Page 109 of Craving Paradise
I should check to see how Ali is doing at The Paradise Club Resort. He’s been stressed out to the max with every single day it gets closer to George and Miranda’s wedding. I thought him going to The Paradise Club Resort on his way back from the States might clear his head a bit or at least his pipes.
“Hey, man,” Alistair answers.
“What the hell are you doing picking up my call while at The Paradise Club Resort?” I ask him.
“I’m taking a break.”
“Of course, you are, old man,” I tease. “How’s the island treating you? Hope you’re relaxing like I told you to. Also, please tell me you’re enjoying what is on offer? I know how you get inside your head sometimes.”
“I will say today has definitely not turned out the way I thought it would.” Alistair chuckles.
“Did she use a strap-on?” I joke.
“What? No!” Alistair splutters.
Which has me in a fit of laughter. “Don’t kink shame, Ali. That’s not very progressive.”
“Your mind is a scary place.”
“You have no idea. Don’t leave me in suspense. If it wasn’t a strap-on, then what happened?” I urge him to continue with his story.
“I found her.”
“Found who?”
“Elle.”
He did what? No. I’m stunned silent as my heart begins to accelerate because if he’s found Elle, then he’s found Lauren.
“Jasper?”
“The girl who ghosted you?”
“Yes, but she had a valid reason.”
Bullshit.
“I’m sure she did. Ali, I’m worried about you. That girl broke your heart when she disappeared. I’m sure she has her reasons, but she hurt you. Fucking disappearing like that was cruel.”
“Never knew you cared, big guy.” He chuckles.
“Fuck you!”
“The night before our date, someone at the club told her they had just spent the night with me. She thought after I promised her I would only go to the club with her, that I’d been going there behind her back. She was risking her job to be with me.”
“Were you there?” I ask him. I guess that might be somewhat of an answer to why she disappeared. Still, it’s fucking the coward’s way out.
“Fuck no! I wasn’t there, but they said there was a Mr. King, and one of the girls working there assumed it was me. Elle said there was only one King on the books, which was me.”
“Did they type in the wrong name?”
“I have no idea, but it was convincing enough to make Elle bolt.”
“That’s strange. We should ask Alex … see if he can find out who the guy was.”
“He’s loved-up with Ivy. I don’t want to bother him. Plus, he’s going to ask questions, and I can’t get Elle fired from her job … she needs it.”
“I have my ways. I can find out.” I’ll message Jackson Connolly seeing as he’s practically my brother-in-law, thanks to Autumn and his brother.