Page 32 of Good Girls Like it Dirty
Chapter Ten
“Lara,” Zaine said, “how have you been?”
The tall, slim woman with short blonde hair offered him her hand. “Zaine, I’m so glad you came all this way to help with our fundraiser,” she said. Lara had residences both in California and Hawaii, and often threw parties in both states to promote causes and raise money for them.
“Thank you. It was an honor to donate to such a good foundation,” he said, remembering the fat check he’d made to the AIDS group she sponsored. “Have you met my friend Monique Drummond? She’s very passionate about causes herself.” Friend. Why had he used that word? If he had said girlfriend, that’d put pressure on him once Monique left. Besides, he didn’t need to sound unprofessional. His heart squeezed and he reached for his collar, trying to discreetly loosen it.
Lara glanced in Monique’s direction, and if she was surprised by her presence, she didn’t show it. With a smile, she stretched out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Monique. What kind of charity work are you involved with?”
“Pleased to meet you.” Monique shook her hand, and he didn’t detect any nervousness in her voice or straight posture. Good. He’d hate for her to get worked up over nothing. Not every wealthy person was a jerk.
“I help in a different capacity. I’m arranging to work with children in impoverished African communities.”
“That’s delightful. What’s your company called?”
Monique waved her off. “Oh. I don’t have a company. I’ll be teaching them.”
Lara stared at her in silence for a beat or two, probably trying to get over her mini faux pas, then nodded. “Very nice. It’s good you’re so passionate about it. You’re so hands-on.” Lara then shifted her attention to Zaine. “Children are definitely a worthy cause. As you know, Zaine, I’m behind the project for a new children’s hospital just outside LA that should open in a few years. It’s still in the early stages.”
He cleared his throat. “Yes, of course. I’d actually love to talk to you more about it. It’s one of the causes that speaks to me as well, and I hear you haven’t hired an architect yet,” he said, making an effort to sound nonchalant.
“No, not yet. Listen, why don’t we meet for lunch tomorrow? I’ll have my assistant figure out the time and contact you. We can go over some of your ideas.”
YES.He fist-pumped internally. If he got a chance to have a one-on-one with her, he’d no doubt achieve his goal. After all, he was damn good at what he did—clients booked him years in advance. “I’d love that, thanks.”
“Looking forward to it.”
She sauntered to talk to the couple the next table over, and he mentally high-fived himself.
“Seems like you got what you wanted,” Monique said next to him.
“Lunch is a good start. Puts me in the mood for celebrating,” he said, kissing her ear. He felt her quiver under his touch, and his insides sizzled in response.
…
Monique flushed the toilet, then grabbed her bag. She was about to leave the stall when the main door opened and she heard a woman saying, “Have you seen the tramp Zaine brought?”
Her blood cooled, and she froze on the spot. Old fears clawed their way into her, paralyzing her for a moment.
“He actually had the audacity to bring her to my party,” the other woman said, and Monique willed herself to move, without making a sound, to see who spoke through the small opening between the latch and the lock.
Lara.
The woman who’d make the big decisions about Zaine’s proposal. Shit.
Red-hot anger flowed in her veins, but Monique didn’t make a peep. She remained rooted to the marble floor, overwhelmed by their voices and chuckles. Why were they so mean? She knew about Paula’s credit card debts that amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars, but Monique had never told a soul. If she wanted to dig her way into bankruptcy, that was her problem. Monique doubted even her husband knew.
“I mean, I get it. He’s separated and wants to feel good about himself, then went for a younger woman. But why bring her to this event?” Lara said.
The other woman snickered. “She’s probably good in bed.”
“Really, Sophie, don’t you have any filter?” she asked, and produced a nude-colored lipstick from her small clutch and re-applied it, focused on the task, looking at her reflection in the mirror.
“I’m just saying… French women aren’t known for only their slim bodies. She obviously does things to hook him.”
“Zaine’s a smart guy. I like him. I heard from Paula Benton that his wife ended the marriage, and he was so heartbroken. This young woman is probably some rebound romance,” Lara said matter-of-factly. “Nice looking, but let’s face it, it’ll never work out.”
Monique covered her mouth, wrestling to remain calm and collected. Their words stung, and a hot sensation that had nothing do with sex or attraction moved through her, like she was about to part with the delicious canapés she’d just eaten.
