Part 39 (1/2)
He laughs. 'No, you deserve someone wonderful. Someone with as big a heart as you. But preferably not such a big mouth.'
I give him a playful punch and he pulls me into a hug.
I can feel all the love he has to give and I pray that Sasha is going to get the benefit.
'Are you staying over?' he asks.
'No, I literally just came by for an hour. I've got to get back to LA by 6pm.'
'LA?' He grimaces. 'What are you doing there?'
'Hanging with movie stars, stylists, manicurists your kinda people. I'll send them your love.'
He smiles and looks down into his empty coffee cup.
'I'll get you another.'
'Thanks.'
As I get up he clasps my hand, keeping hold until our arms are fully extended and I have to let go.
I walk back to the kitchen in a daze, not quite believing that I've got away with confronting Ty without getting lacerated. I've got to meet this Martha woman. She certainly knows her onions.
'Are you okay?' Sasha scrambles over to me as I set the coffee cup down on the side.
'Yeah, I'm fine. He's fine,' I smile at Sasha, wondering how I'm going to sum up the conversation for her.
'What did you talk about? Did you find out-'
'Basically he likes you.' I cut to the chase.
'What? I don't think so!' Sasha fl.u.s.ters but her eyes flash pleasure and hope and excitement. 'Did he actually say that?'
I smile knowingly. 'You're going to have to be gentle with him, he's got some issues.'
'Big bad issues?' Sasha asks, looking nervous.
'I think they're get-over-able. He hasn't told me the full story. Just take it slow and let him see the real you.'
'Whoever that is,' Sasha worries.
'Well, we've got mad and brave for starters, right?'
She smiles shyly.
I take her hands. 'This is your chance, Sasha. He's as interested in discovering your personality as you are.'
'I could use an extra pair of eyes!'
I laugh, 'You can do it!' My eyes flick to the clock. 'I'm so late, I've got to go.'
Sasha squeezes me tightly. 'Oh Lara!'
'I want daily updates. Promise?'
Her eyes are misty as she pulls back: 'I couldn't have done any of this without you. I felt like a leper being such a misery but you weren't afraid to get close.'
'I'm just sorry I didn't know how you were feeling before we came out here. I wish I could have done something sooner.'
'It doesn't matter now,' Sasha says, bravely. 'I'm just so relieved to be feeling vaguely human again.'
'I guess that's what happens when you surround yourself with animals,' I wink. 'Anyway, it's Helen we should be thanking.'
'I want to thank you both,' Sasha a.s.serts. 'It's not an either-or thing.'
I smile to myself. 'No, it's not. There's enough love for everyone.'
I pour a fresh cup of coffee and hand it to her. 'He needs a top-up.'
'Are you sure?'
I nod. If those two haven't got it on by the end of the week I'll eat Ryan's rumpsteak. Raw. With extra flies!
Chapter 30.
As I drive back to LA, I dial Helen and go hands-free. (On the phone that is, not the steering wheel.) She's overdue for an update and the latest developments make for headline news.
'Poor Sasha!' she gasps, losing her usual ”it's all part of the plan” cool. 'Is she okay?'
I tell her I'm convinced everything will be peachy-keen but that The California Club should be on alert, just in case.
'Gotcha,' Helen says, still sounding shaken. Thank goodness you were there.'
'It's fine. I'm going to pick up Zo from work now but if there's any more problems we'll be back at Tiger Tiger like a shot.'
'Don't you worry about that, I'll check on her. You girls just concentrate on enjoying yourselves,' Helen resumes control.
'Oh yeah, we'll be living the high life,' I mutter. That was a pretty harsh trick to play on Zo have you seen where she's staying?'
'Harsh trick or a reminder of how far she's come you decide.'
Helen stands strong in her defense of The California Club. 'So what are you gals doing tonight?' she asks, on a lighter note.
'Well, actually Joel is arranging some kind of treat. I think he feels Zo needs a little glamour to balance out the grease.'
'That's sweet. So he wasn't just a Yosemite fling?'