“Uh, I moved from Georgia. What are we doing?”
He whipped his car into an empty stall. “I’m still nursing my hangover. Wheat grass shots are the best cure. Plus, it’s good for you; it’s my beauty secret.” He struck a ridiculous pose before he stepped out of the car and added, “Come on, I’ll buy you one.” And then he left me to follow again.
We walked into the health bar. Its orange and stainless steel interior shone with the sunlight from the large storefront window. The girl behind the counter greeted Liam by name and asked if he was here for the usual.
“Two of them today,” he replied.
After paying, he sat at the bar by the front window and gestured for me to join him. I sat next to him, and the girl from behind the counter brought over two shot glasses full of green liquid with a plate of orange slices. Liam handed me one of the shots, and I cautiously sniffed, the smell of grass clippings made me cringe.
Liam’s lips pressed together, amusement shown in his eyes. Then he raised his glass to mine. “To new friends.”
I paused at the familiar toast, the same as the other night. I decided direct would be the best course of action and set my still full glass down, meeting his gaze. “I hope we can become friends. But you need to understand, I’m not that girl from the other night.”
He gave me a lopsided grin. “That’s amazing, you look just like her.”
I clasped my hands together and leaned forward. “It’s unfortunate because we are nothing alike. Best to just forget she existed.”
He sat back in his chair and scratched his chin. “Fair enough.” He picked up his glass and raised it again. “To real friends.”
I eyed him, not sure how to take the toast. It almost sounded like a challenge. But I had brought it on myself; I had not been real with him. I swallowed the thick green liquid that smelled and tasted like fresh cut grass and slammed the empty glass down, grabbing an orange to remove the taste from my mouth.
Liam stood and walked out the door leaving me to follow again. At least this time he held the door open till I reached it.
When we were back in the car and on the road, he picked up the conversation.
“So you moved from Georgia? You don’t have an accent.”
“I didn’t grow up there. I’ve lived all over the east coast. Twelve cities. LA is lucky number thirteen.”
He glanced my way briefly. “Really? That’s insane. So, you’re related to Lexi and Sonja and Chelsea?”
My heart beat faster; I still wasn’t sure what to say about our relationships. “Yeah, but since I lived on the opposite coast, we’d never met in person before.”
“Ah, not the close type of family?”
I smiled at his accurate statement. “Exactly. Enough about me, now it’s your turn.”
“I’ve traveled all over, but only ever lived in Holmby Hills, until I moved to the condo with Ethan.”
“Is Holmby Hills far away?”
He laughed softly at my question. “Holmby Hills is the neighborhood where Chelsea and Sonja live, the wealthiest in California.”
“Oh,” I said. “Must have been a nice place to grow up.”
His laugh was different now, it held an edge. “Yeah, it was a nice place to grow up.”
“Do you go to school or work?”
He glanced at me from the corner of his eye. “I was a business major, but now I work for my father’s company. The Beacon’s my first project, and it’s a success. I’m going to branch out to the music industry. First, I’ll become a major player at our west coast record label, and then it’s only a matter of time before I take over our music group.”
“Seems like you’ve got it all planned out,” I said, unsure with the terminology. “What type of music does the group sing?”
He laughed. “Not a singing group. The music group is our music corporation; it’s comprised of different labels and the related businesses.”
“Oh.” It was a lame response.
He turned the car onto a side street and parallel parked at the first open spot. “We’re going to have to walk to the entrance. Parking's crap, especially on the weekends.”
“Okay.” I got out of the car and looked over the line of vehicles and sporadic groups of people on the inclining road.
Liam took out his phone, pressing on the screen. “They’re waiting for us at the park.”
He said something as we walked up the street, but I only caught the word “trophy wife.”
“What?”
He gave me a sideways glance, and I caught the mischievous glint in his eye. “You said I had it all planned out. And I do. Except, I still need to find my trophy wife.”
I shook my head. Living in so many cities made me realize that people were the same no matter where you were. They all fell into one category or another. I’d already thought I knew which box Liam fit into, this just confirmed it. Cocky bastard.
“What?” He laughed at my disapproval. “It’s not what you’re thinking. I want a trophy wife eventually, but not right now. I’m just enjoying the race. I don’t plan on collecting my winnings for another five years, at least.”
“I wasn’t concerned about when you wanted a trophy wife, but that your goal was to get one.” I laughed at the absurdity of the conversation.
He wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “Sure you're not concerned that you wouldn’t qualify?”
I stepped out of his reach and threw my hands up as he laughed. “I don’t have many goals, but not being someone’s trophy wife tops that list.”
He pressed his lips together to smother his amusement. “So you're one of those feminist.”
My eyes widened in exasperation, but shocked laughter escaped my lips. “I am so done with this conversation.”
I spotted Sonja and Sydney up ahead and quickened my step, leaving Liam to follow me this time.
~Carly~
The sounds of waves softly rolling in and back out to sea filtered in through the open windows. Carly took a moment to enjoy the relaxing sounds and the view before she untangled herself from Connor’s naked body to make her escape.
Morning had come too fast. This was the second morning she had woken up in his bed, but she didn’t think she would ever get enough of him.
He kept in shape, and she loved stroking his muscles during their lovemaking. His stamina was better than she remembered. He satisfied her every need, she didn’t want it to end. She only hoped she was giving him the same pleasure.
The first night in her hotel room, he had left after they had sex. The next night, he’d invited her to his room and they’d fallen asleep together. Not wanting to outstay her welcome, she’d left before the sun rose.
This time, she had already stayed too long. The sun was up and Connor’s day would start soon. Her movements stirred him, but he turned over on the bed and fell back to sleep. Carly slipped out of the covers, grabbed a robe, and softly snuck out of the room before he woke.
She wondered if Connor would want to wake up to her still in his bed tomorrow.
Chapter Seven
Forget your past, forgive yourself, and begin again.
“Any star sightings yet?” Sydney turned to ask as we made our way up a dirt path.
“Not yet. Or, at least, none I’ve recognized. I saw some people taking pictures of someone at the Starbucks this morning, but I don’t know who he was.”
“Well, up ahead of us is Antonia Lynette, from that tween show Southern Summer.”
I looked past Sydney and her tiny bright green shorts to a petite blonde in a baseball cap. She followed behind her unleashed dog with a plastic bag in hand, ready to scoop up his poop. I would never have recognized her.
As we approached, she eyed our group and then squealed, “Liam. Hey sweetheart, I’ve missed your face.”
Liam pulled her into a hug and then bent down to pat her dog, some sort of tan dog that reminded me of a wallaby. The dog made his way around the group sniffing each of us in greeting.
�
�You look good, Toni.” Liam playfully pinched the brim of her hat, adjusting it on her head.
“It’s been too long. Let’s make plans for dinner later this week. Remind me, what’s your number?” She pulled out her phone and Liam grabbed it from her, pressing on the screen.
“There, now it’s saved in your phone. Text me and we’ll make plans.” He handed her phone back and then embraced her once more in farewell.
Sydney rolled her eyes. “Gah, do all girls do that with you?”
Liam eyed us all. “Not Sonja. But I’ve never turned my charm on for her.”
Sonja bounced as she pushed Liam. “Ew, you’re like my cousin”
I paled. “Are you two related?”
Sonja laughed. “No, but he’s Sydney’s cousin, and since Sydney and I are practically sisters, I consider him family.”
Sydney turned to me. “Have you thrown yourself at Liam yet? You didn’t include Kate on your list. Please, share the details.”
Liam spoke up. “Not this Kate, but I only just met her, so I’m optimistic.”
“Well, you just ruined any chances of that happening.”
He draped his arm around me. “Oh, I’m thinking a little Captain and Cuervo could up the odds.”
I shoved him off me but tried to keep up the jocular atmosphere.
“Smart Cookie.” Sonja threaded her arm through mine. “Don’t fall for his bullshit. He can be fun, but not serious boyfriend material.”
“I can hear you.” Liam narrowed his brows. “I could be serious boyfriend material if I wanted to be. No girl has made me want to be.”
“Except Taylor, you would be boyfriend material for her.” Sydney pointed at Liam.
Liam was staring at his phone screen as he responded, “What the hell guys, you bring her up too much. We’re just friends.” He looked up and grinned his cocky bastard grin, “Although, she’s on the list of girls who would throw themselves at me.”
Sonja and Sydney spoke in unison. “Whatever.”
Liam pressed on his phone screen as he spoke. “Something’s come up, I’ve got to go. I’ll meet up with you all later.” Then he looked up at Sydney. “Can you give Kate a ride home?”
Sydney narrowed her eyes, “Yeah of course. What’s up?”
“It’s nothing,” He dismissed her question with a smile and gave each of us a farewell hug.
As he hugged me, he whispered into my hair, “Sorry.”
“That was weird,” Sonja echoed my thoughts.
We continued our walk to the peak, and I looked out to the horizon. The ridge gave way to views of the city and Pacific Ocean; both seemed to sparkle as if dusted with diamonds. But my thoughts were distracted by what, or who, had called Liam away.
“I hope everything’s okay.” I wanted to ask what their theories were but felt foolish for even being interested in him. All signs pointed to him being unavailable and a jerk, maybe it was my guilt over sleeping with him. Like, if I became close friends or something then the act would be less inappropriate. Actually, the truth was he’s hot and cocky and gave me the slightest attention. And unfortunately, that combination is all it takes to attract me, along with lots of other girls. I really was that easy or pathetic depending how you looked at it. I hated myself for that.
Sydney frowned. “My bet would be that Taylor texted. He may claim that Taylor’s one of the girls who throws herself at him, but it’s just the opposite. He always drops everything for her. Ugh, I hate her and her stupid games.”
“Seriously Sydney,” Sonja spoke up. “She’s not that bad. Besides Liam puts up with it. She only does it because he allows it.”
Sydney laughed bitterly, “A horse is a horse is a horse, of course.”
Sonja and I exchanged confused glances.
“What does that even mean?” Sonja laughed.
Sydney rolled her eyes and raked a hand through her caramel locks as if we were the ones speaking nonsense. “It means she’s a bitch.” Sonja and I snorted but Sydney continued, “Whether he allows it or not, it’s still not right. She’s a bitch all the same.”
Sonja bounded ahead of us. Her long strawberry hair whipped as she spun to face us, and her legs flexed as she walked backward up the incline. “Hmm, so a horse is a bitch. Got it. Now, let’s move on. We need to take Kate shopping. I have my—I mean our Dad’s Amex. Where should we go?”
We spent the rest of the walk discussing the pros and cons of each boutique. Or more accurately, I listened while they chose where I should shop. Our shopping trip resulted in more outfits for Sydney and Sonja than me, but I did get a few new items.
As I curled into bed, I checked my phone. I had one text from Mark. Even though I had deleted him from my phone, I recognized the number.
Thinking of you, I miss you. Sorry for hurting you. Should not have gone on that date. Please call me.
I sighed and texted back.
No worries. I’m over it. Have fun.
I debated the text and reread it. Should I say more? No. I hit the send button and set down the phone. I hoped he would take it as the brush off it was.
Every time I had moved, people were adamant about wanting to remain friends. But that was always short lived. Facebook made it easier, but even the communication there dwindled to a “liked” status or picture only. I didn’t see why I should waste energy on a friendship or relationship that wouldn’t sustain.
Lexi’s comment from yesterday that I’m hard to be friends with hit me. It was unsettling to think that my lack of friends could be my fault. Not when frequent moving and distance was probably the biggest reason.
Sleep that night didn’t come easy. I tossed and turned as old friends and acquaintances haunted my memories. I kept repeating my mantra, “Here will be different. No more moving.”
At the beginning of the week, I applied for various jobs, helped Lexi prepare for her date, and I went out to dinner with my sisters. I didn’t see Liam once.
I talked to my mother before bed on Tuesday, and she shared her itinerary with me. They were going to fly through the night and she’d be home at 10:00 am tomorrow.
After a restless night, I woke up early and ran, trying to shed the nervous energy that was consuming me.
When my mother returned home, I’d expected her to be tired from her flight, but she was full of energy. She assured me she slept well on my father’s personal plane since it had a bedroom on board.
She immediately went to work on decorating our new place. I accompanied her to many stores, and by the evening our place was full of furniture and much-needed household items.
As we sat for dinner, salads from a nearby café, I decided to broach the subject we had avoided all day. “So Connor, how is he?” I asked lamely. Not exactly the direct question I wanted.
She took a small bite of her salad and chewed for a while before finally responding, “He is generous.” She pointedly swept her eyes around our place. “He wants to have dinner with us tomorrow.”
“Okay. Can you tell me anything? Why did it take this long for him to show up or for us to show up?”
I recognized her frustrated sigh as she sat up straight. “Really, do you need me to spell this out? He was married. I was only a server at the country club. His wife’s family was their main support at that time, and I was a risk to his success, even more so when I was pregnant. He gave me two choices and neither of them allowed for us to become a family. So, I took the money he offered and moved away.” She shrugged and took another small bite of her salad.
I froze, not expecting her answer to be so forthcoming. I didn’t need to ask what the other choice was, I felt certain it was to abort. I wasn’t surprised. It only confirmed that I’d never love him, only tolerate him.
“What changed? Why are we here now?”
She took a sip of her water and smiled. “His position has changed. His wife divorced him and he now runs his own company and does not rely on their support. We can’t hurt his career anymore. He found us and contacted me. And now
we are here.” She looked around pleased.
“Treat him with respect Kate. Show him that I raised you right, and I’m sure he can provide you with connections that will ensure you marry into wealth and have a secure future. Make him proud to be your father.” She leaned over and kissed my head. “Good night, dear. I have work tomorrow but will be home in time for us to go to Connor’s together. Be ready by six.”
I reread Liam’s text to Lexi. “Pool party on the roof. Two o’clock tomorrow. See you there, beautiful.”
“Hm, I’m confused. Do we think he’s being sweet?”
“I don’t think so. I hate overly sweet nicknames like beautiful. It’s hard to take seriously.”
“And what did you text back?”
“I haven’t.”
“Well, I’m off tomorrow, I would love to come see your pool. Now let’s move onto bigger issues. How was dinner?”
I fell back onto my bed, the weight of evening overwhelming me. Dinner had not gone well, at least not by my mother’s standards. I laughed, recalling her face when I spilled my ice tea on the table. I’d immediately stood up to avoid more tea spilling into my lap, but the servers quickly appeared around the table to clean up. Unfortunately, their promptness and my clumsiness converged, and I tripped over a server’s foot or the chair or something and fell onto Sonja’s lap, flipping her plate onto the floor.
Sonja laughed with me, but Chelsea and my mother stared in disgust. Connor remained cool and simply ordered us all to take our seats and requested a new dish for Sonja and drink for me. In moments, the entire event was cleaned up, and we all acted like nothing had happened. Except Sonja, who watched me with exaggerated caution as I took sips and adjusted my drinks to a safe distance. As we continued to laugh with each other, I could feel my mother’s disapproval grow.
“The conversations were very safe and polite. All though my clumsy self showed up tonight. You should see the stains on my pants.”
It Goes On Page 6