Dirty Sexy Alphas (Twenty Book Box Set) - Hannah Ford Page 0,213

to talk about how egg yolk is basically the only difference between custard and ice cream. You talk. Tell me something exciting,” she said. “What’s it like out there? Is it crazy or what?” Delaney wanted stories of adventures along Sunset Boulevard, swimming in the Pacific, and posh dinners in Beverly Hills. I’d been here just over two weeks and I hadn’t seen any of the familiar sights.

“I hate to disappoint you,” I said, “but I haven’t done much sightseeing. Just been working, trying to figure that whole thing out.”

“Have you made any friends? What’s your roommate like?”

“She’s okay. A dancer, tough, doesn’t like to bullshit or coddle. I’ve hardly seen her since I moved in.”

“Best kind of roommate,” Delaney said. “Come on, Soph. Something must be happening out there.”

She looked at me eagerly, but not in the greedy way the girls in the office had as they waited for my report from Leo Armstrong. Delaney looked at me excitedly because she wanted me to have an adventure. And as she’d said a hundred times since I told her I was leaving our small town, she planned to live vicariously through my adventures.

But I couldn’t tell her about Leo Armstrong. I knew I could trust Delaney with my life, but I hesitated in telling her my big writing assignment.

“The roommate is a little intense. So are the girls in the office,” I said. “What I need is my partner in crime with me to explore the city.”

“And its seedy underside,” she joked. “Does the fact that you haven’t seen the sights yet mean you haven’t met any guys yet either? Or are you already so wrapped up in some Malibu surfer dude that you haven’t had the time?”

“That’s not it at all,” I said. Normally Delaney would be the first and only person I’d call after a night like last night. I was in unfamiliar territory, not being able to tell my best friend about the hottest non-sex I’d ever had.

“I hope it’s not because you’re still hung up on Paul,” she said. “He is a royal prick. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before he cheats on Meredith.”

I perked up. “Paul is with Meredith?”

Delaney cringed. “Sorry. I thought you knew.”

“How would I know? I’m out of the gossip loop.”

“And in a much better place than this, that’s for sure. Listen, Soph,” Delaney said, turning serious. “Make the most of your time out there. I hate the thought of you being in one of the world’s most exciting cities but staying inside your cramped little shared apartment because you’re too afraid to get out there on your own and meet people. Surely your roommate does something other than dance. Oh! She can introduce you to her hot dancer guy friends. They have the best bodies, and are totally uninhibited, too.”

“I know,” I said, guilt washing over me. “You’re right.”

“Don’t let what Paul did to you make you think all guys are like him. Because they’re not. There are good ones out there, too. And we’ll find them—one for each of us.”

As much as I hated it, my mind naturally clicked over to Leo and last night. As far as I could tell, most guys were just like Paul. The only difference between him and Leo—aside from money, success and GQ looks—was that Leo made girls sign nondisclosure agreements to try and keep his jerky ways completely secret.

My phone buzzed on my desk. Blocked number. My heart raced, thinking it might be Leo.

“Delaney, that’s my phone,” I told her. “It might be work. I gotta go.”

“Okay, but think about what I said. Get out there and have fun.”

I smiled. “I will.”

“And remember the dancers!”

I told her I loved her then ended the video chat. When I answered my phone, a deep sexy voice greeted me.

“Did you read it?” Leo asked by way of greeting.

“Yes, in fact I did. Twice,” I said.

“Trying to get to the head of the class, are you?” he asked. “Well, young student, I’d like to go over your work. Can I take you to dinner tonight?”

“To discuss the screenplay?” I asked, teasing a bit but also to see if he had more in mind. Last night would hold me over for a while, but not for long. Just hearing his voice made me crave him all over again.

“That, and whatever else might come up,” he said, and my thoughts immediately went south.

“Just tell me when and where.”

“I’ll send a car. Be ready in thirty minutes.”

“You