Chapter 84

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Kate POV

Arriving at Planet Hollywood, we enter the casino and have absolutely no idea where to go so we wander aimlessly around reading the signs. "Ana? Can you tell which way we need to go? I'm totally lost and everything looks the same." I ask, laughing at her expression.

Ana looks around and suggests, "Let's just walk around and stay to the sides of the walkway. We're sure to stumble on it at some point."

That just makes me laugh harder. "We're going to look like a bunch of lost people and end up walking in circles." I can only imagine what we look like.

Ana laughs, "We will just have to play it off because I can tell you right now Alex and Rhi are not paying an ounce of attention to anything but themselves." She continues laughing. "They're just following like sheep. I mean, look at them. They're totally engrossed in each other."

Looking back at them, I smile, "If they don't fall in love I'd be surprised."

"You want to make a little wager? If they fall in love and who says it first?" Ana smiles wickedly.

I laugh, "I'll take that bet. I say yes and it's Alex who says it first. I mean just think about what happened at this last dance. I was obvious he was feeling the lyrics."

Ana purses her lips, "I say yes but Rhi says it." She smiles, "What are the stakes?"

Thinking about it for a minute, I nod. "No money. That's no fun. How about the loser buys the winner a shot?" Smiling, I raise my eyebrows and add, "I'm coming down from my buzz so I'm having another shot either way. We need to step it up a notch."

"I like those stakes. I'm down." Ana replies. "We can't coax them into it either. It has to be on their own terms and in their own time."

I look at her and smile. "Agreed."

We finally find the restaurant and walk up to the hostess podium to put our names on the waiting list. It doesn't look too busy so we all decide we're willing to wait. We're not there more than five minutes when we get called up to get a table. The four of us exchange puzzled looks.

I walk up to the hostess and she says our table is ready. "Um, these people were here before we were, it should be their table."

The hostess looks at me, "Aren't they the mystery couple? We wanted to let them in ahead of everyone else." She winks, "They're local celebrities."

I keep my face expressionless as I respond, "Please give the table to the next party in line. We'll wait our proper turn." I turn around without giving her a chance to react.

I shake my head as I walk back to everyone. "You guys will never guess what just happened. The hostess was going to give us someone else's table because she thought you were the mystery couple." I roll my eyes, "She actually asked if you were them. Yeah, like I'm going to throw you guys under that bus. Come on, let's go sit down and wait our turn."

As we're sitting and waiting, I notice people are looking over at us and I overhear some of their conversation. A woman says, "I really think that's them. I mean, look at her clothes. There can't be two people dressed the same with their arm in a sling."

Her companion replies, "I wonder what happened for her to have a sling on? Not that it's my business, I'm just curious. I know people want their names but that takes away the fun of the whole thing. The videos of the mystery couple are fun to watch for pure enjoyment, not to capitalize on."

The first lady responds, "Exactly. It would turn something fun and positive into something that the media wants to make money off of. Well, I'm not doing it." She says firmly. "$500 for just their names isn't enough to ruin someone's life." There's a pause. "Can you imagine having the media hounding you when you're just trying to live your life happily?"

The second woman responds, "I'd rather watch the videos without the details. I mean, it's obviously not a publicity stunt. Just look at them!"

Leaning toward Ana I whisper, "Did you hear that? Those people suspect that Rhi and Alex are the mystery couple. One of them mentioned the media wanting their names but she won't try to get them because the media only wants to capitalize on them. Personally, I think it's commendable. I wonder how many other people feel the same way?"

Ana looks over at the people, then down at her phone and back at me. "Kate, if that were the case why are there so many people taking pictures and videos of them?"

I think about it for a minute. "How else are they going to share the videos and photos? Just because they are taking and sharing them doesn't mean they all want to know who they are." I shrug. "Maybe the 'trend' really is to share happy things and not know who they are. I mean, did you see the fun they had tonight? I think it was awesome because, to be honest, it's fantastic seeing Rhi happy again. She hasn't had the easiest time since we got here. I think things will only get better now."

Slowly, the people who were waiting for their table before us get called up and we're next in line. Before Ana gets a chance to say anything, the hostess calls my name telling us our table is ready. I'm not about to use Alex and Rhi for freebies. Besides, there's no reason to do that because they're not 'official' celebrities. They're just normal people enjoying life. Not that I mind the special treatment and attention.

We follow behind the hostess to a table, which is in a corner outside on the patio. It's a lively place with live music and a lot of energy. Sitting down, we look at the drink menu. "I think we need to celebrate a little tonight. We all need one of their famous margaritas. What do you guys think?" I ask.

"I think I'll join you." Ana agrees.

I watch Rhi and Alex, waiting for their response. Rhi looks up at him, "I'm going to have one but I promise not to overdo it. I know I'll need my pain meds at some point but I want to enjoy the atmosphere and the night out."

Alex smiles, "Of course. It's your vacation. You deserve to enjoy it. The margaritas are actually really good here." He smiles at all of us, "I think I'll join you ladies." He leans down and kisses her.

I've noticed he kisses her a lot and it makes me miss Elliot. I wish he was here.

The waitress comes and takes our drink order so we turn to look at the food menu. To be honest, I don't think any of us actually ate properly today. We should all be starving. "Have any of us actually eaten today? I mean 'real' food? I know I haven't other than a few pastries we ordered before Rhi's appointment."

Ana looks up, "Same here. I'm beyond hungry." She laughs.

I'm pretty sure Rhi hasn't eaten since last night at the Hard Rock. I know if we bring it up Alex will be upset with her and I'd like to prevent that as much as I can. At least Alex ate the equivalent of what Ana and I did. Glancing at Ana, I know she's thinking the same thing.

"I had some pastries and fruit off the tray you ordered up but right now I'm starving." He smiles, "I will tell you this right now, the portions here are huge so keep in mind that you might need to-go boxes."

We scan the menu and after a minute Alex asks, "Does everyone know what they want? Rhi?"

Rhi is silent for a moment, then says, "You know, I think I'm going to have the chicken sandwich. I need something of substance for taking my pain meds later." She keeps looking and I can tell she's thinking out loud when she mumbles, "Though the chicken tostada sounds really good, I just don't like vinaigrette. I could always have it without it, or with cottage cheese. What really sounds good is my usual lettuce, cottage cheese and grapes. I wonder if I they have cottage cheese?"

Ana, Alex and I look at Rhi like she's lost her mind. "What the fuck, Rhi? That sounds disgusting. No dressing OR using cottage cheese? Blech." I roll my eyes and add, "You can't just eat lettuce, cottage cheese and grapes."

She looks at me and laughs. "Kate, if you read what's in it, it's basically the filling of a taco or an actual tostada. It's the vinaigrette that sounds nasty. Besides, the lettuce, cottage cheese and grapes are really good and I normally eat that." Then she adds, "Unless I'm drinking." She laughs again.

Ana and I look at each other surprised. This is something new to us. No wonder she's so tiny. "It all sounds gross." Ana comments. Alex says nothing but has a perplexed look on his face.

"OK, fine. I'll have the chicken sandwich. Sheesh." She rolls her eyes. I can see her lips moving but can't hear anything. I'm pretty sure she's muttering something sarcastic under her breath. I can only imagine whatever it is isn't very good.

I feel bad for jumping on her case about it. "Rhi, I'm sorry. You're right. It's your choice what you want to eat and the way you want to eat it." I smile when she looks at me. "Get what you want. After all, you're the one eating it and know what you like. You're an adult and can make your own decisions." She looks up at me and smiles but says nothing. I can tell she's not happy about the whole conversation.