Page 31 of Last First Kiss
“They didn’t stick you with a bodyguard?” Julia asked. “They hired Ben for me.” She pointed behind her.
“Yes, but I decided it wasn’t needed tonight,” Rocco lied. Ben gave Annie a little nod. They’d discussed strategies earlier today on a telephone meeting, and Ben understood Annie’s role.
“You see, darling,” she said to her husband, “we could’ve done without him tonight.” She turned and looked at the bodyguard whose eyes were already focused on everything at once. Just like Annie should’ve been.
“It’s better to be safe than sorry, Jules,” her husband said, and she rolled her eyes and gave an irritating little fake laugh.
“So, you ready for Monday, Rocco darling?”
“As ready as can be.”
“Will you excuse me? I’ll get us some drinks,” Lawrence said.
“It’s going to be fun, just like old times.” Julia whispered, stepping closer to Rocco the moment her husband turned away. Annie had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from glaring or yelling or clawing out the woman’s eyes.
Rocco stepped aside. “We didn’t have that much fun before, Julia.”
“Don’t be silly, Rock. We’ll catch up later,” she said, looking at Annie and then back at Rocco before turning to find her dear husband.
“God, could she be more obvious? Poor Lawrence.”
“Who? Julia?”
She shouldn’t have said anything. She should’ve been quiet and minded her own business. It was just pretend and she had no right to pry. But once she started, she couldn’t seem to stop herself. “Of course, Julia. She practically asked you to leave with her. It was so obvious. Her husband was right there.”
He chuckled and moved closer. “Be careful, little Tiger, your jealousy’s showing.”
She glared at him playfully. “I just don’t like it when people treat other people poorly and that was a bitch thing to do to Lawrence, that’s all.”
“Yeah, uh huh.”
“I’m serious.”
“Fine.” He took her hand in his. He was so infuriating, she almost stuck her tongue out at him. “Come on, let’s go find our seats.” Rocco led them to the table, stopping to talk to a few people, introducing her as his date to everyone they met.
* * *
The rest of the night was more of the same. A lot of talking, mostly about the movie, Annie nodding and smiling whenever appropriate, but her eyes always looking around, making sure nothing was off. Julia sat across from them when dinner was served and she kept flirting with Rocco every chance she got. Annie tried to pretend it didn’t bother her, but hell, as far as Julia was concerned Annie was his date, and she was just being rude by flirting in front of her.
When Rocco excused himself to go to the restroom, Annie got up and followed him inside.
“What are you doing here, crazy?” Rocco said when he stepped out of the bathroom.
She looked up from her phone, where she was Googling Julia Vargas. “Waiting for you. You think I’m going to let you out of my sight?”
“Seriously? I can’t piss alone?”
“You did. I didn’t go in there with you. I just waited outside a good distance. People probably thought I was taking selfies or something ridiculous like that.”
He shook his head and escorted them back to the table. “Do you even have a gun under there?”
“I always have a gun. More than one, actually.”
“Maybe you can show me where they are later.”
She rolled her eyes and laughed as they walked back to the table.
“Crème brûlée, wonderful,” Julia said when dessert was served. “Remember that time in Spain? That little restaurant we ate in, what was it called?” She snapped her fingers trying to figure out the name.
