Page 25 of Love in Times of Contempt

Eyes still closed, Ana grinned wide. "That's just California life, my friend."

"No, I mean Liam is the sun and it's making all of this possible for all of us." Ely splashed a few drops of water on Ana.

Ana ignored it. "He'd hate it if you called him the sun."

Ely sighed. "I know he would. But he's so darn optimistic— you know,sunny— about everything and, well, it was him coming into our lives that changed everything, right?"

"We could argue I came into his life and, as I come with a package, it's changing your life, too."

"Oooh. I like your version better.Youcame intohislife and made it amazing. He should be thankful every day."

Ana laughed. "We didn't start Jump Cannon Productions for the purpose of getting you here… but I'm so, so happy it worked out that way."

The doorbell ringtone blared from Ana's phone, prompting her to stand in the pool and stare at it for a second, stunned. Ely turned to Ana and they gazed at each other for another beat. The ringtone went off again just as Ely shrugged.

"Liam wouldn't be ringing the doorbell." Ana scrambled out of the pool and checked her phone. She unlocked it with the idea of checking the gate camera, but her attention went to her text notifications first.

Liam: Sorry, I'm going

to be ab an hr late

"Okay," Ana mumbled before tapping on the security app.

Someone stood outside, dispassionately looking around and glancing at the camera. Ana gasped. She tapped on the little button with the mic on it, which let her talk to the person at the gate.

"Alex?!" she called, hearing the surprise in her voice.

"Ana?" he asked, his eyes zeroing on the camera. "Hey."

Ana grabbed her phone tight in her still-wet hands. "I didn't know you'd come! Everything okay?"

His lips pursed. "It'd be better if I could come in."

"Crap, yes, of course!" She tapped theopen gatebutton. "Come in, just make sure the gate closes behind you."

Ana watched him go back to his car to drive in, before she grabbed her coverup from one of the sunbathing chairs.

"Did I hear right?" Ely said still from the pool, arms crossed over the warm tile. "Is Alex here?"

Ana nodded. "Yes, I— I don't even know, Ely."

Ana made her way to the door while tapping furiously on her phone.

Ana: Alex is here at

home. Did he tell

you he was coming?

Not expecting a reply in the one second it'd take her to open the door, she carried her phone in her hand. She reached the door and opened it, her wet hair dripping on her back.

Alex took what seemed like a traveling bag from the back of the car; he closed the trunk door with a loudslam!before he approached the house's entrance.

"Hi, Alex!" Ana said, letting him in. "This is a surprise."

He shrugged. "It's been about a month since you and Liam offered me the job. I need to talk to you both, see what I'd be getting into."

Alex didn't try to kiss her cheek, let alone hug her; he walked into the house and Ana closed the door behind them.