Part 43 (2/2)

Elliot looks far too exhausted for what she has in mind, yawning: 'What time are we eating?'

Zo gives me a look as if to say: See, he's more interested in his stomach than s.h.a.gging her.

'I've booked a table in the Gold Rush Dining Room for eight,' Helen informs him. 'Shall we see you down there?'

'Definitely!' Elliot nods. 'Both of us this time.'

I think I preferred the La Valencia arrangement.

As I close the door on Jungle Rock it occurs to me that Sasha should really be the one waving us off with a spear.

'What's your room like, Sash?'

'Do you want to see it? It's right here,' she offers, dangling the key. 'Zo's choice...'

'The Tack Room?' I read the plaque on the door.

'As in ponies?' Helen suggests.

'Well, riding crops maybe,' Sasha mutters as she swings open the door to reveal a blaze of red walls, red doors, red carpet, red sofa and red leather bedspreads. Bright pillarbox red. I kid you not.

'You don't get these at Laura Ashley,' I coo, stroking the scarlet hide.

'There's twisted rope on the front of the wardrobe,' Helen notes. 'Isn't it all a bit bondage?'

'Yes, I'm going to tie Sasha to the bed tonight with her own hair!' Zo cackles, reaching to whip off Sasha's baseball hat.

Sasha leaps back as if she's just been electrocuted.

'Are you all right?' I ask, slowly moving towards her like she's a startled deer.

'I didn't want to make a big deal. This is your day, Lara.' She takes another step back.

'A big deal about what? Am I missing something?'

'No, but I am!' Sasha heaves a sigh and then removes her droopy cotton sunhat. No hair comes tumbling down.

Along with Helen and Zo, I suck up all the air in the room with a sudden intake of breath.

'Your hair!'

'Where's it gone?'

'Did you have an accident?'

Sasha shakes her head. Gone is the swis.h.i.+ng sound. All that remain are soft wisps of silk curling around her ears. 'What do you think?'

Helen reaches forward and rumples her flattened hair to life. 'Very Charlize Theron.'

'You didn't do it for Ty, did you?' I wonder out loud. 'To try and make yourself less attractive?'

Zo looks confused.

'No, honestly,' Sasha a.s.sures me. 'I actually did it for Oliver. And for me.'

'Who's Oliver?' Zo perks up. 'Is he a hottie?'

'Oliver is a mountain lion.'

'Is this going to start making sense some time soon?' Zo frowns.

'I know it's only been a few days but I think I'm in love!' Sasha swoons.

'With the lion?' Zo checks.

Sasha nods.

'What about Ty?' I ask.

'Don't tell me Ty's a tiger!' Zo tries to join in.

'No, he's the guy who's been horrible to Sasha,' Helen reminds her.

'That b.a.s.t.a.r.d, just wait till I get my hands on him!' Zo growls.

'I may just beat you to it!' Sasha shares a knowing look with me.

'Have you kissed him yet?' I so want the answer to be yes.

'Has she kissed the guy she hates? What is going on?' Zo is indignant.

Sasha goes back to the beginning, first explaining how Oliver would get freaked out at the slightest glimpse of her long hair (hence the haircut) and how the once-hostile Ty is now her suitor. And she, in turn, his suitoress. Then she answers my question: no, she hasn't kissed him yet. They're still just learning to trust each other she needs to know that he won't get aggressive and snipey again and he needs to get over his fears that she's a diva in disguise.

'But I'd say it bodes well,' she smiles shyly.

'Well, don't leave it too long,' Zo cautions. 'When you get back you've only got one more night with him.'

Sasha's face falls. It would seem she's found her groove at Tiger Tiger and, judging from her expression, the thought of going back to how she was before terrifies her.

Helen takes her hand. 'Trust The California Club,' she soothes. 'By the end of the week your wish will come true.'

Sasha looks confused. 'But I've already got my wish, I mean, I found somewhere where looks don't matter.'

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