Page 24 of Good Girls Like it Dirty
Chapter Eight
“So where’s the intriguing woman who’s kept you busy all these days?” Nico Giordano asked, pouring some more red wine into his glass. “It’s been impossible to get a hold of you, man.”
Zaine scanned the area around the outdoor restaurant in an exclusive area of LA. He’d left Monique with his credit card and express orders to buy as many outfits for the trip as she deemed suitable—a recommendation he also expressed to the personal stylist from the upscale department store nearby.
“She should be meeting us soon,” he said, after a quick glance at the surroundings. He imagined she’d walk between the many occupied round tables of the trendy place, collecting glances from the waiters and clients. “What have you been up to?”
“Work, man. Lots and lots of it. I’ve been spending more time in LA than New York lately,” Nico said. They had been buddies ever since they’d met in college, and Nico divided his time between his real estate investments in New York, which he managed with his brother Marco, and the new ones on the West Coast, mainly in California.
Zaine took a sip of his wine. “Yeah. I hear you.”
Nico drummed his fingers around his glass, then a glint of mockery touched his brown eyes. “So. This chick. How did you two meet?”
Zaine angled closer. “She used to be my housemaid. She’s a French student who’s been working to pay for a language course. Smart.”
Nico whistled. “A French maid. No wonder Doug said you aren’t allowed in his house with her.”
Zaine waved him off. The waiter came and brought some appetizers, then left. The mention of Doug brought a bad taste to his mouth. Not only was his friend in the middle of the gossip, but he was working with Ashley to steal this opportunity from him. “What else did he say?”
Nico shrugged. “He just said that your new girlfriend is stunning and his wife didn’t like her. But Paula doesn’t like most people.”
“Exactly.”
“And he mentioned he’s taking Lara Annick out for lunch in Honolulu.”
Shit. A lump of frustration lodged in his throat, but he swallowed. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah. Listen, I’m tight with you and not as much with him. I told him as much.”
He brought his drink to his mouth. “Thanks, man. Turns out Doug isn’t just a yes-man, he’s also a weasel.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Lara is hard to get a hold of. I’ve seen her at a few events, but I don’t know her like Ashley does. I’ll call Ashley and explain I didn’t cheat on her while we were married. Maybe reiterating that will take her need to screw me away,” he said, making himself a mental note to act fast. He’d send her a copy of his cell phone bill to show her he hadn’t even called Monique until recently. Security cameras around the house to show Monique never visited or stayed longer than usual had to help too. Damn it.
“Hey, guys,” a female voice said. Emma’s.
Zaine tilted his head to find his baby sister sauntering toward them, waving. Well, baby sister no more, though he always thought of her as the toddler who kept stealing his special pencils to sketch Barbie doll costumes on her notepads.
“Little sister’s looking good,” Nico said, with an appreciative smile.
“She has a boyfriend,” he said, remembering Simon, the dentist she’d been dating for well over a year. “And even if she didn’t…if you’re fond of that nose of yours, stay the hell away from my sister,” he said in a steady, commanding tone. Nico’s stories involving women and the trail of broken hearts he left behind were legendary, but Zaine would punch his lights out before Nico added his sweet sister to the list.
“Hey, don’t worry,” he said, lifting his hands in surrender.
He gave his friend a nasty look, then his gaze darted back to his brunette sister.
“Hey, guys,” she said, pulling a chair and sitting next to them. “Is it okay if I sit with you? I was shopping and Simon has to work late. I saw you two from the sidewalk and thought I’d come in to say hi,” she said, draping her bag over the chair. “Hope I’m not interrupting some important man date.”
Nico chuckled. “Just catching up. Nice to see you. How have you been?”
“Busy,” Emma said, rolling her eyes. “I’ve been trying for a promotion at work, so I’ve been up at all kinds of crazy hours.”
“Oh, that’s right,” Nico said, scratching his chin. “Because you’re a translator? And you speak French.”
Zaine took a long drink and rocked back in his chair, already knowing where his friend was going with this train of thought. By now, Megan had probably already told Emma about running into a lady with a French accent in his home. He’d been surprised Emma hadn’t texted him the next day to drill him with questions. Not that he’d answer them, but shit, she sure always loved to be in the know.
The waitress came and Emma ordered a glass of sparkling wine and some more appetizers for munching. Most likely she’d still be here by the time Monique returned. Did it bother him? Seemed like his close-knit family would meet Monique by the time she left for France. They’d grow to like her, only to have to say goodbye to her and wonder why the relationship ended.
