“I’m not like other people,” I told him.
Hugo narrowed his eyes at me. “I know.”
I started the car. Hugo backed away from the door.
“Hey,” he said. “Hang on. Shit. Looks like you got a ticket.” He plucked the paper off my windshield and handed it to me.
I opened it, using my body to shield the words.Hugo, three months.
I couldn’t tell if I was relieved or angry. The last relationship I’d had was four years earlier—for six months—and I’d been handed long weekends ever since.
But here we were. At the start of ninety days.
I pointed to his phone.
“Hand it over,” I said.
Chapter Four
Hugo is tucked up into his corner courtyard table when I get there. I duck into Laurel Hardware off Santa Monica Boulevard, waving to the hostess and descending the stairs to their back patio. It’s a beautiful space—tables scattered throughout and lights strung up from overhead trees. Casual, fun, and the food is epic. “Lollipop” Brussels sprouts, duck fried rice, and the best pan-seared salmon I’ve ever had.
I expect to see Natalie next to him, but instead there are three guys at the table, one of whom I recognize as the manager of this very place.
“You’re here,” Hugo says. “Amazing.”
He leans up and kisses me on the cheek. “Daph, this is Sergio and Irwin; you know Paul—” He cocks his head at the manager; I give him a half-wave. “And, guys, this is Daphne.”
I take a seat. Hugo hands me a tequila soda. My after-hours drink of choice. Now Hugo drinks them, too.
“We’re taking off,” Irwin says. “But look, Hugo, if you talk to Alexandra and she agrees, then we’d consider it.”
Hugo nods. “I really think it’s a great opportunity, guys.”
“Just let us know,” Sergio says. He turns to me. “Pleasure.”
“You too.”
They depart, and Paul goes back to work.
“Are those the guys talking about 820 Sunset?”
“Yep. They stayed another night to tour the space today. I canceled dinner with Natalie. She wants to fucking kill me.”
“What’s new?”
Hugo shoots me a look. “Don’t start. It’s been a day.”
“I thought that sounded like good news.” I point to the guys, to where they’ve just gone inside.
“Alexandra is never going to agree. She thinks commercial real estate is dead, and they know that. They’re playing me.”
Alexandra is Hugo’s business partner. I’ve met her a few times. She’s an ex–naval officer turned finance wizard, and somehow has time for three kids, to boot. From what I understand about Hugo’s job, he convinces very rich men (like Sergio and Irwin) to invest in very expensive buildings in the hopes that real estate is always on the up. 820 Sunset is their new prize.
“So,” he says. “How was it?”
I take a sip of my drink; it’s strong. I’m not a lightweight, though. I had two margaritas at dinner and just feel pleasantly buzzy.
“Different,” I say.
