Sure, Xavier and I had reached a tentative understanding after Colombia. And yes, I was helping him fulfill the inheritance clause, which might be ethically murky since I was on the committee, but the will never stated members couldn’t assist.
Besides, from a PR perspective, the story of a prodigal party son turned responsible business owner was gold, so I was technically just doing my job.
Sure. The same annoying voice tittered. That’s why you’re helping him. Because of your job.
I said shut. UP.
I was so distracted by the shit stirrer in my head that I almost missed Alessandra’s next words.
“Maybe he’s not your type, but never say never.” Her blue eyes twinkled with mischief. “I think he has a thing for you. I’ve seen him staring at you at multiple events over the years. He can’t look away.”
“Not you too.” I gave up writing my review and exchanged my pen for wine. “We’re not in middle school. He doesn’t have a ‘thing’ for me, and he stares at me because…well, who knows why he does the things he does?”
The twinkle grew brighter. “If you say so.”
She sounded suspiciously like my internal voice.
Isabella, Vivian, and I had been a trio for years before we brought Alessandra into the fold, but she fit into the group seamlessly. I liked her as much as I could like any human (most of whom were deeply unlikable), but I did not appreciate being ganged up on.
“Perry Wilson never elaborated on that beach picture he posted,” Isabella mused. “God, we never see the good stuff.”
“Don’t talk to me about Perry Wilson.” I was still devising a plan to dethrone that sniveling, slandering toad. “Mark my words. By this time next year, his blog will be dead. I’ll make sure of it.” No friend ever served me, and no enemy ever wronged me, whom I have not repaid in full. Lucius Cornelius Sulla’s self-written epitaph.
There was a reason it was one of my favorite quotes. “Anyway, on to cheerier topics,” I said. “How’s Josephine?”
Josephine, or Josie, was Vivian and Dante’s daughter. She was less than two months old, and she already had her parents wrapped around her tiny finger.
“She’s great. I mean, she cries all the time, and I haven’t had a proper night’s sleep in a month, but…” A smile touched Vivian’s lips. “It’s worth it.”
I suppressed a grimace. Josie was adorable, but if I didn’t love her and her mother so much, the mushiness would make me gag. “It’s hard being away from her, but she’s in good hands.
Greta fusses over her like she’s her own daughter,” Vivian added. Greta was her housekeeper and Dante’s de facto mother since his parents were too busy gallivanting around the world to be, well, parents.
“And Dante?” Isabella’s eyes sparkled. “How’s he doing?” “He thinks Josie or I will break if he looks away for more than five minutes.” Vivian rolled her eyes, but her voice was filled with affection. “Did I tell you he tried to hire bodyguards to stand outside her room twenty-four seven? I swear…”
My phone pinged with a new text while my friends teased her about Dante’s legendary overprotectiveness. He terrified pretty much everyone around him, but when it came to his wife and daughter, he was a teddy bear.
XAVIER
Can you meet me at Valhalla in an hour? I have some important updates
XAVIER
P.S. I talked to Kai
My heart skipped a beat.
I wasn’t sure if I’d overstepped by asking Kai for help, but I trusted him, and Xavier needed assistance beyond what I could give.
Important updates. Did that mean he’d committed to a plan? I’d held off on pushing him about it because 1) I had a ton of work to catch up on at the office, and 2) I didn’t want to spook him.
But the clock was ticking, and he needed to get moving if he wanted to meet the May deadline.
“Sloane? Everything okay?” Alessandra asked.
“Yes.” I tore my eyes from my phone. “Everything’s fine.”
As curious as I was about Xavier’s updates, it was girls’ night. He could wait.
An hour and a half later, I arrived at Valhalla.
By a stroke of coincidence, Vivian had to leave our movie night early because Josie couldn’t go to sleep without her. Then a very drunk Isabella had tried to take The Fish out of his aquarium and pet him, which was when Alessandra took her firmly by the hand and escorted her home.
“You know how to keep a guy waiting,” Xavier drawled as I approached. I wasn’t a club member, so he had to meet me at the entrance and bring me inside.
He leaned against a marble column, the picture of casual devastation in a white cashmere sweater and jeans. Despite the fall chill, he was coatless, and his sweater contrasted sharply with the richness of his tan.
As I approached, Xavier’s eyes swept over my black coat dress, tights, and boots and back up again, where they lingered on my face just long enough to make my cheeks heat.
“I told you I would be late,” I said as a passing breeze ruffled his hair in the most distracting manner. “Though I don’t understand why you insisted on updating me in person when texts, phone calls, and emails exist.”
I fell into step beside him and deliberately focused on the impressive foyer instead of the man beside me.
I’d visited Valhalla as a guest a few times, but its splendor never failed to amaze. Gourmet restaurants, a Regency-worthy ballroom, a world-class spa, a helipad in case a member was arriving by air, and an exclusive slip at Chelsea Piers in case they were arriving by water—no detail went unchecked.
“True, but then I wouldn’t get to see you.” Xavier’s dimples made a dazzling appearance.
