Flight (5 page)

A few minutes later we arrived at Café Maspero. Even on a weekday night, a line had formed outside. Billy assured us that this was a mainstay French Quarter restaurant, and we had to try it at least once.

Eventually we were seated at a table in the middle of the bustling restaurant and we all ordered some sodas.

“
Where are you girls from?” Alex asked.

“
New York,” I answered.

“
The city?”

“
No, the suburbs.”

Alex got excited. “What part? I’m from Connecticut.”

“
Really? We’re from Westchester.” I was surprised to find another northeasterner. “What brought you down here?”

“
I came down for school and never left. This city has a funny way of doing that to you. It gets under your skin.”

“
Even more than New York?” Jess asked. “I can’t imagine loving a city more than that.”

Alex smiled faintly. “I thought that too, but there is just something about New Orleans that’s addicting. I can’t really explain it.”

I noticed Billy was quiet and tried to pull him back into the conversation. “Where are you from?”

“
Shreveport. I’m a Louisiana boy through and through.” He grinned.

“
Cool.”

As the conversation hit a lull, I decided to push Alex again on his comment about Levi and his friends. I had no intention of spending more time with Levi, but I knew Jess wanted to see Jared again.

“
You never answered my question. Why should we stay away from them?”

“
Away from who?” Billy interjected.

“
Those jacked up guys who are always at the hotel,” Alex supplied.

“
Oh, them.” Billy gave a disgusted look. “Yeah, Alex is right, stay away.”

“
But why?” I was getting tired of the elusive answers.

“
How much did your father tell you about the hotel? Did he tell you anything about who he bought it from?” Alex asked.

“
He told me nothing. For someone who wants me to take over his business he never bothers to give me any information.”

Alex looked like he was contemplating how much to reveal. “There’s just something off about them.”

“
Could you possibly be less vague?” I didn’t bother to hide my impatience.

Billy gave a frustrated sigh. “Fine, it’s like this. You know how there are no basements in New Orleans?”

“
I didn’t, but okay. What does that have to do with those guys?”

“
There are no basements because we’re below sea level.” He waited for us to acknowledge that we understood. “For some reason, there is still a button for the basement in the elevator at the hotel. But if you hit the button nothing happens, okay?”

“
And?” Jess pressed.

“
Those guys are always hanging out at the hotel. I’ve watched them. Whenever they get on the elevator the button for the basement lights up as though they are actually getting off there. It makes no sense,” Billy explained.

“
So first you say there is no basement, and now they’re getting off there?” Jess rolled her eyes.

“
I know. It makes no sense. Either they are going to another floor and making the elevator look like it’s going down to the basement, or they are doing something weird underneath the building,” Billy continued.

“
Whoa, do you realize how crazy you sound? Besides, what are you doing staring at the elevator numbers when they get on?” I asked.

“
I’m a bellhop. I’m supposed to hang out by the elevators.”

“
Plus, they are always with some pretty shady characters. And I mean shady for New Orleans, which says a lot,” Alex added.

I wasn’t sure what he meant by that exactly, but I went with it. “All right, so we should stay away from them because they keep weird company and get off on the nonexistent basement level of the hotel. Got it.”

Even though Billy and Alex seemed a bit out there on the topic, it still gnawed at me. I would have to ask my dad about the basement. If there was a way down there, he would have access.

Jess played with a piece of hair that had fallen loose from her ponytail. “They’re actually pretty cool guys, so you don’t have to worry. Anyway what are you going to order, Allie?”

“
I’m not sure, maybe the chef salad or something,” I said absently, scanning the menu.

“
No way. We came here so you two can try some New Orleans food, and that’s what we’re going to do.” Billy smiled.

“
What do you suggest?”

“
Let me order,” Alex offered.

I looked at Jess. “Should we trust him?”

“
Might as well.”

When the waiter returned, Alex and Billy ordered enough food to feed ten. I hadn’t heard of some of the dishes, but I’m usually an adventurous eater so I didn’t mind.

An hour later, I was so stuffed I could hardly move. I loved how flavorful everything was, and even liked the greasiness of it all. “All right, so the jambalaya is incredible and let’s be honest, what doesn’t taste good fried?”

“
Next time we’ll have to get you hushpuppies,” Billy said.

“
Hushpuppies? Aren’t those shoes or something?” I asked confused.

Alex and Billy burst out laughing.

“
What?”

“
A hushpuppy is like fried cornbread.”

“
Oh, wow, you learn something new every day.”

Chapter
Five

“
Remind me again why I agreed to this?” I asked as Jess and I finished getting ready in front of the mirror in the bathroom.

“
Because you’re my best friend and Jared is hot. Oh and whether you admit it or not you want Levi.”

“
Don’t push your luck.”

“
It’s going to be fun. We’ve been here two weeks and still haven’t left the Quarter,” Jess pouted.

“
True. It’ll be nice to see more of the city, but does it really have to be with them?”

“
I don’t know why you care. If you aren’t into Levi then what are you afraid is going to happen?”

“
Nothing,” I said quickly. “Are you ready?”

“
Definitely. You look awesome.”

“
Thanks.” It didn’t take long to discover that lightweight sundresses were the best wardrobe choice for the climate. Wearing a pink halter dress, I slipped into a pair of black flip-flops as we headed out the door.

Levi, Jared, and Owen were waiting for us when we got off the elevator.

“
Hey there Allison.” Levi blatantly checked me out. He didn’t look too bad himself, dressed once again in a fitted Lacoste shirt and dark jeans.

“
It’s Allie.”

“
Oh yeah, I forgot.”

“
I’m sure.”

“
Are you girls ready to see uptown?” Owen asked.

“
Sure, should we follow you, or get an address for my GPS?”

“
Neither.” Levi ushered us towards the door. “We’re taking the streetcar. That way you don’t have to worry about a designated driver.”

“
Will it still be running when we need to get home?” I asked.

“
This is New Orleans, it runs all night,” Jared said. I could practically hear him rolling his eyes.

We walked two blocks to the corner of Canal and St. Charles and hopped on the streetcar just as it got ready to pull away. Levi pushed my money aside as I tried to figure out how to insert it into the machine. “I’ve got this.”

As I prepared to argue, the car jerked forward, propelling me backwards into Levi’s arms. “Easy does it, darling.”

Carefully walking down the aisle, I slid into an empty seat and of course, Levi slipped in next to me.

“
So where are we going exactly?” I asked after glancing across the aisle to see Jess unabashedly flirting with Jared.

“
The Maple Leaf. It’s a bar that always has great live music. You’re going to like it.”

“
Glad to know you are now an expert on what I like.”

“
I’m an expert on a lot of things.”

Levi’s thigh brushed against mine as he stretched out his legs, and I couldn’t ignore the way it affected me. Leaning against the side of the car, I moved as far away from him as possible. With the windows open, the breeze cooled me off as we continued uptown. I watched the city go by, all too aware of Levi’s proximity. As hard as I tried to fight it, there was no denying my attraction to him, and I had a feeling he knew it.

“
Beautiful, aren’t they?”

I felt goosebumps from where Levi’s breath tickled my skin. His closeness was killing me. “The homes? Yeah, they’re gorgeous. Is this the Garden district?”

“
Yes. Home sweet home.”

“
Have you always lived here?” I asked.

“
Born and raised, and I never want to move anywhere else.”

“
Really?” My interest was piqued enough that I turned toward him. His face was only inches from mine.

“
Does that really surprise you?”

“
I mean you told me you were from here, but don’t most people our age want to explore new places?”

“
Why explore when you have everything you need right here?” His intense gaze implied he was talking about me rather than the city.

“
Yeah. Whatever.” If he thought his corny lines were going to work on me, he was going to be sorely disappointed.

I looked back outside, watching the beautiful large homes lining the street while trying to ignore the electricity that clearly ran between us.

A half-hour later, I turned toward Levi when I felt his hand on my leg. “This is us.” He pulled the cord to request a stop and we jumped off. “It’s only a few blocks from here.”

“
Have a nice ride?” Jess asked, grabbing my hand.

“
Splendid.”

“
It looked like you were enjoying yourself.” Her impish grin matched her tone of voice.

I heard Levi laugh but ignored it.

“
Yeah, I wouldn’t have thought you noticed. You looked pretty distracted yourself.”

“
Unlike you, I’m not going to pretend otherwise.” Jess picked up the pace, virtually skipping as she towed me along behind the guys.

With neon signs advertising beers I’d never heard of, the Maple Leaf was located in an unassuming two story building. Loud music hit me as soon as we walked into the bar. Still holding Jess’s hand, we followed the guys through the crowd onto the patio out back.

“
Owen!” a gorgeous redhead yelled out as she wrapped her arms around him in a hug.

Unraveling himself from her embrace Owen snapped at her. “Aww, damn it Hailey. I should have known you would be here.”

“
Don’t bother hiding it, Owen; you know you’re glad to see your favorite sister.” She grinned.

“
You mean my only sister.”

Hailey ignored Owen’s last comment, holding out her hand to shake ours. “Hi, I don’t think we’ve met.”

It took me a moment to process that her focus was on us. “I’m Allie.”

“
Jess.”

“
Nice to meet you. So you’re friends with my brother then?”

“
Sort of…”

“
Enough of the twenty questions. We met them down at the hotel. Allie’s dad owns the place now,” Owen explained.

“
Oh!” I watched as Hailey tried to compose her face into a smile but the look of shock was undeniable.

“
Watch it, Hailey,” Jared warned.

I opened my mouth to ask what the heck Hailey’s reaction was about, but she didn’t give me the chance. “It’s really nice to meet you both. My best friends deserted me to spend the summer abroad, and I could really use some other girls around.”

“
Wait, Beth and Jill both left already? Who are you here with?” Owen asked. It was funny watching him go all big brother protector on her.

“
I came by myself to meet up with Jamie. Not a big deal.”

“
Oh, okay, but don’t leave by yourself.”

“
Like I can’t take care of myself?” she said incredulously.