Still can’t shut up about him, can she?
“Yeah,” I answer. “I would have thought he’d be your husband by now.”
A twitch of Carla’s trimmed eyebrow lets me know that stung, but she recovers.
“Well, you know what they say – good things take time. And our wedding isn’t going to be just good. It’s going to be absolutely perfect. We’re planning on having three, actually – one in China for Eric’s family, one in New York for my friends, and another one at a Scottish castle with just a few select guests.”
“Wow.” I feign admiration. “And how many honeymoons are you going to have? Twelve?”
She grins. “Oh, Eric and I are going on a honeymoon every year.”
Of course they are.
“But enough about me.” Carla waves her hand. “What about you? What are you doing here?”
“I…”
“Let me guess.” She touches her chin. You’re looking for a boyfriend, aren’t you?”
What?
“I can tell you still don’t have one. Poor thing.”
This again. Carla really hasn’t changed, has she?
She loops her arm around mine. “I doubt you’ll find one here. The men here, they have certain tastes. They want women who come from reputable families, who are refined, well-mannered.”
“Like you?”
“Exactly.” She misses the sarcasm. “Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying you don’t have any manners.”
Isn’t that what she just said?
“I’m just saying any man who saw you arguing in a courtroom would think…”
“That I’m an excellent lawyer?” I finish. “Or that I’m a smart, tough woman who’s not afraid to fight for what she believes in?”
“That you’re a bit much,” Carla tells me.
Oh. So I’m a bit much?
“You come off too strong is what I’m saying,” Carla elaborates. “You’re not going to wrap a man around your finger that way. Yes, you might get them to fuck you…”
“Excuse me.”
“And some might even buy you diamonds, but there’s no way they’ll take you seriously or kneel at your feet…”
“I disagree.” I hear a voice behind me. “I take my girlfriend very seriously.”
I turn my head and look at Leo with wide eyes. What is he saying?
“I can’t tell you about the kneeling, though. Jodie and I don’t really want to share what goes on in our bedroom. Do we, darling?”
Darling?
Leo puts his arm around me and Carla steps away.
“Just play along,” Leo whispers in my ear.
I lift an eyebrow at him. He wants us to pretend we’re a couple?
I look at Carla, who appears even more shocked than I am. She hasn’t said a word in the past minute, either, which I’m pretty sure is a record for her. Hmm. This could be an interesting game.
“Nope.” I give Leo a doting look as I place my finger on his lips. “No spilling our dirty secrets. Especially not to Carla. I don’t think she could stand them.”
Now Carla is the one glaring at me in disbelief. Yup. The tables have turned.
“Oh, right. Where are my good manners?” I place my hand on Leo’s chest. “Leo, darling, this is Carla, a friend from law school. Carla, this is Leo.”
“Her boyfriend,” Leo adds, rubbing the fact – or should I say lie? – in Carla’s face.
Carla crosses her arms over her chest as she continues to glare at me. “I don’t believe it.”
“I’m sorry,” Leo says. “Are you calling me a liar?”
She turns to him and her expression changes at once. What do you know? Carla’s found someone she’s no match for.
“No,” she says as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m just…”
She swallows, then holds her chin up and narrows her eyes at Leo.
“Who are you again?”
He offers her his hand. “Leonardo Ursini. Vice President of Operations for Ursini Holdings.”
My eyebrows arch. So he decided to join his father’s company. And he’s the head of operations now? Good for him.
Carla waves his hand off as she shakes her head. “I’ve never heard of it.”
Well, that’s just rude.
“We’re a private corporation,” Leo replies as he tucks his hand back in his pocket. “And our goal isn’t exactly to be famous. It’s to help other companies.”
“I see.” Carla nods. “My fiance is poised to be the next CEO of Zhang Shipping. I’m sure you’ve heard of it.”
I roll my eyes. Her fiance again?
“I’ve heard of the company, yes,” Leo answers, undaunted in the least. “Is your fiance David Zhang or Eric Zhang?”
“Eric.”
“Hmm.” He touches his chin. “I thought David was the one Lee Zhang was thinking of to succeed him as CEO.”
I didn’t know that.
“Nonsense. Eric is so much better than that arrogant, illegitimate half-brother of his. You’ll see.” Carla glances at her watch. “He should be here in a bit. We’re supposed to play tennis.”
“Tennis?” Leo asks.
“Yes.” Carla touches her chin. “You know what, why don’t you two join us? Better yet, why don’t you play against us in a doubles match?”
My eyebrows arch. “A tennis doubles match?”