Fool for Love (High Rise) (3 page)

* * *

Body combat hurt like hell. Clearly, Maddie’s muscles hadn’t recovered yet. If it weren’t for Alex's encouraging smiles, she would have given up. She wondered how Alex did it. How many classes did she teach per day? Per week? And what must that body look like underneath that skimpy tank top?

“Left foot in front, please. Maddie?”

While dreaming of Alex's abs, Maddie had missed the supporting leg switch. Alex nodded at her and, before shifting her focus to the group again, shot Maddie a quick wink. Maddie felt her cheeks flush but didn’t know if it was because of the strenuous workout or the special attention from Alex.
 

“Hey, teacher’s pet,” Isabella teased, while reaching for her bottle of water. “Did I miss something?”

“Teach likes her,” a voice whispered from behind. Stunned, Maddie turned around and stared straight into Nathalie Orange’s face. As the week had progressed, the days had gotten stranger and stranger, culminating in a body combat class with one of her favourite writers. Maddie had seen her around the neighbourhood, but, as if victim to a teenage crush, hadn’t had the nerve to address her. “She’s my roommate, so I know.” Nathalie grinned at Maddie. “Although she’ll be the last to admit it, so don’t press her on it.”

“Enough talking, ladies,” Alex yelled from the front, her voice so naturally authoritative in front of a group. “This class is not over yet.” She clapped her hands. “Save the gossip for happy hour.” Did she just wink at Maddie again? “Come on. Front stance. And keep that guard up.”

Maddie had even more trouble keeping up now. The instructor lived with Nathalie Orange. Clearly they weren’t an item. But still, she couldn’t help but look at Alex with whole new eyes. And by god, the hotness level in that flat. And Hong Kong was already so warm and humid.

“Let’s ask them for a drink.” Isabella stood panting against the studio wall. Maddie had barely made it through class and had trouble catching her breath.

“What?” She rasped.

“It’s common knowledge Nathalie Orange can’t say no to a fine single malt and I happen to have a bottle of Cadenhead lying around.”

Maddie slurped her water as if she hadn’t had any fluids in days. For all her shrewd banker brain cells, she was stumped for words.

“I’m the boss of you this weekend. And we’re all neighbours. Why the hell not?” Isabella continued. “Hey, Nathalie.”

In two strides, Isabella was by the writer’s side. Quick enough for Maddie to wonder if she had ulterior motives of her own.
 

Nathalie looked up from her iPhone, which she appeared to be glued to. She probably had a hundred messages from admirers.

“Can I interest you and your flatmate in a Friday evening sampling of some of the world’s finest Scotch?”

Nathalie’s face brightened instantly, as if someone had said the magic word to her well-guarded kingdom.

“There’s an offer I can’t refuse. Penthouse right?”

“Correct. Let’s say in an hour, and don’t forget to bring your flatmate.”

Alex was just approaching after showing an elderly lady the correct execution of the side kick a few times.

“Good to see you again, Maddie.” She smiled with an energy Maddie had seldom, if ever, witnessed. “Good class, Isabella. Keep it up.”

“These ladies have invited us for friendly neighbourly drinks. We can’t possibly decline. Imagine the awkwardness in the elevator if we did,” Nathalie chimed in.

Maddie scanned Alex's face. Her first, purely physical reaction seemed to be cautious, doubtful even.

“Sure, but I have a class tomorrow morning, so don’t count on getting me tipsy.” She jabbed Nat playfully in the bicep. “This one is a really bad influence.”

Maddie was intrigued by the jesting interaction between the two friends.

“Wonderful. See you in a bit.” Isabella said her goodbyes and Maddie sheepishly followed. She had trouble determining if it was because of meeting Nathalie Orange or because of Alex's intense bedroom eyes—and the two winks she had been the recipient of during class.

ALEX

Usually, Alex had the place to herself on a Friday night, resulting in a YouTube clip hopping frenzy of interviews with Charlize Theron—to whom Rita bore an uncanny resemblance. She could hardly pretend to have forgotten about Rita altogether, no matter how hard Nat was trying to push her into the arms of another woman. It had only been five weeks and two days.
 

“Why do I have to change, anyway? We’re only going two floors up and I didn’t know you were such a stickler for decorum.” Alex asked Nat, who stood adjusting the collar of her shirt in the bathroom mirror.

“It’s the penthouse, Alessandra. You can’t go to the penthouse in sweat pants. It’s not right.”

“Well, excuse me, Miss Donatella Orange, but if I’m not welcome the way I am, I might as well stay in.” Alex slanted against the door frame of the bathroom. “And don’t call me Alessandra.”

“Donatella is worse.” Nat stuck her tongue out and her reflection in the mirror looked ridiculous enough to coax a smile out of Alex. Nat turned towards Alex, an unexpected kindness in her eyes. “It’s just a drink. Nothing more. And no funny business on my part, I swear.”

“Oh, all right.” Alex was getting sick of sulking at home, anyway.

“Now put on those cheap H&M jeans. It shouldn’t be said out loud, but your ass looks absurdly good in them.” Nat took a step closer and put her hands on Alex's shoulders. “I know you’ve been hurt. Badly. But you’re hot stuff, Pizza. And the world is a better place with your ass in those jeans in it.” She quickly pecked Alex on the cheek. “And last I heard, looking good never hurt anyone.”

“What am I supposed to say to that?” Alex fought the urge to draw Nat in for a hug.

“Absolutely nothing. Come on, hurry up. I can taste that Scotch already.” Nat combed two fingers through her bangs and straightened her posture.

“You’re so easy to get, Orange.”

“If only someone could keep me, though.”

* * *

Isabella’s penthouse was a lavish affair. She’d set up a table on the roof terrace that overlooked all the Mid-Levels buildings below, backdropped by the harbour and another batch of illuminated skyscrapers in Kowloon. Maddie had dressed down in jeans and a plain white t-shirt. Isabella probably didn’t understand the concept and wore a loose-fitting but sumptuous purple and turquoise dress.

Maddie got up and kissed Alex and Nat on the cheek. She smelled of coconut soap and expensive banker’s perfume.

“I can’t handle hard liquor, so I brought this.” She pointed at an ice bucket holding a bottle of Veuve Clicquot.
 

“Please, sit.” Isabella gestured to two chairs facing the magnificent skyline. “Enjoy the view while I get the goods.”

“I’m surprised you ladies are still standing,” Alex tried to break the ice. “I must not have been hard enough on you.” She sat down and the thousands of scattered lights in front of her made her blink twice.

“And I’m amazed you’re still up and about. You must be exhausted after a week of teaching classes like that.” Maddie fixed her greyish eyes on Alex. It was uncanny how much they reminded her of Rita’s. Alex had to look away for a moment, before being able to face Maddie and the intensity in her eyes again.

“It’s my job.” Alex shrugged. “I’m used to it.”

“We should go to the beach together some time,” Nat said. “Then you’ll be able to see Alex's body in full glory.” Nat accompanied her statement with a wolf whistle. “I’ve done some research and I can safely say Alex has the best body in Hong Kong. Period.”

Alex sighed. So much for Nat not embarrassing her. “Good grief, Orange. Inappropriate should be your middle name.”

Nat smiled her trademark smile and Alex felt the budding anger seep out of her. “She also can’t take a compliment. It’s a funny combination.”

Alex felt Maddie’s eyes scan her torso. The feeling wasn’t entirely unpleasant.

Isabella returned with the bottle of Scotch. That should keep Nat off her case for at least ten minutes.

“That looks like a bottle only a serious collector would have.” Nat addressed Isabella. “Care to show me what else you’ve got?”

“I’d be delighted.” Isabella nodded eagerly as Nat pushed herself out of her chair.

“Excuse us, ladies.” Nat followed Isabella into the flat.

Alex couldn’t believe how stupid she’d been. She’d walked straight into Nat’s trap. She’d made her dress up. She’d plied her with a few false promises of not trying to set her up. And they’d barely arrived and already Alex found herself alone with Maddie, framed by one of the most romantic vistas in the world.

Alex gave Maddie an apologetic look.

“Some friends—” she started, at the same time as Maddie said something.

“Sorry, you first.” Maddie smiled warmly at her. Her smile was completely different from Rita’s. Much warmer, almost maternal. The smile of someone who’d take care of you forever.

“I wouldn’t normally be so forward, but I think it’s time you opened that bottle,” Alex said. “If we have to wait for Nat to recover from admiring Isabella’s liquor cabinet, we’ll be here all night.” She needed a drink. It only took one sip to take the edge off, anyway. She was a lightweight like that.

“My pleasure.” Maddie rose from her chair and Alex couldn’t help but notice how her jeans clung to her well-built hips.
 

“I know you’re new to Shape, but you hardly look new to working out.”

Maddie had just finished untangling the wire cage from the cork. She looked at Alex with a stunned but amused expression.
 

“I’m sorry,” Alex rushed to say. “Noticing things like that comes with the job, I guess.”

“Unlike what I’ve heard about you,” Maddie said, “I’m perfectly able to take a compliment.” There was that smile again.
 

Alex shyly reciprocated. What was she doing? Was she flirting now? And how did that work again?

MADDIE

While pouring two generous glasses of champagne, Maddie cast a glance through the full-length windows. Isabella and Nat appeared to be in the middle of a debate on a bottle Isabella held in her hands. She still couldn’t believe Nathalie Orange was here, in Isabella’s flat, on a regular Friday night. She’d brought a treat as well. Maddie wasn’t stupid. Isabella and Nat seemed to have found a common goal all of a sudden. One Maddie could hardly disagree with. Alex was a real stunner and she could be just what Maddie needed to rebound from June.

Maddie sat back down and held out her glass for a toast. “To the weekend.” She looked straight into Alex's dark eyes and a small tingle crept along her spine.

“Yours, anyway,” Alex said before clinking the rim of her glass against Maddie’s. “Not that I mind. I’m only teaching body balance tomorrow. Which, after twenty-five hours of mostly combat and spin, is a nice end to the week.”

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.” Maddie brought her hand to her mouth. “But, truth be told, you can usually find me at the office on a Saturday morning as well.”

“What about tomorrow?”

“Nope. I promised Isabella I’d be all hers this weekend.”

“Oh.” Was that a glimmer of disappointment in those bedroom eyes?
 

Maddie was quick to correct herself. “She’s a good friend. And neighbour.”

“Maddie has more exotic tastes.” Isabella walked back onto the terrace, Nat hot on her heels. “She’d never go for the likes of me.” Maddie hadn’t seen them coming and was slightly disappointed her little tête-a-tête with Alex was ending already. She’d have to do something about getting Alex alone again soon.

“If the topic of conversation is about to migrate to yellow fever, we have another expert in the house.” Alex pointed at Nat and dazzled Maddie with her quick wit. June would never say something like that.

“You know I’m very much for equal opportunities.” Nat sank down in a chair opposite them, a tumbler of amber liquid in her hand. “But when in Rome…”

“Our writer friend here is doing all she can to sample as much of the local population as possible.”

Maddie witnessed how Alex and Nat exchanged glances, increasing her suspicion that, at least at some point, something must have happened between them.

“Interesting.” Maddie knew Isabella could never switch the analytical part of her brain off.
 
“Why do you—” Suppressing a smile, Maddie could see the wheels inside Isabella’s head turning.
 

“I’m in favour of free flowing conversation and a wide range of topics,” Nat cut her off. “But, trust me, the state of my love life is not worth your time.” Maddie was convinced Isabella would not pass on the challenge Nathalie Orange represented.

“My bad.” Isabella brought a hand to her chest. “Once a shrink, always a shrink.”

“About that,” Nat focused her gaze on Isabella. “My new book has a character in it who’s a psychiatrist. You’d make excellent research material.”

“I’m honoured.” Maddie could tell Isabella wasn’t joking—and she completely understood. “Stop by any time.”

“Should I make an appointment?” Nat sipped from her glass, but kept her eyes on Isabella.

“Depends.” Isabella uncrossed her legs and bent over so her elbows rested on her knees, her face inches away from Nat’s. “Does your soul need healing?”

Maybe Maddie had been too paranoid. Perhaps tonight wasn’t about getting her and Alex better acquainted. Isabella seemed to have an agenda of her own.

“There’s not enough money and time in the world to heal Orange’s dysfunctional psyche. Her debut was based on a true story, you know,” Alex said.
 

Maddie’s awe spiked. Not just because of Alex's sharp tongue, but mostly because
My Family
, Nathalie’s first novel that had won a slew of prizes when it was published seven years ago, was one of her favourite books.

“Alex is right.” Nat kept her eyes glued to Isabella. “I may have some mommy issues.” She slanted her upper body forward until her nose almost touched Isabella’s. “Can you fix me, Doc?”

“I have time for an extra client tomorrow. Why don’t you stop by around noon and find out?”

“I’m starting to feel like the third wheel.” Alex turned to Maddie. “I hadn’t seen this coming.” She looked into her almost empty glass. “That must be some Scotch.”