“Okay. Give me a minute, then bring her in.” Alexandra stepped into her private powder room and got herself together.
Returning to her desk, she pulled up the file that Human Resources had emailed to her a few days earlier. She needed to have some background on the candidate who could turn out to be in the top operations spot here at Purple Blaze. Alexandra would still maintain the CEO position, but with Ladonna Johnson potentially handling the day to day management of the company, the very idea felt like a weight off of her shoulders.
At the knock on her door, she ran a hand down her shirt and took a calming breath. “Come on in.”
Rick breezed back into her office, followed by the woman who stretched out a hand for a handshake.
“Hello, how are you?” Ladonna Johnson greeted her. The attractive middle-aged woman with blonde hair and watery blue eyes flashed a brilliant smile and a confident disposition. Half-rising, Alexandra shook her hand and then gestured for them both to have a seat.
“Are you ready for this?” Rick asked Ladonna with a grin.
“I can show you better than I can tell you,” she answered.
Alexandra took a minute to look her over, and right away decided she liked her. The two of them took some time getting to know more about their top candidate’s background, and discovered she had a lot of relevant experience in the industry.
“I don’t want this label to run like it did in the past,” Alexandra pointed out after they had talked shop for almost an hour. “I took over Blaze Entertainment because, as an artist, I got sick of feeling like I had the least amount of say in my career and livelihood. Now that I’m at the helm of Purple Blaze, I want to take us in a different direction. What I need is someone to handle the operations, with Rick as the senior advisor. It would leave me with enough time to focus on strategy, artist development and my own work, at least for a year or two.”
“That is not a problem. I love the direction you’re taking. I’ve been through two of these types of transformation projects with my current employer, so I’d like to think I’m solutions-oriented, rather than the woman with the red pen. I’m not here to see what’s wrong. I’m here to help you keep doing what’s right.”
Alexandra looked over at Rick, who was now nodding energetically. “Honestly, if you can do that, you’d be perfect. I have more than I bargained for on my plate right now.”
“I’ll do everything in my power if given the chance,” Ladonna assured them.
“Great.”
“Lexxi,” Rick piped up. “What are you waiting for? Hire the woman.”
Smiling, Alexandra nodded. “Fine. You’re hired. Rick will take care of contracts and such. How much notice do you need for your current job?”
“Three or four weeks, but they’re a good shop. If you’re okay with it, I can start getting oriented next week while I begin to do handoffs over there.”
“That’s perfectly fine with me.” Alexandra turned to Rick. “You’ll get her up to speed, right? I’d help out, but with the tour coming, and all that’s going on outside of work—”
“Say no more, Lexxi,” Rick replied. “Consider it done. I’ll see her out.”
“Great. Thanks Rick. Welcome aboard, Ladonna.”
“Thanks for the opportunity, Miss Storme. Take care of yourself.”
Rick was a little more flirtatious and bubbly around Ladonna, which made her slightly concerned, considering that he was supposedly happily married. She immediately relaxed when she heard Rick mention to the woman that his wife’s brother was single.
“Don’t let him be your matchmaker!” Alexandra teased as they walked out of her office.
After they left, she snatched up her phone to try Bash’s number again. She refused to overthink it. She needed to reach him, even if he was clearly ignoring her calls. Like this time. It went right to voicemail. Again.
“Oh, come one,” she grumbled, hanging up without leaving a message. Trying not to let it get to her, she found her father’s number to give him a heads up about the VIP passes. She grabbed her purse to head out of the office. Eva would be at her house by nine, so there was just enough time to get in and have a long bath.
Dad’s phone rang as she made her way to her car.
“How’s my budding mogul?” he answered.
“Hey, Daddy.”
“How’s it going?”
She closed her car door and started the engine, resting the phone in the cradle that connected it to her car speakers. “Good. Remember I told you I want you and Rosa front and center for at least one stop on the tour? Well, I got you VIP passes. I’m having them sent out to you, okay?”
“Hmm, that sounds great dear. You do know Rosa and I would prefer to just have dinner with you here at the house, right?”
“Yes, Dad. I know,” she told him, driving out of her building parking lot. “You and Rosa don’t want to hang out with a bunch of crazy, screaming fans and hear deafening music. Still, you can come backstage and give me a hug for good luck.”
“You don’t need luck, honey. You love it up on stage. You were born to rock.”
“Awww.”
“So,” Dad paused for a long beat. “Is there anyone else I should let know to keep an eye on his mail? I’m outside right now…and…yes, as a matter of fact he’s just opening his front door. You called just in time. Hello, Sullivan boy!” he called out loudly.
Alexandra cringed. “Dad! Stop it. First of all, his name isn’t Sullivan boy. It’s Sebastian. And second, don’t call him. I need to speak to him when he’s got time for me.”
“I’m just saying hello. Can’t a man greet his neighbor?”
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 how Sebastian is 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.
Chapter 20
SEBASTIAN knew this was a mistake the second Kennedy walked in the door with Chinese food takeout. He wasn’t even hungry. He sat in the kitchen with her, letting her eat, sitting quietly as she gushed about her day, her new cat, and her most worrisome patient at the clinic. Music wafted in from the living room sound system, and after listening to her for nearly fifteen minutes, he was mentally checked out and still wondering how Alexandra could have done this to him.
Inviting Kennedy over was not the best idea he had come up with lately. Getting laid by his physiotherapist was not going to change what he felt. It seemed like the thing to do at the time, in the heat of his anger, but now, he was just not in that headspace anymore.
As he watched her take another mouthful between almost continuous rambling, he made up his mind. Alexandra owed him an explanation. He didn’t care if she was back in the arms of that cowboy and wasn’t coming back to him. He had just bought his ticket to go see her, and had planned to fit in some time to see his brother while he was there. Now what was he supposed to do?
“Everything okay, Bash?”
He pulled himself partially back into the moment. “Sorry, Kennedy. This was not a good idea.”
She stopped chewing. “What? Chinese food?”
“No, you coming over. I’m sorry.”
“Why?”
“I just need you to leave.”
“So soon? You know the look on your face isn’t so convincing.” She laughed a little, clueless that the look on his face had nothing to do with her and everything to do with how much of an idiot he had been for inviting her over in the first place.
What the hell was I thinking?
Inviting sketchy women over was not going to help him figure out what went wrong with Alexandra. If anything, this dumb move made him think about her more. This approach didn’t work when Aileen had plunged a husband-sized dagger through his heart, and now he knew that was child’s play. He didn’t even love Aileen. He thought he did, but clearly he was wrong.
“So, you want to tell me about her?” Kennedy’s voice breached his thoughts again, throwing him off-guard.
“Excuse me?”
She smiled and stood up. “You’ve been a million miles away since I walked in here. I’ve been talking, trying to keep the conversation going, but I’ve kind of run out of things to say. Maybe you can tell me about her.”
“I’m sorry. Here, I’ll walk you out.”
Kennedy shook her head, irritated. “Fine. Let me get my things in the living room.” She walked across the hall, but instead of picking up her bag on the sofa, she planted herself next to it. Smiling seductively, she asked, “Sebastian Sullivan, are you sure you don’t want to show me that move that you do?”
“Kennedy. You need to leave.” He picked up her handbag and held it out to her. “Now.”
“I can stay the night if you want me to, Bash. All you have to do is ask. Remember how much fun we had the last time?” As she stood up to reach for her bag, she flipped her hair back and looked down at something in the seat. “Oh, look—I must have sat on your phone.”
“Hand it over.” Sebastian took the phone from Kennedy and realized the line was open. He recognized the number on the screen.
Alexandra.
“Oh, shit.”
He placed it to his ear. All he heard was ragged breathing, like she was close to tears or already crying. A sinking feeling grew in the pit of his stomach. “Hello? Who is this?” he asked, already knowing full well who it was.
After a few moments of silence, Alexandra answered, “Um. Hi Bash.” Her voice was strained, but still made him regretful. There was regret, and something he couldn’t explain. “I was calling to see if we could talk. Sounds like I wasn’t that big of a deal to you.”
His mouth went dry. “Alexandra. Wait. Hold on.” Placing the phone on mute, he pointed to the door to get Kennedy to leave.
Kennedy sported an angry pout and left for the front door as he stood there, holding the phone, positive the worst had happened.
He unmuted the phone. “Alexandra?”
“Goodbye, Bash.” Her voice was shaky.
“Don’t hang up!”
“Look, I’ve gotta go.”
A click echoed through the phone, and again he was listening to silence on the other end. Disappointment moved through him for a second time, but this was all wrong.
“No,” he murmured. “I can’t let it go down like this. She owes me an explanation…and now I owe her one too.”
He walked to the front door and locked it, then hit redial on Alexandra’s number and listened to it ring and ring. She didn’t answer.
He hung up and tried again. And again. And again. And again.
Finally, Alexandra picked up, “What is it, Bash? I’m busy.”
He had a death grip on the phone. “Just don’t hang up, all right? We need to talk this out.”
She gave a bright laugh, one that seemed a little too bright to be sincere. “You don’t have to explain anything to me, Bash. Seriously. You go on ahead with your new girlfriend. Besides, I’m expecting someone.”
“Right. You and Wilkes are back together. By the way, Kennedy is not my girlfriend.”
“I’m not expecting Wilkes, Bash. We’re not back together. Anyway, I’m sorry I interrupted you and Kennedy, whoever she is.”
“Don’t make this about me, Alexandra. You practically made out with him at your front door…and it’s all over the place, everywhere I turn!” Sebastian noticed he was shouting. This was getting out of control. “Look, let’s talk about it on the weekend.”
“You’re still coming to LA?”
“You don’t want me to?”
“Of course I do, Bash.”
Just then, he heard a knock on his door. “Alexandra, don’t hang up, okay? I just need to see who’s outside.”
Sebastian took the phone with him and stepped over to the door, half expecting Kennedy to be there for something she may have forgotten. Boy, was he wrong.
“Sebastian Sullivan?” a man asked.
“Yes. How can I help—”
Before he could get his question out, the man began to snap photos of him, blinding him with his flash. “How does it feel to be the man standing in the way of Lexxi Rock and Wilkes Barracks’ reconciliation?” the man asked him.
“What? Who are you?” He didn’t need an answer. Standing behind him were Aileen and her husband.
Aileen’s husband spoke up. “Hey man. We gave you a chance to deal with this, between friends. We figured out how to get ourselves compensated, and now you can answer to the court of public opinion.”
“Get off my front porch. All of you.” Slamming the door, he stormed back to the living room. That was when he remembered Alexandra was still on the line. “Alexandra?” he called to her. “I guess you heard that.”
“Yes. I should have known they’d eventually come after you. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. That was Aileen and her husband.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’ll blow over.”
“I’m not the other guy in this…this fiasco, Alexandra,” he told her, raking a hand th
rough his hair as he sat in the couch.
“I know. It’s best not to address it, otherwise they won’t leave you alone.”
“Christ. This whole situation is a nightmare. I don’t need this right now.”
“It’s my fault, Bash, and I’m sorry. Let’s just leave it be until you get to LA, okay?”
He paused for a moment. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea anymore, Alexandra. I have to prepare for the new job I’m starting next week. I want to see you, but not if all we’ll be doing is running from the media. Let me get this out of the way and we can talk afterward.”
“Sure.”
“I’ll call the travel agent and reschedule.”
“Okay. Look I’ve got to go, Bash. I’ll…I’m sorry. Take care.”
Alexandra hung up before he could get another word in.
Crap.
He tried to blot out the rage that was surfacing. None of what happened tonight should have come as a surprise.
Then why do I feel like shit?
Chapter 21
ALEXANDRA didn’t wait for Eva to walk in the door to start telling her. “Something happened with Bash tonight and…”
“What? What’s going on with Bash?” Eva asked, wrapping her arms around Alexandra, probably from hearing the hurt in her voice.
It was hard to say the actual words for the first few seconds. “Bash has a girlfriend. She’s a redhead. Even my dad says she’s pretty. Oh, and the media knows about him now.”
“What?”
Alexandra pulled away after a while, and motioned with her hand for Eva to follow her to the kitchen. She went right for the fridge, digging around for whatever Lily left her to snack on before she left for the day. A tray of apple strudels covered with a glass lid was the first thing she laid eyes on. Alexandra picked up the lid and grabbed one, stuffing her face so she wouldn’t have to find an answer right away.
“Lexxi,” Eva said disapprovingly. “Put down the pastries.”
“They aren’t pastries,” she mumbled with her mouth full, swallowing down the thick, tasty morsel.
“Talk to me.”
Alexandra found the nearest barstool and sat down, dropping her head to her hands. “The media knows about Bash.”
HERO (The Complete Series) Page 71
