Sia (23 page)

Alyz reaches for my hand. She looks pleased. “Now we can go and get money,” she tells me and pulls me off the floor.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Kyle accepts a soda from a wandering waiter and raises it in salute to me as Alyz and I join the seated crowd. I want to go to him, but Alyz is on a mission. She tugs me in the opposite direction.

“
Hello, boys,” Alyz says, leading me toward a table of three young, handsome men. Along the way, she whispers that they’re TV actors from a hit vampire series. “I am big fan of your show,” she tells them.

They melt under her heat. She may have ten years on them, but that’s irrelevant as she slides onto their bench.

“
Do you have room for my friend and me? We are so tired from dancing.”

They’re quick to move over, which is just one more ego boost for me. I’m really starting to enjoy this role-playing. I follow Alyz’s lead. Hardly recognizing my own bravery, I smile across the table toward a man with stylishly buzzed, black hair. “I’m Sia,” I say, “and this—”

“—
is Alyz,” the man says with a chuckle. “Everyone knows Alyz.”

“
Boys, my friend Sia wants to talk with you about our new project.” She is a puppeteer, expertly charming everyone around her; I watch everything she does, learning. “You bring out checkbooks, yes?”

I watch in amazement as all three obediently reach for their wallets.

One smiles warmly at me. “Floor’s yours.”

I can’t help blushing at their attention, but I use that to my advantage. I play the flustered debutante, even the damsel in distress—whatever works. I tell them I’m raising money for the Red Cross, to help the San Francisco earthquake survivors. A few minutes later, we leave the table with three checks for $1,000 each.

“
See? Easy!” Alyz says. She scans the crowd. “Now. Where is Kyle?”

I spot him and wave him over.

“
I have job for you, young man. You see them? The ladies? Those are from television show. Maybe you have seen it. Is called
Gabbing Girls
. You have seen, yes?”

We both shake our heads.

“
Tsst-tsst.” She clicks her tongue and shakes her pretty head. “Well, you are not missing so much, but you know what I see? More donations for us. Come, Kyle. This is why you are here.”

Our reception this time is a little cooler, but that’s understandable; five gorgeous female TV stars faced with a world-famous super model—things are bound to get tight. Yet Alyz ignores their dirty looks, walks right up to them, and chats effortlessly. “Is such a great show, this
Gabbing
. I laugh, I cry, I love your outfits!”

They laugh politely.

Alyz waves her magic wand. “But you know who really wants to meet you? I have brought a friend.” Her eyes slant suggestively. “His name is Kyle. He is young hero, yes?” She glances over her shoulder at Kyle and holds out her hand. “This is him.”

Kyle has turned as white as the ladies’ tablecloth, but they warm to him immediately. Champagne has been flowing, the women are wearing dresses cut to their navels, and the introduction of a new, unassuming male injects interest instantly.

“
Kyle?” one of them says. “Come over and sit. Shove over, Robyn. Make room for the young man.”

The flash of jealousy I feel in my belly is unexpected, but I ignore it. We’re here to do a job. Why else would Alyz have asked if Kyle was handsome? He has a part to play as well.

“
Yes, yes!” Alyz says, ushering him ahead of her like a stage mother at a beauty contest. “He has plan to make money for Red Cross. I think you can help him, no?” Then Alyz has my hand again. “Oh look, Sia. There is my friend Frank. He is wonderful director.”

“
And wonderfully wasted,” one of the women chips in.

“
This is no problem,” Alyz replies, winking conspiratorially at her. “Opens his wallet easier that way, you know? Come, Sia.”

I turn my back on Kyle and remind myself that he’s a big boy. He can look after himself.

“
Frank!” Alyz gushes.

The man in question launches himself at her. He is a foot shorter than she is and at least a hundred pounds heavier. Alyz smiles patiently at me over his head as he hugs her, pressing his cheek against her chest. “The most beautiful woman in the room!” he declares.

She slides out of his grip and flirts. “Oh, you wonderful man,” she says. “I have special treat for you tonight, Frank. I want you to meet my friend.”

His eyes dart to me, flooded with pleasure. His hungry expression scares me a bit, though, and I take a step back.

Alyz instantly understands. “This is Sia. She is daughter of Raymond Holloway.” And just like that, she’s kept me safe.

He blinks, and the leering becomes more manageable.

“
She is lovely girl from Beverly High School. You have niece there too, no?”

He nods. “I do! Terrific school. Full of sexy young girls,” he says, completely unaware of his sexist attitude.

I fight back a retort.

“
Sia is raising money tonight for charity.”

“
Oh?” He lifts an eyebrow. “How can I help?”

“
The Red Cross needs money for the San Francisco earthquake survivors,” I say, trying to make my voice just as inviting as Alyz’s.

He hesitates. I worry I’ve overstepped my boundaries, but then I realize he’s fighting an alcohol haze and trying to figure out what I’d muttered. Apparently in this condition, he’s good at thinking about women but not so good at listening to them.

“
Red Cross?” he manages, slurring a little. “Good people. You’re raising money, you say?”

“
Yes, for the earthquake survivors.”

“
Where’s your champagne?” he blurts. “Can’t do business without champagne!” Frank’s red-rimmed eyes widen and he looks around the room. “Waiter!” he bellows. “Champagne for the ladies!”

Almost immediately, we are handed chilled glasses of champagne, their surfaces fizzing with tiny bursting bubbles.

Alyz tilts hers back for a sip. “Delicious.”

They both look at me and I smile, trying to look like this is a perfectly normal thing for me to do. I take a tiny sip, then smile at Frank. “Mmm. Nice.”

“
Now,” Frank says, “let’s talk about money!”

It almost feels too easy. Alyz lifts an eyebrow my way, encouraging me. “Yes,” I remind him. “For the Red Cross. There are some wonderfully generous people here tonight.”

“
And I,” he assures me, “am one of those. Just a second.” He downs his champagne and reaches for another. With a glass in one hand, he reaches into his pocket with the other and fumbles until he finds his checkbook. “Pen?”

Alyz is already holding one out for him.

He smiles and scribbles out a check. With a flourish, he hands it to me. “I hope this helps.”

I stare at the check, certain that he’s just confused; he has made it out for $10,000. “Are you sure—”

Alyz jabs my ribs. “Frank, darling, you are angel. Lunch sometime?”

“
I'll call you,” he says excitedly.

“
And I will look forward to that call. Enjoy the rest of your night, darling,” she says, then kisses both his cheeks.

I beam at him. “Thanks so much, Frank.”

We leave Frank $10,000 poorer, but he’s sporting a big grin on his chubby face. Almost as big as mine.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Alyz is unstoppable. I follow her around, awed by her electrifying presence and persuasive manner. She is more than a pro—she was
born
to do this kind of thing. By the end of the night, my purse is bulging with checks; one is from a rapper for $8,000; one from an
L.A. Times
journalist who shelled out $3,000; and biggest of all is from a handsome British soccer player, a whopping $15,000.

My huge coup for the night comes from a group of pro football players. They’re charming and handsome and seem interested in the cause. I am aware that most of their attention is focused on my gold-clad body, but to tell the truth, I don’t mind. I have finally begun to feel safe here. It’s all a show, and I’ve both auditioned and won a leading role. When a couple of the players hand me their numbers, I bat my eyes prettily, then blink back tears when they come together and produce a check for $30,000.

Kyle hasn’t done badly either. The
Gabbing
actresses pooled their donations and presented him with a check for $20,000—along with an offer for him to play a bit part on their show if he’s ever interested.

“
Having fun?” he asks me when we finally meet up. His face is flushed from the heat of the room, and his hair is a little mussed from too many eager female hands. But I think he’s more handsome than ever. Of all the gorgeous men in this place, I think Kyle would still be my first choice.

I nod. “This is amazing.”

He puts his hand under my elbow and pulls me closer to him so we can hear each other better. “Yeah, but are you having fun?”

“
I am. I’m having a blast. I can’t believe how smoothly this is going. How about you?”

“
Definitely. This goes way beyond what I was hoping to raise for the project.”

“
I know. Alyz really came through for us,” I say.

In my heart, I’m thrilled. Everything is falling into place, and Kyle and I are getting closer by the minute.

A thousand conversations seem to be going on at once, but Alyz doesn’t give us time to hold one of our own. She pulls us both across the room. From the way her eyes are creased, I know something special is going on. I’m exhausted, but she seems to have an endless amount of energy.

“
Lexi!” she exclaims. “Minka! Oh, it’s so good to see you all.”

Standing before us are half a dozen of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen. Kyle and I stare, but at least I remember to close my mouth. I poke Kyle in the ribs as a reminder to shut his gaping jaw.

“
Do you know who they are?” he whispers in my ear.

I can barely hear him over the thumping dance music, but I shake my head.

He rolls his eyes. “They’re only the most famous lingerie models in the entire universe, that’s all.”

Alyz and the others hug and air kiss like crazy. The others are telling her the shows aren’t the same without her.

Alyz was a lingerie model? I’m not sure why that should surprise me, since she’s gorgeous from head to toe, but it does.

Throughout the night, I look for Dad, but I don’t see him in the crowd. Every time I call his cell, it goes directly to his voicemail. I begin to worry. How long is that meeting going to last? It should be over by now.

The music drops to a slow tempo. The song is as sultry and warm as the heat of the room. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to do a slow dance. We’re all so hot and sweaty already.

Alyz, however, has other ideas. She grabs my shoulder in one hand and Kyle’s in the other. “It’s time for you two to dance together,” she says. “I will talk with my ladies here.”

He and I exchange a glance, but before we can object, she pushes us onto the dance floor. Suddenly, I feel shy; I can tell from Kyle’s expression that he feels the same way. He looks almost apologetic when he puts his hand on my waist, but I like the feel of it there. I slide in closer and rest my chin on his shoulder. I loop my arms around his neck. His embrace tightens and my pulse begins to race.

“
Not a bad night,” he says, his lips by my ear. “We’ve raised almost a hundred thousand, Sia.”

“
I know. I can't believe it.”

My heart is pounding, thrilled at his closeness. All my senses are alive with anticipation. A reminder of his cologne tickles through my nostrils, a faint musk I had noticed earlier. I also smell sweat from his evening’s exertions, but underneath it all—or maybe it’s just my imagination—I smell cinnamon.

“
I have to confess something, Sia. I really never expected you to put any effort into this fundraiser. But I guess you already know that.”

I chuckle softy. “Yeah, you made that pretty clear in the beginning.”

“
Well. . . I was wrong. You’ve worked harder than anyone.”

I let the sweet words settle, then counter, “Not harder than anyone, Kyle—just the same. We’re all in this together. I know we’re not done, but I’m really enjoying it. I like . . . working with you.”

“
I like it too,” he says quietly.

Something in his tone makes me lift my chin and look directly at him.

His green gaze is focused on me. It works like a magnet; I can’t look away. He tilts his head ever so slightly to one side and comes closer, until I can feel his breath on my lips. The feeling is exquisite, like a warm caress that sends heat roaring through my body. I close my eyes and feel his mouth on mine, his lips soft but becoming more confident when I kiss him back. I tighten my arms around his neck, losing all awareness of anything beyond the two of us. The world is ours in that moment, and I want it to go on forever.