| Chapter 11 |
| Alex rolled off the bed and slipped back into his undershorts. He kissed Kat sweetly on the forehead and said, �I need a smoke�no surprise, right? Wanna come with?� She agreed and wrapped herself in her robe, then followed him to the balcony. Once outside, Alex lit his cigarette and took a puff. He surveyed the items still sitting on the table and picked up his cell phone. �Hmmm�three messages,� he said, looking at the phone display. He punched in a few numbers and held the phone to his ear. He chuckled. �Kevin�� he informed Kat. �I guess he wants details. Sicko.� Kat looked concerned. �Don�t worry�I�m not telling him ANYTHING.� He reached for her hand, held it to his lips and kissed it gently. She sighed in relief. He flipped his phone shut and sighed deeply. �I hate to do this. He said we�re supposed to be in the studio in a few hours. Please don�t be mad,� he looked at her then and pulled her close to hold her. The moment she had been dreading had finally arrived. He had to go. �I understand, � she lied. Her heart was breaking as he softly stroked her hair. Alex crushed out his cigarette and led her back inside. He grabbed a piece of hotel stationery and scribbled some numbers on it, then left it on the dresser. �Gimme your digits, sweets�� he asked, pen poised. He wrote down her home and cell numbers, folded the paper into a square, then tucked it into his wallet. �I WILL call you. I promise.� She nodded. Alex grabbed his clothes and dressed, then used the bathroom. He emerged with a freshly washed face and a bandana over his tousled hair. She couldn't speak. Kat had tears in her eyes as they kissed their lengthy goodbye. �You are so beautiful,� Alex told her as he brushed a tear from her cheek, then slowly closed the door. |
| Epilogue Months later, Kat looks forward to his Alex�s calls and immediately breaks into a wide grin when she hears a voice mail message that begins, �Hey, beautiful! Wassup?� They talk regularly, and she now considers him to be a close friend. He still finds ways to make her blush. Kevin has asked him repeatedly to tell him what happened that night, but Alex has kept his promise to remain silent on the issue. After much thought, Alex decided to get work things out with Sarah and proceed with the wedding plans. Annie and Seth are engaged. They are planning a summer wedding on the beach. Their guest list includes Kevin Richardson and Nick Carter, and lots of Greenpeace members. Lisa is still searching for the perfect man, sifting slowly through them one at a time. |
|