She nodded. “Yes. Agreed. I’m ready to let him go. Truth is, since I’ve been in these appointments with my shrink, I’ve worked through my past with him. I’ve even written a few more songs that I may use for another album. It’s time for me to move forward for good. Done with my old life. Doing my best to figure out life without Lew in it guiding my career steps. It’s time for me to leave the nest and fly on my own.”
Alexa threw her arm around Kit’s shoulders and gave her a squeeze. “Proud of you, Kitty. That’s the right thing for you, it really is. I hate to broach the subject, but…”
Kit turned to face her. “Go ahead and ask.”
Alexa nodded. “Sully’s been calling me. He’s desperate to mend fences. He and Wes are good, but…” Alexa took her hand. “I don’t want to take sides, Kitty. Know I’m always loyal to you and I do not condone what he did… I…”
She sighed. “I’m not going to hold you back from talking to him, Lex. Call him back. He’s been part of our life for almost a decade. And yes, his behavior was bad, but at the root of it, Sully is not a bad person. It’s just complicated right now. Y’know I say I’m done with him, but…”
Alexa frowned. “What brought this on? Was it the night he stayed with you at my place? Or is it because you’re friends with Kendalle now and she’s clued you into more good stuff?”
She nodded and cast her eyes down for a moment and then met Alexa’s concerned gaze. “He was really there for me. Like I said, it’s complicated. Too much gray area. It’s not as cut and dry as I thought. There are moments when I’m so fucking angry. I want to kill him and I’m so done. But then memories come up and they’re not all bad. And then there’s things that he’s done recently that show me he really does love me and… If he could get clean and stay clean…”
Alexa folded her arms in front of her chest. “You deserve so much better.”
She held her hands up. “I know, I know. I just need some more time to make heads or tails of this. The legal separation is still moving forward. I haven’t stopped the wheels in motion.”
She met Alexa’s eyes. “It seems like he’s trying to make positive changes, Lex and in a way that I’ve never seen before, that’s all I’m saying. But don’t worry, I’m keeping my eyes wide open.”
Alexa stared at her and nodded slowly. “Good.”
* * *
Alexa walked off the elevator and through the lobby of the luxurious, Beverly Hills offices for Platinum, located on the twenty-first floor. She took off her designer sunglasses, stowed them in her black Hermes Birkin bag and approached the front desk to offer a friendly greeting to the receptionist. She notified her of a guest arriving soon before heading back to her office.
Diving right in, Alexa took a seat at her desk. She took full advantage of the moment, tackling the pile of files on her desk and jotting notes to hand off to her assistant. Like Kit, she was always short on time and took every opportunity she could to get things done.
Engrossed in a phone call with her chief editor, Juliana in New York, Alexa lost track of time. Her assistant emerged and stood in the doorway of her office. Alexa nodded and waved her in, asking her call to hold.
Her assistant nodded. “Alexa, Larry Friedman is here.”
She glanced at the clock on her desk. “Ok, thank you. Can you put him in the conference room? I’ll just be a minute or two while I wrap this up.”
Moments later, Alexa entered the conference room. Larry approached Alexa and nodded. “Ms. Winston-Matthews?”
She offered a friendly grin and shook his hand. “Yes. Mr. Friedman, I presume.”
He nodded again. “Yes. It’s a pleasure to meet you. My client is eager to see you. He has nothing but praise for you and your work. He mentioned that you two went to high school together.”
She looked at him and searched the room. “Where is your client?”
He nodded. “He stepped out to use the men’s room. He’ll be right back.”
She couldn’t deny her curiosity and wondered who it could be. Getting her work done was suddenly more intriguing to her and as she paced in the conference room she contemplated cancelling the meeting entirely.
Before she could recant, though, Larry made a comment that made her stop in her tracks. He continued. “My client mentioned that you’re quite an accomplished ballroom dancer. Do you still compete?”
Her violet eyes widened as she gently bit her lower lip to keep her mouth from dropping open. There was only one person on the planet that would say something like that. As Larry’s client entered the conference room, her hunch was confirmed. She stared in awe, speechless.
Kirby stood before her, dressed impeccably in a navy blue Brioni suit. He grinned from ear-to-ear, reflecting the irresistible dimples that Alexa always admired. He most definitely had gotten better with age.
He met her eyes. “Hi, Lex.”
She stared, wide-eyed for a moment and then shifted her attention to Larry. “Can I have a moment alone with Mr. Nelson, please.”
Larry frowned and looked confused. He searched Kirby’s eyes and he nodded. Kirby shifted his attention to Alexa. “My last name is no longer Nelson, Lex. It’s Nicholls. Dr. Kyle Nicholls.”
CHAPTER 20
Candice waved to get Kit’s attention as she headed toward the bedroom in a fatigued daze. She was desperate for a nap. Too many long hours and late nights shooting videos, rehearsing her new songs live or listening to the final mixes with A-Dub were catching up with her.
She glanced
