Page 91 of Vain

“For what?” I ask bemused as I buckle in and start up the truck.

“For being everything I never knew I needed.”

“I’ll admit, it’s all for purely selfish reasons.”

“Is that so?” She grins as I drive up to the guardhouse.

“Have you looked in a mirror lately? You’re hot as fuck.”

Her peal of laughter is a balm to the undercurrent of rage that’s been simmering since the crash.

When the guard indicates that I should lower the window, I do. “Is there a problem?”

“I hope not. But a gentleman is here to see you. He said he knows you. I wouldn’t let him in, of course, with everything happening. But he didn’t have a vehicle, and I didn’t want the paparazzi to find a new target, so I had him wait around the corner with Jimmy.”

“Thanks, Andrew. I have no idea who it could be so it was a good call to make him wait.”

“I did try to call down, but nobody answered.”

“Ah shit, I should have checked. With the wrap party, things got pretty loud. Has this guy been waiting long?”

The guard looks at his watch. “About forty minutes.”

“Alright, I’ll deal with him. Thanks again. Have a good one.”

“You too, sir. Ma’am.” He tips his hat to Matilda, who waves at him. I wait until Andrew lifts the barrier before slowly heading in the direction he pointed.

“Who do you think it is?”

“Probably Marley or Greyson.”

Matilda shakes her head. “They’ve been here before a bunch of times. They’re on the approved list so Andrew would have let them through.”

“Huh. I don’t know then. It’s not like I’m out here making friends.”

“Crap, you don’t think it’s Daniel, do you?”

I turn the corner, and before I can answer, a familiar face jumps up off the bench. “Holy shit, it’s Kellen.” I stop the truck and climb out. Once he reaches me, I pull him in for a one-armed hug.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

“I’m on a super-secret mission. Besides, I missed your ugly mug. Hello, beautiful,” he adds as Tilly steps up beside me.

He pulls her into a hug. I see her stiffen at first, but eventually she relaxes in his arms and hugs him back.

I look over his shoulder at the security guard just behind him. “Thanks, man. I’ll take it from here.”

“No problem, Mr. Church. Have a good evening, folks.”

“Thanks for keeping me company,” Kellen calls out as he lets go of Tilly.

I tug her into my arms as I look Kellen up and down. “You look a fuck of a lot better than you did the last time I saw you.”

“I feel it too. Come on, let’s get out of here. I’m starving.”

“Which hotel are you staying at?” I ask as we all climb in the truck, Tilly beside me, Kellen in the back.

“None yet. I came straight here from the airport, but I’m not picky.”