HOLLYWOOD DECEPTION

A waitress came by and took our orders. I decided to take pity on Felix and go for the baked ziti, on Cam's recommendation. Felix went with the chicken parmesan. Both were delicious. I knew because Felix fed me bites of his meal across the candlelit table. Despite being in the middle of one of Hollywood's busiest restaurants, I had to admit it was kind of romantic after all. The romance was only interrupted at brief intervals when Felix pumped the passing waitstaff for info about what they may have seen the night Bobby Baxter was arrested. I couldn't blame him, because he was right—I'd have done the same thing if he hadn't done it first. Unfortunately, no one had any new information to add to the bare bones we already knew. Fortunately, the wine was warming, the meal indulgent, and the company witty and hot enough that by the end of the meal, I was really hoping the business part of our evening was over and we could get to the pleasure.
"That was a lovely meal," I told Felix, snuggling against his arm outside as we waited for our driver.
"I agree. And the company wasn't bad either." He grinned down at me, and my knees melted a little.
"And the wine was divine."
He grinned again. "I noticed you enjoyed it."
I swatted him playfully on the arm. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing. I just might have liked a taste."
I swatted him harder this time, and he laughed in response, clearly enjoying the rise he was getting out of me. Okay, so maybe I had drunk a bit more than my fair share of the bottle. I was young, in a hot dress, and with a gorgeous man on my arm. Why not have a little fun?
"Well, I tell you what," I said, going back in for the snuggle as our car came into view. "I have another bottle at home that's almost as good. I'm happy to share it with you."
Felix gave me a brief smile but didn't answer as our car pulled up and he helped me in.
Hmmm…not exactly encouraging. Okay, maybe he hadn't gotten my hint. I tried again as we pulled away from the curb.
"Or, if you'd rather, we can go to your place?"
Again with the brief smile. Maybe even briefer this time. "I don't want to keep you out too late."
Translation: I don't want you to stay over?
I gave myself a mental shake, telling myself I was reading too much into it. I pulled out what I hoped was my most seductive smile, leaning toward him until the thin strap of my dress fell down my shoulder ever so slightly. "We could just stay in at my place tonight then."
This time his smile was not only brief, but it held a touch of something I couldn't quite put my finger on. I prayed it wasn't pity.
"I'd love to, Allie, but I have a long day tomorrow, and you have that interview with Baxter in the morning. How about a rain check?"
I blinked at him. Was he serious? I was in the hottest dress known to man, he'd just said he'd loved me at dinner (okay, I was pretty sure that had been teasing levity, but still!), and I was practically throwing myself at him after admittedly drinking a bit too much wine. If he was looking for an opening to take me to bed, there wasn't going to be a better one.
"Sure. Rain check." I tried to sound understanding as I adjusted my shoulder strap, but in all honestly, I didn't understand at all. A horrible thought occurred to me. Was Felix losing interest?
The rest of the car ride back to my place was quiet. Felix held my hand but barely said half a dozen words the entire time. The car pulled up outside my apartment building, we got out, and Felix walked me to my door.
"I'll see you tomorrow after your interview. Sleep well, Allie."
Felix leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to my lips. Then he turned on his heel and walked back to the car before I could respond.
I closed my apartment door and locked it behind me, watching out of the side window as the car pulled away and disappeared out of sight.
Mr. Fluffykins meowed and wound himself around my legs. I bent down and scooped him up into my arms.
"I have no idea what his deal is," I confided to my furry pal as I carried him down the hall and sat him on the bed. On a normal day, I might have kicked him out to the living room to sleep on his pink pillow bed. But tonight I needed the extra snuggles, even if they were feline.
With a sigh, I kicked my shoes off and slid the dress off, letting it pool on the floor. My top dresser drawer was partially open, and my sky blue pajamas with little sheep on them were poking out. I grabbed them, pulled them on, and climbed into bed.
Could he really be losing interest already? That was fast. But tonight he'd acted like I had cooties and he hadn't had his yearly cooties shot.
I briefly wondered if I was just a fling to him. Felix was, admittedly, at least a decade older than I was. I didn't know whether it was my age or not, but there were times when I got the feeling he didn't take me quite seriously.
I snuggled down into my fluffy linens and closed my eyes. "Maybe he just needs a little more time, Fluffykins," I said as my kitty curled up against me and I cuddled him close. Maybe he was shy. Maybe it was a British thing. Maybe—
I was just drifting off to sleep, counting my maybes, when my phone rang.
I grabbed it off of the nightstand. Felix's name appeared on the display. A thrill of excitement shot through me. Maybe he'd changed his mind about that early morning. I grinned as I answered the call.
"I was hoping you'd change your mind…"
"Allie, something's happened." Felix's voice came fast and serious, and I was instantly on high alert.
"What's going on?" I sat up in bed.
"It's Bobby Baxter…"
I groaned. "Great. Tell me he didn't cancel our interview again."
"No." I heard Felix take a deep breath. "He's dead."