“What’s up?”
“How’d the girls get off to school today?” Nate’s chipper voice came through the line.
Stephen rolled his eyes toward the bright blue sky. The worst thing about being down here was the lack of breeze. Perhaps another dip in the pool would help pull double duty in cooling him down. “Why are you calling me?”
“I was on the road when I got a text the alarm went off. I’m just now able to pull over.”
“Are you going to call me every time the alarm goes off?”
“Hey, you’re the one who installed the damn thing,” said Nate. “Feel free to have it uninstalled.”
“I may,” said Stephen, turning around to head back inside. “With me here, I can keep a close eye on the shenanigans.”
“Speaking of Shenanigans, that’s a restaurant I’ve been taking the girls.”
&nb
sp; “I know all about it.” Stephen cut his brother off. “I got things under control.”
“Then you know you don’t have to make a reservation at this place.”
“Funny.” Stephen frowned into the phone before pressing the button to hang up on his brother. Was today Gang Up on Stephen Day?
Chapter 6
Why wasn’t he surprised to spot Lexi’s gold vehicle front and center in the parking lot of Shenanigans? Keenan dropped Stephen and the girls off at the front and said he’d be back in a couple of hours. With his hand on the brass handle of the door, Stephen exhaled with a mixture of dread and excitement. He and the girls had spent the past few months at the house, outside of social gatherings. Now it was time to get everyone acclimated to the town, and judging by the way Philly and Kimber took off down to the entrance and the man ready to stamp their hands, they were ready.
But it would have to wait. His cell phone began ringing from the front pocket of his blue jeans. The familiar number came from Orlando, Florida. Stephen held back by the door and answered the call from his old friend Christopher Kelly, the CEO of MET Networks.
“Chris, what’s up?”
“Hey, man, I was checking in on you. Wanted to see how you and the girls were doing.” Christopher came from a big family of politicians and television executives, yet he managed to be down to earth.
“We’re managing,” said Stephen. “I’m actually out with the girls this evening.”
“Good to know. Are you working again?”
Stephen thought of his new office area. A lot of work needed to be done before moving in, but he still planned on working from his bedroom until then. “Yeah, things are progressing. What’s up?”
Christopher briefed Stephen on an ideal shooting location. A TV script called for a small-town feel. Southwood came to mind, but Stephen didn’t want to set up these scenes in his new town. They hung up with Stephen promising to find a place. As he swiped the red off button, the pit of his stomach flopped with anticipation of seeing Lexi again.
When was the last time he’d looked forward to seeing someone like this? High school? Having rushed into starting a career, Stephen never made time to form relationships with women. Over the years there’d been a few who kept him cozy at night, but all understood he was in no position to give in to a relationship.
They entered the noisy establishment and Stephen’s senses were assaulted immediately. Pepperoni and popcorn scents wafted through the air. Bells and whistles pinged off the walls, slightly drowned out by a singing dog on a stage in the back of the room and children’s laughter. Flashing lights streaming pretty much all the colors of the rainbow blinded Stephen for a moment.
He blinked several times and when his vision became clearer, it landed directly on Lexi Pendergrass’s hourglass backside squeezed into a pair of tight jeans. She wore a red T-shirt tied in the back and a pair of red high heels. He’d yet to see her with her hair down. Usually she kept it up and off her neck, but tonight, even with her long tresses flowing down past her shoulders, he recognized her frame.
Even though the girls had walked into Shenanigans without him, they weren’t permitted to join the crowds until he walked in and got his hand stamped, as well. With the time it took Stephen to get in and with the girls still waiting, they still hadn’t recognized Lexi right off, which gave Stephen more time to watch her wiggle in front of a flashing game. A light spun around and as it neared where Lexi stood, she pressed a button. After the third time, she began jumping up and down like Sylvester Stallone after running up the museum steps in Rocky.
“Jackpot!” she yelled.
“There’s Miss Lexi,” Philly cried.
Kimber pulled from Stephen’s side and began trotting toward Lexi but stopped when someone called her name. Stephen grumbled when he spotted Marvin off by a hunting game with a bunch of other guys.
“Can we go see Miss Lexi before we get our table?” asked Philly. “Maybe we can sit with her.”
“We don’t invite ourselves...” His words fell on deaf ears as Philly ran toward her pageant coach, who was bent over collecting a long stream of tickets. Lexi stretched her arms out to embrace Philly with a big hug. Her eyes scanned the red booths of the dining area before finding him still at the entrance. The smile she gave him caused his breath to catch in his throat.