A Twist of Fate by T. Gephart Page A

non
committal to our deal as a “maybe” then? See you tonight Alex
xx
    My face hurt so
much from smiling. Ughhhhhh how old was I? 16? I couldn’t help but
feel elated; I half accepted he would have lost interest once he’d
slept with me. It didn’t bother me, it’s what I would had expected.
What I would have done; moved on to another challenge after my
interest was satisfied. No, I was working with him. His best friend
was pretty much my boss right now and I didn’t want to screw this
up. I had to stay focused. One indiscretion was excusable; two...
well that was pushing it, even for me!
    I raced home
from work to get ready. Despite the earlier “pep talk” I had given
myself that this wasn’t about Alex, I knew better. I really wanted
to see him again.
    What to wear??
Damn it! I couldn’t go too sexy as James’ parents and wife were
going to be there I didn’t want to look like a Ho! I picked out a
new dress I had been itching to wear. It was a metallic green
fitted mini dress with contrasting black panelling. It had slight
cuff sleeves and back panel cut outs to expose my back. The front
had a cross over neckline that plunged (low but tastefully) at the
bust. The metallic green looked amazing against my olive completion
and dark hair. I tamed my wild mane into a large, messy knot on top
of my head, allowing random loose strands to fall and frame my
face. I dramatized my eyes, giving them a smoky look but applied a
pale pink gloss to my lips rather than lipstick. I sprayed my
favourite Bvlgari fragrance and finished the look off with some
classic Louboutin heels and my Mimco clutch.
    “WOW, where are
you heading?? You look amazing!” Matt gawked as I exited my
bedroom.
    “Dinner with
Power Station, it’s no big deal.” I tried to sound nonchalant.
    “No big deal?
You don’t dress like that for no big deal!” He laughed. “Lexi,” he
eyed me carefully “just be careful, ok?”
    “Always.” I
smiled as the buzzer rang. “That’s my ride. Don’t wait up!” I
closed my front door.
    The ride to the
hotel was brief but pleasant. As I stepped out of the car I was
careful not to expose anything not intended to be seen. The
paparazzi were constantly circling and the last thing I needed was
a photo of my crotch plastered on the internet. I walked through
the lobby and was escorted to a private dining room.
    I took a deep
breath and entered the room, the click-clack of my killer heels
alerted the dinner guests of my arrival. James stood up to greet me
whisking me over to meet his wife, Hannah. Alex glared at me, fire
burning in his eyes. Internally I cheered. Take that,
HA !
    “Lexi, it’s
such a pleasure to meet you. I’m Hannah, I’ve heard a lot about
you” Hannah held out her hand politely.
    “Hannah, I’m so
thrilled to meet you” I gushed, slightly embarrassed. Hannah was
stunning; her beautiful round face was framed by thick dark hair.
She had a tiny waist and curvaceous hips, her figure accentuated by
her fitted microfiber mini dress with knee high boots.
    “These are
James and Mike’s parents, Andrea and Paul,” she gestured to the
older couple who were talking with Alex. They turned their
attention and greeted me warmly, Paul shaking my hand and thanking
me and Andrea giving me a massive hug - so that’s where James got
it from!
    “I honestly
can’t thank you enough for what you did for my son. I was told by
the doctors that Mike wouldn’t be here with us now if you hadn’t
stepped in...” She began to weep, “Thank you, dear angel... thank
you for saving my boy.”
    “Awwww, you
don’t need to thank me. Really... it was nothing.”
    “NOTHING?” She
looked at me shaking her head. “Dear girl.... you deserve our
gratitude and so much more. I will never forget this. Our boy...”
She trailed off with another slight sob.
    “It’s okay,” I
reassured her. “He is safe and your other son has been more than
generous so I have been well and truly thanked.”
    “Generous?