CRASH (A Logan Brothers Novel) (29 page)

“
Look, I don't feel safe
letting you in. I'll meet you down the road at the cafe on the corner
in ten minutes.”

“
Sounds fair,” he said.
“I'll look forward to it.”

I watched as he walked away,
turning the corner at the end of the corridor and spinning around to
down the stairs. I looked to the mirror by the sink in the corner of
the room and shuddered at the sight of me. I looked so pale, so
tired, so drained - like one of those ghoulish masks I'd seen people
wearing last night.

Yuck!

I don't know why I cared but I
did. I quickly applied some light make-up and dragged my most dashing
woolen jumper from my closet, pulling on a pair of tight jeans and
wrapping a heavy scarf around my neck.
OK, here we go.

.......

A few minutes later I was
standing outside the cafe looking in through the glass. Inside I
could see him - Kyle - casually stirring a large cup. I hesitated
briefly before stepping in through the door, the bell clanging
lightly as it opened.

He quickly looked up, our eyes
meeting properly for the first time, and I stepped forward. He stood
quickly as I approached and held out his hand. I extended my own and
took it. It was large and strong, but his touch gentle.

“
It's nice to meet you
officially Alice,” he said, smiling. I struggled to withdraw my
gaze from his white teeth, flashing between his dimpled cheeks, his
dusty stubble helping to define his jawline. Jesus Christ he was even
more beautiful without a door between us. His face held no
imperfections, no a blemish, not a thing out of place. His eyes were
even bluer than I'd thought, contrasting against his dark hair, his
features strong, yet soft.

“
And you,” I said on
autopilot, forgetting momentarily that this was the guy who'd broken
into my room.

“
Let me get you a drink,” he
said.

I shook my head. “No, I can't
stay. I'm just here to find out what you have to say.”

“
With an aim to being hasty
then, I'll cut right to the chase. Jen worked for me, that's why I
was looking for her. She had an obligation to meet, but she failed to
do so. I hope that explains my fervor at trying to track her down.”

“
I suppose,” I said,
nodding. I understood all too well that employers were never that
happy when someone failed to turn up to work.

“
It was a matter of some
sensitivity, so I was instructed to trace her by all means necessary.
That is why I broke into your room. I had to be sure you were telling
the truth. I had to be sure that she was actually gone. I never
expected you to return so soon from the party.”

“
Yes, I saw you there, in the
V for Vendetta mask.”

He smiled and laughed lightly.
“Ah yes, so crude, I know. I was there seeing if I could find her.
A long shot, but worth the small effort it took.”

He lowered his eyes slightly,
peering directly at me with a more serious tone to his voice. “I
hope I didn't frighten you as you woke?”

I laughed gently. “You're
kidding, right? Of course you frightened me! I'm not
Sigourney-fucking-Weaver.”

“
Allow me to make it up to
you.” The words came suddenly, as if he didn't expect to say them
himself.

I leaned back in my chair.
“How?”

“
Let me take you to dinner.
Let me apologize properly.”

OK, now he must have been
kidding! “Dinner? With you? You must think I'm insane.”

A look of hurt washed over his
face, quickly hidden once more under his confident visage. “Just an
offer,” he said blankly, “no strings attached.”

I pondered it for a moment as I
looked at him. Tess had been begging me to date a few guys recently,
telling me to lighten up. Yeah, easy for her to say, she didn't have
to worry about money like I did. But maybe she was right? Maybe it
would make for a nice distraction? But this guy? Really?

“
I know nothing about you
though. What do you do? What was Jen doing for you?”

“
I run a club. She worked for
me there.”

Ah,
so that explained the late nights.

“
Really?” I asked, my
interest piqued. “Any work going?” I said casually, jokingly.

His reply came quick. “There
is now.”

“
Oh, you mean Jen's job? So
what exactly did she do? Bar work? Waitressing? I've got plenty of
experience with both if that's what you're looking for.”

What the hell was going on!
How had I gotten myself into a job interview situation with this
guy?!
I bit my tongue. My need to find work was overriding all
the warning signs that were flaring up in my head.

I could see him sizing me up, my
desperation so obvious. “She was in client services. Look, how
about that dinner. I'll tell you all about it then?”

Suddenly the idea of dinner
sounded a lot more appealing. If it might lead to a job, what could
be the harm. Right now I'd take just about anything, at least until I
found something better. Plus, it sounded like a night time gig, and
that was just what I was looking for. Screw going out and socializing
in the evening - my life wasn't that easy. Days for college work,
nights for paid work: that's how things had always been.

“
Sure,” I said, my guard
dropping, “I'll take you up on the offer.”

He smiled once more, wider than
before, his blue eyes burning into me. “Perfect,” he said,
“tomorrow night, 8 PM.” It didn't sound like a question or
option, but an order.

“
That works,” I said
nodding.

“
Great, I'll come to your
room, again,” he said, a playful slant to his words. “One more
thing before I go. What's your surname?”

“
Newton, it's Alice Newton.”

“
Great to meet you Miss
Newton. I'm Kyle, Kyle Logan.”