“What’s it like working around so many men?” Alex asked, now all ten fingers playing in her heavy, curled tresses. “Do you have a rough time in what’s long been thought of as a man’s business?”
Topaz’s laughter was honest and unrestrained. “Actually, a lot of my headache has come from other women. Especially my mother, aunts, and such. Men treat me with a lot of respect. But then,” she sighed, tilting her head back to fix Alex with an exasperated look, “I have to deal with younger women who don’t like the fact that my business puts me in such frequent contact with so many men. Namely, their boyfriends.”
“Uh-oh.”
“Mmm ... it’s made having female friends a definite problem.”
Alex’s strong fingers flexed against the fabric of her top. He fought the urge to smooth the sadness from her face. Then he fixed her with a devilish smile. “From what I hear, having male friends ain’t so bad.”
Topaz giggled. “How would you know that?” she remarked, and their laughter heightened. “Hmph, I have to agree with you, though. Women are far too petty sometimes. Things that would break up a friendship between two women could be overlooked in a platonic relationship.”
“Mmm ... is that why you and Simon are still ... close?”
Topaz blinked, her uncommon gaze narrowing. “What do you know about Simon?” she whispered.
For a second or two, Alex was so absorbed by her gaze, he hesitated with his response. “I know you were about to marry him,” he finally confided.
Topaz wasn’t angry that he knew, but she was more than a little curious. “Did our relationship come up in a conversation or something?”
“I asked about it after seeing you with him at De’s party.”
“Why?”
“Because I didn’t want to step on his toes when I asked you out.”
The cool admission sent Topaz’s heart slamming against her chest. She could only pray that he couldn’t feel it. Her stare faltered only a moment before she met his gaze. “Would it have mattered if you were stepping on his toes?”
“No.”
“All right, all right, everybody! Give it up for the Jazz Scene!”
The boisterous instructions from the club’s DJ intruded on the moment. Alex and Topaz joined the rest of the crowd in applauding the five-piece jazz band that had been performing live sets during the party.
“Sit with me?” Alex was asking, his hand brushing her hip as he spoke.
Topaz accepted with a short nod and hooked her index finger around his pinkie as she followed his lead from the establishment’s lower level.
“Well, I have to say that I hope I won’t be stepping on any toes by accepting an invitation from you,” she was saying when they were seated at a small corner balcony table overlooking the dance floor.
“Meaning?” Alex prompted, reclining against the high-backed chair as he crossed his long legs at the ankles.
“Goldie told me what a playa you are.”
Alex’s laughter displayed a striking set of dimples. “Me? I promise you that’s not true,” he laughingly clarified.
Topaz propped her chin against the back of her hand. “Really?” she challenged.
He was shaking his head. “I’m way too busy to be out there like that.”
“I don’t believe you,” she countered, her teasing tone belying her seriousness.
Alex sobered and folded his arms across his broad chest. “Why not?” he questioned, fixing her with a steady look.
Topaz let her eyes drift toward the champagne tablecloth. She felt too uncomfortable to tell Alex that he was far too gorgeous to be a social hermit. She shrugged, hoping the gesture would suffice as enough of an answer.
“Does that mean you won’t go out with me?” he asked, while signaling an approaching waiter.
Topaz smiled and shifted in her seat. “You’ll never know until you ask me.”
“I’m asking.”
“Yes, sir?”
Exchanging smiles, Alex and Topaz called a halt to their banter and placed drink orders with the waiter.
“Well?” he prompted, once the stout young man had moved on.
“It depends on what you have in mind,” she replied.
Before Alex could enlighten her, they were interrupted again. This time, two short, handsome, smiling gentlemen stepped up to clap his shoulder.
“What’s goin’ on?” Alex laughed as he stood to greet Horace White and Stan Webster.
“Not a damn thing,” Horace remarked, shaking hands with Alex, while Stan moved to kiss Topaz’s cheek.
“Baby, you mind if we steal this brotha for a minute?” Stan asked Topaz, while his partner hugged her.
