She smiles, rolling her eyes. “Well, I could be wrong. Those could be actual people behind those mirrors having actual sex all around us.”
“Who’s having sex?” Paige swings back to the table, an eager look in her eyes. “Eve, are you holding out on me? If you got naked with your hunky Baine security chief without telling me I’m going to be seriously pissed.”
“You’re already seriously pissed,” I tell her, moving the empty glass out of the way of her hands. “And, no, I haven’t gotten naked with anyone.”
“But you want to.” She sing-songs the words, wagging her finger and giggling.
It’s true, I did want to. Still want to.
But unlike Paige I’m not so free-spirited and lacking in inhibitions that I’m going to throw myself at a man. I’ve come close enough to that as it is with Gabe. And he still said no.
I can’t deny that when the doorman called up to tell me someone had delivered my Volvo, I’d been hoping I might find Gabe waiting for me in the lobby. His cousin Len seemed nice enough, but I’m sure my disappointment was obvious when I went down to thank him.
And while I’m enjoying spending time with my friends tonight, I can’t pretend I’m the least bit interested in meeting someone here at the club. Unfortunately, being in a meat market like Muse means dealing with a lot of unsolicited advances. The three of us have shooed away several men and even a couple of women since we arrived, but the flybys have been steady and persistent.
Paige handles them all like she’s directing air traffic at JFK. She’s been back and forth from the dance floor dozens of times, apparently discarding each prospect in turn, and for reasons I can only guess at. She’s got her standards, loose as they are.
“All right, ladies. I’m going on the hunt.” She pulls a small scrap of red lace from the pocket of her skirt and twirls it on her index finger.
Melanie gapes. “Are those your—”
“My calling card,” she interjects, smiling shamelessly. “He doesn’t know it yet, but one lucky son of a bitch on that dance floor is going home tonight with a smile on his face and these panties in his pocket.”
I practically choke. “You’re crazy.”
She laughs, unrepentant as she dances away from ourtable. “You should try it sometime, Boo.”
Paige melts into the crowd, and I glance back at Mel. “I worry about her.”
“Yeah. Me too.” She goes quiet for a moment, using the chewed end of her straw to chase some of the ice around in her glass.
“I’m really glad you came tonight, Mel.”
She looks up at me and smiles. “God knows Paige needs a DD. Not to mention a chaperone.”
I laugh, but Mel’s being with us means more than just her sobriety and willingness to drive. “How are things with Daniel?”
“Good. Great.” She nods enthusiastically. “He’s such an amazing man. So talented and ambitious. And he’s good to me.”
“I’m glad, Mel.” I reach over and squeeze her hand. “He’d better be good to you, or he’ll be answering to both me and Paige.”
Her smile seems fleeting, as does her gaze. “I know that.”
“Where is he tonight, anyway?”
“Las Vegas.”
I frown. “I thought you guys just came back from a Vegas trip.”
“We did. But Daniel’s got business there.” She abandons her straw and leans back on her stool, arms folded over her breasts. “He had to go back and take care of some things.”
“New building project or something?”
She nods. “I guess so. He doesn’t like to talk about the specifics of his work.”
I want to ask why the hell not, but before I get the chance someone taps me on the shoulder. I swivel myhead and find a blond man with sloped shoulders and an inebriated grin on his face. He’s wearing dress slacks and a button-down designer shirt with monogrammed cuffs. In his hand is a brown longneck beer, which he uses to point with at me. “Have we met somewhere?”
“I don’t think so.” I look away, hoping it’s enough to discourage him.
