“I’m at a disadvantage. I haven’t heard anything about you.”
“There’s nothing to hear. I lead a simple life.”
“You haven’t always.”
“Yes, I have.”
“Even in the L.A. scene?”
“Even then. I’m careful in my friendships.”
“Like now?”
“Usually-I’m careful in my friendships.” That at least was true. “I must have been working too hard. And suddenly, you were here reminding me to take some time to play.” Lies, lies, lies; she hadn’t planned on touching Jake Chambers with a ten-foot pole.
“I can’t think of anyone I’d rather play with,” he said with a grin. “After you.” He nodded at the stairs. “I’m living mostly out of my suitcase; forgive the mess.”
She almost said: The mood I’m in, it doesn’t matter. But, opting for something less revealing, she said instead, “Not a problem.”
Six
Following her up the stairs, Jake took note of the flash of crimson soles on her spiky heels- Louboutin’s trademark. “Sexy shoes,” he said.
“They’re my fuck-me shoes.”
“That’s what I was thinking.”
She swiveled around enough to give him a grin. “I could say it’s just an expression, but under the circumstances, you might not buy it.”
“Sure I would.” He knew how to be polite.
“Let’s just say it’s part of the karma. I don’t feel like explaining. ” What could she have said, anyway? I don’t often do things like this. Like he was going to believe that.
“Karma-whatever…” He didn’t need an explanation or a road map to anywhere. Darling Livvi was one hot number, from her fuck-me shoes to her no-nonsense take on sex, and whether it was karma or good old luck, he was going with it, no questions asked.
Was there a note of equivocation in his whatever? Stopping on the step above him, Liv turned around. “Are you sure about this?”