"Through mutual friends," Miller tells her.
I grow grateful for their ability to fill in the gaps because my brain can't handle the overload at the moment. Between the booze and the kiss and the daughter of my enemy standing in front of me, I can't quite think straight.
"Interesting," London purrs.
I want to ask them how they know each other but I have no doubt it will be some sugar-coated lie just like the ones already told. I'm well aware of who London is, and that Miller is involved in sketchy shit, but I'm still an outsider, and they aren't going to openly discuss that to me.
Still, the intrusive thought of whether Miller and Londonknoweach other nags at me more than I'd like to admit.
She's gorgeous and very much in that lifestyle. Being with someone like her would be more beneficial than a nobody like me.
And according to what I've heard, Ricardo is looking to sell his daughter to someone. Miller probably has the means to make that happen, aligning himself with a powerful man and getting a beautiful wife out of the deal. I don't have anything to offer Miller other than debt, excessive anxiety, and depression.
Why he would waste his time with me, I have no idea.
His money, too. I can't believe he bought a unit in the building I was decorating just to have a chance to see me. Now the reasoning behind the stack of cash and Black Amex makes more sense, but the fact that he chose me doesn't quite add up.
Miller glances down at me, his stare powerful and magnetic. "You okay?"
I force a smile. "Yeah, great."
"It was great to see both of you," London says. "Miller, do you mind if I have a word with Cora alone?"
He looks at me again before giving her an answer.
I nod approval and he releases me, latching onto the bag he had discarded when he kissed me.
"I'll put this in the car," he tells us.
London grins and weaves her arm through mine and tugs me a few feet away from Miller’s Porsche. "I overheard Daddy talking about you being friends with Simon Beckett, is that true?"
"Maybe," I say. "Why?"
London glances over her shoulder at Miller. "You're hanging around some very powerful men, Cora, and Daddy is picking up on that. You need to be careful or he's going to make an example out of you."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, you should tread lightly with who you're dating in public. If he catches wind of this, there's no telling what he'll do."
"Why are you telling me this?" I ask her, unsure what she has to gain from it.
London sighs and rubs my arm. "You seem like a nice girl, Cora. I'd hate to see you end up like Daddy's last pet."
Miller approaches and London immediately shifts her tone.
"We have to get together soon," she coos and hugs me quickly. "You did a good job with your makeup," London whispers into my ear. "Can't even tell." She releases me, holding my shoulders at length. "Text me and we'll catch up."
Lies piled on top of lies and I can't tell if any of it is the truth.
We don't have each other's numbers. We never met at a party. And the first and only time I had seen her prior to today was when her father humiliated me and gave her shit for her outfit.
There's no doubt that he wouldn't do the same right now—her cleavage spilling out of her floral fitted top, her midriff exposed, and the pants she's wearing hugging every curve of her body. She looks like a high-class rich girl, but I'm sure Ricardo would have something negative to say.
"For sure," I tell her anyway to continue the charade.
London waves before leaving us behind, clutching her Gucci bag at her side and prancing along to the shopping center just past the restaurant we're parked in front of.
"What was that all about?" Miller asks me.
