincere.
“You too. Is Rex around? I need to speak with him.”
Theo glanced at his phone. “It’s not a good time. Stop by tomorrow night. He’ll be available then.”
My cheeks flushed in embarrassment. Theo was being polite because Rex didn’t want to see me. Tomorrow would be the same. I tried not to let my feelings show.
“Can you please tell him I’m out here?”
“I did,” Theo didn’t say anything.
I didn’t have it in me to scream and make a scene.
Stacie stepped closer. “Hi, can I call you Teddy?”
He stared at her. “There’s not much I haven’t heard. So if you can get to it, that’ll be great.”
Stacie didn’t back off. “You’re direct. I like that. Here’s the thing, Laura needs to see Rex tonight. It’ll be two minutes at the most.”
Theo ignored her, “Laura, talk sense into your friend.”
“Oh, he’s saying I’m crazy,” Stacie glanced at me. “That’s good because I’m going to do a strip tease since I’m not wanted around here,” she turned to leave.
Theo blocked her path. Stacie looked up at him, “Get out of my way big boy. I’m getting wild on the beach.”
Theo growled out a response. Stacie tried going around him. He was distracted. I hurried into the office and closed the door.
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