Allison
Apparently, she’d jumped the gun. Smug had never been Allison’s thing, and now she felt stupid for feeling even the least bit the day Leonardo agreed to stay in touch, even though he’d ignored all her previous texts and calls. It’d been almost two weeks since she’d had any contact with him again. At first, she thought maybe he was just avoiding her since he was obviously back to not returning her texts or calls.
After several days of not seeing him at the gym, she’d finally broken down and asked Gio as casually about Leonardo as she could. He’d at least confirmed that Allison had been wrong about what she’d begun to suspect: that Leonardo was ducking behind punching bags or diving under boxing rings to avoid being seen by her because she hadn’t seen him at all in days. He’d been sick. Bronchitis to be exact. Bad enough that the doctor had signed off on him taking the week off.
But after coming in this past Monday just to see him and he still wasn’t back, she’d given up on him. At least for now. She had too much going on this week with work, a paper with a looming due date, and Leonardo’s wasn’t the only story she was working on. On top of it all, she’d also had her hands full in the last couple of weeks getting settled into her new home. Lila had finally agreed to just take the plunge and move in with Sonny, but only after Allison had been accosted by the paparazzi outside their apartment building more than once. They’d do anything to get the story on her increasingly famous boxing sensation sister and her superstar baseball-player boyfriend.
So, Allison had gone from living in the projects in a rundown neighborhood to a mansion in Los Feliz, surrounded by other mansions owned by equally rich and even famous homeowners. Despite everything else going on in her life, Leonardo had constantly plagued her mind.
But she’d just have to set trying to get that interview with him aside until she could catch up on all her other assignments. It was Thursday now, and since she didn’t have Leonardo’s story ready, she’d have to push up the other one she’d been neglecting.
“How we doing with that connection of yours?” Allison asked as she sat down next to Jen in the computer lab.
“I’m waiting on a call. But get this. I mentioned you interviewing the work-release guys over at the gym to Marcelo, and he said that was a good place to start for this story.”
Allison peered at her, not quite understanding. Marcelo was Jen’s older brother. He’d been in and out of trouble for years until he finally did what Jen had thought was the smartest thing he could do and enlisted in the Army. He’d since completed his tour and hadn’t reenlisted. Now it seemed he was reconnecting with the wrong crowd again. It was why they’d asked him about the drug dealing on campus, a story Allison and Jen had been chasing for weeks.
Remembering Gio’s speech about the strict criteria they had for the work-release contenders, hearing what Marcelo had suggested was a little disappointing. “He thinks Leonardo or Rodney are involved in this?”
Jen smiled, shaking her head. She explained how Marcelo thought guys like Rodney and Leo, who’ve done time, might know more about the top guys running the show on the outside, since, on the inside, guys with heavy sentences feel like they have nothing to lose and do a lot of talking. “You think you can get another interview with them and slip in the questions—off the record?”
Allison frowned, remembering her failing efforts to get in touch with Leonardo again. “I might with Rodney. But I’d have to go down there and find him. I don’t have his phone number like I do Leonardo’s. That guy hasn’t returned any of my calls or texts in over a week, and before you ask, yes, I’ve been persistent.”
“Well, you did say he was the more reserved of the two. Oh!” Jen’s eyes went wide with excitement. “You said Rodney flirted obnoxiously, right?” Jen fluttered her lashes with a smirk. “Remember, if it takes a little flirting to get your story, so be it. Maybe Leonardo will give Rodney your contact info so he’ll call you if Leonardo thinks it’ll stop you hounding him.”
“Hmm.” Allison thought about that then pulled her phone out of her backpack. “Maybe.”
After all the other texts Leonardo had ignored, she refused to put too much thought into this one. He’d likely be ignoring it too. But Jen had a point. He just might respond if he thought it’d get her off his back. Tapping away at her screen, she put a quick text together then read it back silently.
Hi, Leonardo. Can you please give Rodney my number and ask him to call or text me? I never got his number. Thanks!
She hit send without giving it another thought. In spite of her heartbeat speeding up because this was the first text she’d allowed herself to send him in days, she wouldn’t be holding her breath or getting her hopes up. She felt ridiculous now for thinking, even for a second, that she’d begun to read more into the way he looked at her.
The very thought had a flush of heat shooting up her neck and onto her face. That such a complicated, mysterious man like Leonardo would have the time or inclination to even look at her with anything else but professional interest was so absurd it embarrassed her.
Pretending to dig in her back pack and glad Jen was busy typing something on her computer keyboard, Allison took her time, willing the flush to pass. Last thing she wanted was for Jen to notice her reddened face.
Jen caught her up on some more of what Marcelo had told her, which wasn’t a whole lot. Allison logged onto the computer and typed up some of the notes she’d taken in her notebook.
An hour later she still hadn’t heard back from Leonardo when she saw Carson enter the lab.
“Shit,” she muttered.
“What?” Jen glanced up.
“Hunker down,” Allison said, doing just that, and Jen followed suit.
“Why?”
“It’s Carson. I was hoping to avoid him until I had to see him in class in a few days. He’s gonna ask about the story again, and I still don’t have anything new to add.”
“Leo didn’t respond?” Jen asked.
“No,” Allison said, shaking her head with a frown.
Then she had an idea. This was around the time Drew worked out at the gym. She pulled out her phone and tapped away again, asking her if she was there. Drew’s response was immediate. Yes.
This time Allison put a little more thought into her text. Lila was close with most of the wives of the 5th Street owners—her bosses. But Charlee, Drew’s best friend, was one she spoke least of since she wasn’t at the gym most days like some of the other wives. Still, Allison wasn’t sure just how close Charlee was to the other women. She had to be close to Nellie since they were sisters-in-law. She wasn’t ready to ask Drew just yet to keep this from getting back to Lila. For all she knew, she’d never get another moment alone with Leonardo. So, calling attention to her interest in speaking to him—secretly—would probably raise more brows than not.
Can you tell me if the guys I interviewed are there today? The ones I pointed out to you before?
Allison continued to hunker, hoping not to be seen by Carson. He’d since sat down on the other side of the room, seemingly oblivious of her presence. She waited a few minutes this time for Drew’s response. It made her wonder if Drew wasn’t walking around looking for them or, worse, asking someone about them and telling them why.
Only good thing was Lila wasn’t at the gym today. So at least Allison was sure Drew wouldn’t ask her. Finally, Drew responded again, and Allison read it quickly.
Yep, they just walked in a few minutes ago and ROWR! The one you said was hot is looking fine as wine.
Of course, that had Allison’s insides stirring, but it also made her frown in disappointment. She’d assumed maybe he was in training when she’d sent the text over an hour ago. That it was why he hadn’t responded. Now she knew that wasn’t the case. As obnoxiously flirty as Rodney had been, she thought he would’ve called or texted her as soon as Leonardo gave him her number. Again, assuming Leonardo had bothered to even read her text.
Another text popped up on her screen, making Allison’s heart thud. But she was back to frowning when she saw it was just Drew again.
Well, shit. Now I’m craving a glass of wine, but I can’t unless I skip dinner for that ONE glass since that’ll tap me out on my calorie allowance for today. THANK YOU, ALLISON! >.<
Giggling, Allison responded to apologize with a sad face but was glad the focus was off what she’d initially asked about. They went back and forth a couple more times with Allison letting Drew know she might stop by the gym in a bit and Drew saying she’d look out for her.
The second she finished sending her last text, Allison began wrapping things up.
“I’m gonna make a break for it.” Allison glanced over the computer screen to see if Carson was still there. “Drew just confirmed Rodney is at the gym right now, so I’m going for it.”
“Cool.” Jen glanced over her screen as well. “I think he left. I don’t see him, do you?”
“No,” Allison said, relieved about not having to get too sneaky.
Zipping up her backpack, she stood up and swung it over her shoulder. “I’ll call or text you and let you know what I got.”
Jen held up a hand for Allison to high five. “Do work, partner. And remember to flutter those lashes if you have to.”
“All over it,” Allison said, high-fiving her before walking away.
She’d made it all the way out of the lab and into the main hallway of the building when she heard Carson. “Ali!”
“Damn it,” she muttered under her breath as she slowed then turned to see him speed up toward her.
“I’m glad I saw you,” he said as he approached her.
“I still haven’t finished with the story. But it’s where I’m headed now. To interview—”
“That’s fine, Ali.” He shook his head as he reached her. “It’s not what I was gonna ask about. Take your time with that. There’s no rush.”
Allison nodded, relieved and a bit curious now. Aside from anything related to the class, they’d never really discussed anything else.
“You look cute by the way.” He smiled awkwardly as he glanced up and down at her outfit. Before Allison could thank him about the uncharacteristic compliment, he went on. “The lecture tonight, Dr. Rosenbaum’s lecture on investigative journalism . . . You’re going to that, right?”
“Oh yeah.” Allison glanced down at her watch. “I’ve been looking forward to it actually. And . . . thank you.” She felt weird about adding that when the moment had passed, but she touched her skirt so he’d know what she was talking about.
“You’re welcome.” He smiled a bit awkwardly again, glancing away. “I’m going tonight too. A few of us are, and then we were planning on grabbing a bite to eat after and discussing the lecture. Nothing fancy, just a burger or something. Feel like joining us? I’m always up for a good debate.”
He winked, smiling bigger this time, lessening the awkwardness. Allison smiled, despite still feeling stunned. At least he’d mentioned a few of them, meaning this was not his way of asking her out. Or was it? “I, uh . . . suppose,” she said because he caught her so off guard she didn’t have time to give it much thought. “I mean, do you know where yet? I could just meet you guys there.”
“No, we usually just wing it. But if you meet up with us, we’ll watch the lecture together then just decide when it’s over where to head to.”
“Okay.”
“Great,” he said before she could say more. “I’ll text you when I get there tonight so we can meet up.”
A few classes nearby let out, and Carson was quickly approached by two of the other students from their journalism class. Glad for the interruption, Allison said she had to get going and walked away.
The whole way to her car, Allison couldn’t shake how befuddling Carson’s unexpected invitation, coupled with the compliment, felt. She wasn’t sure what she was more surprised about: the fact that Carson had gone out of his way to invite her to do something outside of school or that she wasn’t as thrilled as she would’ve imagined being just a few months ago.
Once behind the wheel of her car, she turned it on, feeling her insides do a little summersault in the process. Only she knew it had nothing to do with Carson’s invitation. Turning her car on had just reminded her where she was headed and who’d she be seeing soon. She knew Rodney had nothing to do with her jittery insides either.
Halfway to the gym, Allison was second-guessing her decision to not go home and change before heading to 5th Street. Ever since the makeover, she’d been trying to get up on the latest fashion. She’d never been one to care much about that stuff, but she figured it was a good time to make a little effort. Now that she lived in uber-trendy Los Feliz, she got to see a lot of the absolute latest in fashion just by walking around the shopping district with all the fancy boutiques.
Though she refused to pay the astronomical prices those expensive boutiques charged. Jen’s very talented seamstress mom could recreate some of the trendy outfits they’d seen. The plaid tennis skirt she had on now was something she’d seen in the window of those boutiques and around school. She thought the look was cute, but at her request, the skirt was not as short as the ones she’d seen on some of the girls at school. Still, it was shorter than she was used to wearing. And while she’d seen other girls wearing the skirts with long-sleeved spandex crop tops, Allison hated how much attention it brought to her boobs. But both Jen and even Lila had assured her that the whole outfit along with the thigh-high socks and short boots was cute and the in thing for girls her age. She knew Lila wouldn’t hold back if she thought the look was slutty. But it still felt odd walking into the gym, wearing a skirt versus her usual workout outfit.
Determined to get this over with and stop obsessing about why Leonardo had chosen to just ignore her, she walked into the gym, holding her chin up. The first thing she was accosted with when she turned the corner toward the area she knew they trained was Rodney’s wolfish grin as he took her in.
She expected nothing less, no matter what she’d been wearing, but she couldn’t help feeling visually assaulted anyway. She responded with an equally big smile because she’d be doing exactly what Jen had suggested: using her womanly charm to get what she needed. Though of course she’d only go so far. She wasn’t about to give him a reason to disrespect her. But she didn’t see the harm in smiling sweetly.
Leonardo saying something to him instantly distracted her. Allison felt her face heat when it was clear by the way the other guy with them turned to look at her that they were talking about her. Maybe Leonardo was just now telling Rodney about her text? What else could they possibly be saying?
She knew it wouldn’t be unheard of for guys to be exchanging smartass or even lewd comments as they watched a girl on her way to interact with them. But unlike Rodney, who continued to smile widely at her when he turned to her again, Leo was doing anything but. In fact, much like the very first time she’d noticed him, she might even say he looked disgusted.
Thank God she’d texted him about Rodney earlier. At least he should have a pretty good idea of why she was there. It wasn’t to see him in case that was the reason for the irritated expression.
Taking a deep breath just before she reached them, she smiled big. “Hey, guys.”
“Well hello, Allison,” Rodney said, his eyes taking a full sweep of her from top to bottom. “Don’t you look incredibly sweet today.”
“Thank you.” Willing her cheeks not to turn bright red, she turned to Leo. “Did you get my text?”
Allison had seen many of this broody man’s glares. But the one she was treated to now as he removed his lifting gloves was without question the worst she’d seen so far. Then she remembered his lack of response and that glare might be his way of saying, Which one? You’ve sent so many.
“The one I sent earlier,” Allison clarified as he dropped the gloves in a tote and started toward her, “the one about—”
“It’s lunch time,” Leo said, interrupting her. “How ’bout you and I grab something to eat.”
He’d ignored her texts all this time, and now he wanted to do lunch and expected her to just drop everything? “No thanks,” she said, lifting her chin. “I’m not hungry.”
His indifferent shrug was almost insulting until he added, “We can finally finish that interview.”
She peered at him for a moment, still confused by his sudden change of heart, then remembered. “Oh, that reminds me. I actually need to talk to—”
His suddenly towering over her with such a lethal glare had the words catching in her throat. “You’re not talking to him, Jelly.” He turned to the other two guys, who seemed as surprised by this as Allison was. “It’s about that time, right? I’ll see you guys back here in an hour.”
When he turned his attention back to her, she did her best to match the glare; though her jittery insides didn’t make it easy.
“Just walk outside. I’ll explain out there.”
It felt more like an order than a request, but her curiosity had piqued too much to argue. “Fine.” She huffed, trudging alongside him, beyond curious now and a little excited about finding out what the heck this was about.