Without Hate - Chapter 2
"Absolutely not." Alexis screeched as her blood pressure ascended Mt. Everest.
Sonny didn't even know she was capable of reaching vocal octaves of that height. He wondered what other heights she could reach.
"Hello, Sonny...Are you listening to me?" She wondered how he could make such a ridiculous suggestion then attempt to tune her out.
"I always listen to you, Alexis." Sonny chuckled. "But do I have to remind you that you promised to do anything to make it up to Jason. I thought you were a woman of your word. I guess only alleged mob bosses live by a code." He smiled knowing which buttons he pushed.
"Shut up with the code already." Alexis wondered how she'd gotten herself into this predicament; then she remembered and sighed deeply. In the three weeks she'd spent as Sonny's neighbor this was the first negative experience she'd had. Up until now, they'd gotten along quite well. Most mornings, Sonny greeted Alexis with a delicious cup of a special blend of his coffee. Generally, he stopped by under the guise of wanting to talk business, which they did for about three minutes. The they branched off to other topics. Most often, she found herself discussing Ned with him, probably more than she should.
Her relationship with Ned had become problematic since her change in residence. For some reason, Ned had become obsessed with the idea that she was attracted to Sonny. Couldn't Ned see Sonny was just a friend? Of course not, he was simply too blindly by jealousy. As she pondered their situation, she thought Ned would go ballistic if he knew she planned to represent Jason if A.J. filed charges.
To save her relationship, she planned a surprise for Ned. She needed to make him feel special. Out of anger, Ned decided to do a short concert tour around the East Coast. His first stop was New York City. One thing she knew for sure was whenever Ned was in Manhattan; he stayed at the Peninsula. So, she hatched a plan to surprise him in his hotel room wearing little more than a smile.
She arrived in New York, bribed the doorman to let her into Ned's hotel room and disrobed until she wore only a sexy, black teddy. Less than half an hour later, she was reminded that she hated surprises. When Ned opened the door to his hotel room, he was accompanied by a news crew. What kind of a doofus planned an interview in his hotel room? Alexis was mortified.
It wasn't until Jason returned a week later that Alexis learned pictures of her in her underwear were all over the internet and worse yet, they were being sold as posters along the roadside. Jason, sweetheart that he was, actually brought her one of the posters, which she quickly ripped into shreds. Fortunately, he gave it to her before Taggert hauled him down to the station to charge him with kidnapping.
Jason didn't understand Alexis's reaction to poster. He thought she'd be flattered because she looked great. Apparently, Sonny thought so, too, because when Alexis wasn't around, he asked Jason if he would go back and pick a poster up for him, too. He was curious about why Sonny was giving Alexis such a hard time about the poster now.
Sonny continued on. "'Lexis, you are really putting Jason at a disadvantage here. Everyone on the jury is going to be imagining you in your lacy underwear." He smiled. He'd hardly been able to think of anything else himself. "You know, they'll be thinking about you perched on the bed with the rose between your teeth. No one is going to be listening to the facts of the case."
Though he didn't crack a smile during his speech, Sonny laughed inside. He honestly could care less whether Alexis agreed to their proposal; he just liked to give her a hard time. The blush that crept on her cheeks encouraged him to go on. Before he could, Jason spoke up.
Jason had been standing quietly watching the exchange between Sonny and Alexis and he hadn't said a word. Yet, something about Alexis reminded him of a helpless kitten, particularly after Sonny's last comment. Jason knew his friend meant no harm, he just didn't know how uncomfortable it made Alexis to be thought of in a sexual fashion. Jason learned a lot about people by paying close attention.
"Alexis, I appreciate all of your help." She'd gotten him released the night he returned though Taggert made sure it didn't happen until almost 2 a.m. "Besides if this case goes to trial, I'm sure half the guys on the jury will want to date you. That can't hurt."
Sonny frowned, though Jason was sure he didn't realize it.
"Gee thanks." Alexis deadpanned. She grew more mortified by the minute.
"Alexis, I'll understand if what we're asking is too much, but it would really make my life a lot easier." Jason gave her a simple, boyish smile.
Sonny rolled his eyes. Jason was good, but he was clueless sometimes. There was no way Alexis was going to agree to their request, not for all the charm in the world. That was exactly why Sonny decided to have a little fun with her instead.
Alexis ran her hands over her face. She knew she would regret this conversation some day. "Fine. Against my better judgment, Carly can move in with me, but only on a trial basis."
Sonny's jaw dropped. Alexis actually agreed to let Carly move in with her. It was Jason's idea, but Sonny never thought she'd go for it. He figured if she lived with Alexis, Carly would be close enough for him to keep an eye on. He also knew that if AJ came around and tried to scare Carly, Alexis would shut him down. "Thanks Alexis. I won't forget it."
"Only for you." Alexis patted Jason's cheek.
The two men watched as she left PH4. As soon as she was out of earshot, Sonny asked, "What did she mean, only for you?"
