“You were right. Dante can’t take his eyes off you.” Alessandra smiled, a trace of sadness crossing her face. “You’re very lucky to have such an attentive partner.”
With her thick, caramel brown hair and blue-gray eyes, she was extraordinarily beautiful, but she also seemed deeply unhappy. Our exchange about the dress had been the most animated I’d seen her all night.
“It’s not all sunshine and roses. Dante and I have our differences. Trust me.”
“Differences are better than nothing,” she murmured. We exited the bathroom, but she stopped at the entrance to the ballroom. “I’m sorry, I’ve come down with a terrible headache. Can you please tell Dominic I’ve gone home?”
A frown touched my brow. “Of course, but wouldn’t you rather tell him yourself? I’m sure he’ll want to know if you’re not feeling well.”
“No. Once he gets into business mode, it’s impossible to pry him away.” A tiny, bitter smile flashed across Alessandra’s face. “I’ll leave him to his work. It was nice meeting you, Vivian.”
“You too. I hope you feel better soon.”
I waited until she disappeared around the corner before I approached Dominic and Dante.
Dominic’s gaze flicked to the empty space next to me.
“Alessandra said to tell you she has a headache and had to go home,” I explained.
Unidentifiable emotion flashed through his eyes before it vanished beneath pools of inscrutable blue. “Thank you for letting me know.”
I paused, waiting for more of a reaction. None came.
Men. They were clueless half the time and callous the other half.
Dante and Dominic weren’t done talking shop, so I excused myself again and wound my way to the bar. Discussing the ups and downs of the S&P 500 was not my idea of a fun Friday night.
A smile broke out on my face when I spotted a familiar glint of purple-black hair behind the counter.
“What does a girl have to do to get a drink around here?” I quipped, taking the stool closest to her.
Isabella looked up from the drink she was making. “Finally, the VIP deigns to drop by.” She garnished the glass with a wedge of lime and slid it toward me. “Gin and tonic, just the way you like it.”
“Perfect timing.” I took a sip. “Have I mentioned how amazing you are?”
“Yes, but I don’t mind hearing it again.” Her eyes sparkled. “I saw you coming from a mile away. I guess people aren’t interested in seeking out drinks when they can have the drinks brought to them.” The bar was empty save for a couple sitting at the far end, but the themed alcohol carts were a huge hit.
“I get paid the full amount no matter how many drinks I serve, so it’s no skin off my back.” Isabella patted her pocket. “I do, however, have a gift for you. Say the word, and it’s yours.”
I sighed, already knowing where the conversation was headed. Once she latched onto an idea, she was relentless. “Save your breath. I’m not having sex with him.”
“Why? He’s hot, you’re hot, the sex is guaranteed to be hot,” she argued. “Come on, Viv. Let me live vicariously through you. My life is so boring these days.”
Despite her naturally flirtatious personality and propensity for writing about sex and murder, Isabella hadn’t dated anyone in over a year. I didn’t blame her after what happened. If I were her, I’d swear off guys for the foreseeable future too.
“You can live vicariously through books, too. Stick to those because sex with Dante tonight? Not happening.”
No matter how good he looked or how my body responded to the idea.
Isabella’s lips pursed in disappointment. “Fine, but if you change your mind, I have strawberry-flavored condoms. Magnum size, ribbed for your—”
A light cough interrupted her.
Isabella’s smile dropped like a concrete kite, and I turned to see Kai watching us with bemusement.
“Apologies for interrupting, but I’d like to order another drink.” He set his empty glass on the counter. “I can’t get through another conversation about the latest society scandal without more alcohol, I’m afraid.”
Wryness touched his last sentence.