Alexa chuckled. “Well, damn, Kirb, you certainly get better with age. You were hot back then, but holy shit, you’re stunningly handsome now. I bet you have a whole dozen girlfriends.”
He chuckled. “Not exactly. I put in a lot of hours at the hospital. I’m married to medicine and I’m developing a medical device. Doesn’t leave much time for anything else. So, dinner tonight?”
Alexa sighed. “Yes, but I feel weird not telling Kit.”
He took her hand in his. “Please, Lex. I promise you I will tell her tomorrow and I need your help with that. You’re welcome to bring your husband to dinner with you tonight if you’d like.”
Alexa stared at him. “I’m in town solo this time around. No hubby, no kids. You actually have good timing. My dinner with one of my reporters got pushed because of an exclusive. I’ll have dinner with you on one condition.”
He nodded. “Anything.”
She met his eyes. “You tell me everything. And I mean everything, sparing not one detail.”
He bobbed his head. “Yep. You’ve got my word. Everything. What time do you want me to pick you up?”
She chuckled. “Seven. Here’s my address.” She jotted it down for him, ripped off the piece of paper and handed it to him. “Was this whole investing in my magazine just a front for you to meet up with me?”
He grinned. “Yes and no. I am interested your company. But, it doesn’t sound like you really need my money these days. The publication is flourishing. Your teenage dream has come true, Lex. So proud of you.”
She beamed with pride, smiling from ear-to-ear that he remembered. “Thank you. If you want to throw some money at it, then maybe we can work something out. How about business now and we’ll save social and catch up for dinner and drinks later.”
He smiled. “Deal. Let me get my attorney back in here.”
* * *
Kit leisurely strolled into the dining room and glanced over at Candice. “Any word from Lex yet? I left two messages on her cell phone last night. It’s not like her to not call me back. Can you try reaching her?”
She pointed at Kit and nodded moments later. Kit stood up and raised her eyebrows. “Lex?” Candice nodded silently.
Kit started making her way out of the room. “I’ll take it in the bedroom.”
Candice did as Kit said and moments later, she picked up the cordless phone eagerly. “Lex? Where were you last night? I tried calling. You didn’t pick up your mobile so I left two messages. Is everything ok?”
She paused for a moment. “Everything is better than ok, Kitty. All good. Sorry. I was tied up. Spending time with an old friend. What’s up? Did something happen?”
Kit grinned. “Nothing too crazy. My single hit platinum yesterday. Pete has been great through it all. It’s nice to have such amazing support. He’s guiding me along well with everything.”
“Congrats, love. That’s huge! It sounds like you have the best management team for your career. Speaking of support, do you want me to go with you to lunch with Dr. Nicholls today, sweetie?”
Kit frowned. “Huh? How did you know I was going to lunch with Dr. Nicholls today?”
Alexa paused and came up with an immediate solution without revealing what lunch would hold. “Candice told me. I know you’re working through a lot of stuff right now. Your shooting is still one of them and he’s someone who saved your life months ago. I’m free, so I thought I would accompany you… for moral support.” She cringed feeling bad about lying to her best friend.
Kit sat back in her chair and frowned, her intuition triggering a red alert. She wondered if Alexa had a crush on Dr. Nicholls just like every other female in the greater Los Angeles area did, or so it seemed. Regardless, she decided that maybe it was good to have her along.
She chuckled. “Ok, Lex. Be here in two hours. He’s sending a car. Hopefully he won’t be too mad at me for bringing a friend.”
“He won’t.”
She frowned. “Huh?”
Alexa scrambled. “Um, I mean, he probably won’t. He seems like a really nice person. A generous person… from what I’ve heard.”
Kit raised an eyebrow. “You’re acting a little strange today, Lex. You feeling ok?”
“Yeah, I’m great. Just didn’t get too much sleep last night. Getting the Bev Hills house all squared away. It was my first night here.” It was a flat out lie. She couldn’t tell Kit the truth. She and Kyle had spent time catching up and talking into the wee hours of the morning.
The long pause on the phone made Alexa scramble again. She knew the wheels in Kit’s head were turning. “Sorry, I was just reviewing a fax that came over. A little distracted. I’ll be there in bit.”
Kit yawned. “Ok. See you soon.” She hung up the phone, satisfied with Alexa’s final answer, but suspicious about her motives.
Alexa shifted in her seat and did her best to remain calm and relax, but knew Kit was onto her as they sat side by side in the car on the way to the restaurant.
Kit looked over at her, furrowed brow, concern clouding over her emerald eyes. “Everything ok, Lex? You seem nervous or something.” She giggled. “Do you have a crush on Dr. Nicholls? Did you meet him when I was in the hospital for the shooting and neglect to tell me?”
Alexa looked at her and smiled. “No. I don’t have a crush on Dr. Nicholls. Although he is mighty handsome.”
Kit nodded. “So I hear from Giselle. She was raving about him again this morning when I talked to her. Looking forward to seeing this supposedly dreamy guy in the flesh.”
Alexa stared
