Chase Me (Broke and Beautiful #1)(20)

A long pause that had him feeling restless. Had he caught her in the middle of something? It was a Friday night. Did she have a date? Oh, man. He really didn’t like thinking about her out with another guy. It made him go a little insane, actually. Finally, his phone buzzed.

If I get that close to your belt buckle, are you sure you want me talking?

Jesus H. Christ. That comment had taken his current state of sexually frustrated and turned up the volume to deafening. Even without seeing her in person, he knew that comment had been meant to keep him off balance. It had worked. Good point. But not cool when you’re not within reaching distance.

Will it help if I tell you I’m looking forward to tomorrow night?

Before that last comment, maybe. Now? Definitely not.

No. Distract me.

I’m at an audition right now for a hair color commercial. The call was for twenty-something girls with a beachy, windswept look. One girl brought her own fan. Another is dressed like a mermaid.

I don’t believe you.

A picture hit his phone a minute later.

Okay, I believe you.

While they might be making light of the situation, knowing what she subjected herself to every day only justified the phone call he’d made last night. Even the short performance she’d given at Fletcher’s bachelor party, after they’d returned from the bedroom, had proven how much talent she had. It was such an easy fix. All she needed was a shot. Soon she wouldn’t have to face the constant rejection anymore. Wouldn’t have to take her clothes off to get her by until the next audition that very likely wouldn’t pan out. No more living day to day. Paycheck to paycheck. But would she see it that way?

I’m up next. Wish me luck.

Give me your address, Rox. I want to pick you up tomorrow night.

So much time passed that he thought she’d blown him off. That he’d pushed too far, too quickly. His frustrated curse was interrupted by the buzzing of his phone. She’d texted him her address, apartment number, and everything. A slow smile spread across his face. Progress. Finally.

“What’s her name?”

Louis turned to find Mr. Ravanides standing behind him, leaning against the house. Jesus. How long had he been there? See, this is what happened when five feet five inches of beautiful, complicated girl crowded everything else out of your mind. You risked being crept up on by hairy, foreign men. And the knowing look in the other man’s eye told Louis he wouldn’t accept any bullshit answers. “Roxy. Just Roxy. I don’t even know her last name.”

“Have you gone to meet her father yet? Asked for permission?”

“Permission for what?”

His thick eyebrows slashed down. “To see the girl.”

Louis laughed. “I’m having a hard enough time getting her permission.”

“Ah.” Mr. Ravanides nodded sagely. “She’s one of those.”

“I don’t know what you mean by that.” Louis turned and stared back out at the street. “But I’m guessing you’re right. She covers all the bases.”

“Just as long as you’re not covering bases,” the other man said sternly. “Not until you shake the father’s hand. Look him in the eye.”

Louis nodded to appease him. “Is that what you did with Mrs. Ravanides?”

“Hell, no. We eloped.”

With all the food in his stomach, it hurt to laugh, but Louis couldn’t help it. Damn, he really liked the guy. His whole family, really. The easy bond between them. It made him wish for the same thing. It made him wonder what Roxy’s relationship with her family was like. God, he didn’t know a damn thing about her. That would change starting tomorrow. Everything would.

“Let me ask you something,” Louis said as he shifted uncomfortably. “Back when you met Mrs. Ravanides, if you had a way to make her life easier, would you have done it? Even if it meant leaving out the truth?”

“My lawyer is asking me for advice now?” He pushed off the wall and joined Louis on the top step. “Don’t worry. I’ll do it pro bono.”

Louis’s laugh turned into a groan when the spanakopita used his arteries as a water slide. “Thanks.”

Mr. Ravanides handed him a roll of Tums he’d kept hidden in his hand until now. “I tell all my children that honesty is the best policy. Always. But sometimes people are too proud to ask for help when they need it. Those people need a gentle push.” He clapped a hand onto Louis’s shoulder. “I know the kind of man you are. If you’re leaving out the truth, you have a good reason.”

Louis popped the antacid into his mouth. For the hundredth time since last night, he wondered if his selfish reasons for wanting Roxy to have some security outweighed his good intentions. No time for regrets now, though. The deed was done. “Let’s hope you’re right.”

“I’m usually right. Unless the argument is with my Ms. Ravanides.” The older man stood. “Now. Come inside. My wife baked two pans of baklava, and they’re getting cold.”

Sweet Jesus.

BISCUITS. THE MOUTHWATERING smell catapulted Roxy up the stairs toward the apartment. She swore she could actually feel herself gain three pounds from the aroma alone. If Honey had anything to say about it, she’d never get hired in this town. Not because she couldn’t afford the extra weight but because she’d spend all her time in food comas, butter and icing smeared on her face. What audition? Pass the sticky buns, fool.