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“I don’t know,” Eleanor said.
“And Wes is the missing guest of honour for this birthday party. Right?” Hedra said.
“That’s right,” Eleanor said with a laugh. “But he’ll be here soon. He’s at a client’s.”
“Ah,” Hedra said before staring across the room at Grayson and his girlfriend Ryan. She pulled absently at a lock of her blue hair. “When Chase told me that one of their clients was Ryan Shepherd, I practically begged him to get her autograph for me. He refused. Said it would be weird.”
“You’re a big fan of Alien Hunter, huh?” Eleanor said.
“Yes,” Hedra said. “We’re talking cosplay as Ryan’s character in Alien Hunter, go to every Alien Con, and own the special edition boxset of the entire series. I watch the reboot of the series starring her sister, Ryleigh, even though Ryan isn’t in it. Have you ever watched the show?”
“I haven’t. Not the new one or the old one. I keep meaning to catch the reruns they show on the Syfy network but haven’t got around to it,” Eleanor said. “But Daisy says that Ryan is super nice. I’m sure she’d sign something if you asked her.”
“Better not,” Hedra said before smiling at Eleanor. “I’m here tonight because I’m working. I don’t think Mr. Jameson or his grandmother would appreciate me fangirling all over one of their friends.”
“How’s it going with her, anyway?” Eleanor said. “I heard she’s… difficult.”
Hedra shrugged. “It hasn’t even been a day yet, but I can confidently say that she’ll be my toughest client. But I love a challenge.”
They both studied Boone’s grandmother, who sat on the couch. She wore a red floral dress with yellow running shoes and an orange, polka-dotted silk scarf tied around her neck. Alfie, wearing a matching polka dot collar around his neck, sat on her lap.
He stared unblinkingly at Hedra before baring his teeth at her in a silent snarl. Hedra laughed. “Alfie is not a fan of me.”
“Alfie doesn’t like anyone.” Chase joined them, a bottle of beer in one hand and a cheerful grin on his face. “Boone says he once chased the mailman up a tree. Now Boone has to pick up his grandmother’s mail at the post office because she’s on their ‘do not deliver’ list. Is that not the funniest shit you’ve ever heard?”
“He looks so sweet, though,” Eleanor said.
“He isn’t,” Hedra and Chase said in unison before grinning at each other.
“You don’t look half-bad for once, bud.” Hedra touched Chase’s shirt and eyed his hair. “Other than your hair.”
“At least it’s not blue,” Chase said. “What did your dad say when he saw it?”
“Nothing because I’m a grown-ass woman who can do whatever she wants with her hair,” Hedra said.
Chase just laughed before holding out his hand. “Eleanor, can I freshen your drink for you?”
“Sure, thank you.” She handed over her wine glass, and Chase headed toward the kitchen.
“My cousin thinks you’re hot,” Hedra said.
Heat rose in Eleanor’s cheeks. “No, he doesn’t.”
“Oh, trust me, he does.”
“He’s, uh, he’s very handsome,” Eleanor said.
“But he’s not your type, huh?” Hedra said.
“It’s not that, it’s just, um…”
“Eleanor, you don’t have a drink. Let me get you one.” Daisy joined them. “What are you drinking?”
“Oh, Chase is getting me some more wine,” Eleanor said.
“Shocker,” Daisy said.
Hedra laughed. “He thinks Eleanor’s hot.”
