“I’m twenty-four. You just graduated from high school, right?”

“Yeah, so?”

“Well then, you’re a kid. Trust me; the next few years will make a big difference.”

“Okay, whatever. I don’t plan to spend more time with them, but now I’m curious. Why warn us about them?” I asked as we walked down the street toward the restaurant. Alex had apparently not heard my question or decided not to answer it.

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?”