Page 94 of Craving Paradise
“Now that I can get behind.”
“I think I’m going to go for a run to clear this mind of mine,” Elle tells me.
“Go, you. I’m allergic to running, so I’m going to stay here. I think it’s best I test more of these treats, you know … for quality control. I take my job seriously.”
26
JASPER
Watching Alistair walking back after chasing the girl from The Paradise Club down, I can tell something happened between them. And I know it’s not for the best. Alistair shouldn’t be getting caught up with a girl from there, not after Miranda.Hypocrite much.Things between Lauren and I are different.Hypocrite.They are, though.
“The others had to go,” I tell him while packing up the rest of the stuff. “You wanna grab some lunch?”
“Yeah, I’m starved,” Alistair replies.
We head on over the road to a luxury hotel for lunch.
“You know what you did today was incredibly stupid,” I warn him as I take a sip of my beer.
“Don’t know what you’re talking about,” he says, ignoring my question.
“Don’t play stupid with me. That girl was from the club. Do you have any idea how much trouble she and you will get into if anyone saw? Lucky Alex wasn’t here today. You don’t know who is in and who isn’t,” I warn him.
“There’s something about her …”
“Jesus, Ali, don’t tell me you like the woman whose job it is to bring all your fantasies to life?”Hypocrite.
“Of course not, but you can’t tell me after all the years you’ve been a member that a girl hasn’t turned your damn head?” he questions me.
“This isn’t about me.”Hypocrite.
“Knew it! Here you are lecturing me, and you’re probably doing the same with someone from the club. You are, aren’t you?” Alistair glares at me.
“Fuck you! No! I’m not stupid. No woman is worth giving up that fantasyland for.”
Lie. Lie. Lie.
“You’re content with going to the club to get your fix?”
“Hell, yeah, I am. You’ve seen the shit Alex has been through with women. And now you are being fucked over by Miranda. Who the fuck wants to go through that?” I argue, sprouting the same speech I’ve given all these years.
“You need to get over your ex. She’s moved on, married someone else, and is popping out blue-blooded babies,” Alistair bites back angrily at me.
Wow. Ali and I never fight like this.
That’s low bringing up my ex. “I couldn’t give a shit about her. I wish her well!”
“I’m not looking for a relationship. I’m happy to be single after the dumpster fire that’s my love life,” Ali tells me, but I don’t believe him.
“Sounds like there’s a but missing at the end of that statement.”
“Fine!Butthere is something about her that I like, and I don’t know what it is,” he confesses.
“These women are experts at what they do. Do not misplace lust for something it’s not, and don’t think you’re someone special to them,” I tell him. This is the first woman he’s been with since Miranda, and he sounds like he’s already crazy about her. Alistair doesn’t look so happy with me or my comments.
“Look … I get it. There’s one girl there that …does it for me. I catch myself wondering what the hell she’s doing outside of the club now and then. But then I think is she like that withall the other guyswho frequent the club? Or is it only that good with me? The thing is, I’ll never know. It will drive you crazy thinking about it, so you need to put a wall between you two. Enjoy everything you do in that moment but know you can’t recreate it again outside the club,” I warn him.
I hate lying to my friend, but it’s for the best.