“Fascinating.”
“It’s at the Metropolitan Club.”
“I don’t give a fuck if it’s on Pluto. I’m still not coming.” I pause. “If it does get moved to Pluto, you should definitely go.”
He grins at that, like he’s enjoying me. “I’d have just sent you a text, but… you don’t seem to be getting them.”
“Really?” I say, feigning indifference.
“If you unblock me, I wouldn’t have to disturb you in the middle of your day.”
He actually has a point there.
“If you didn’t come and bother me at all, you wouldn’t have to either.”
Which is more to the point.
He pushes himself up, and I take another pace back, keeping plenty of space between us. He pauses, watching me. “It’s good to see you.”
Perversely, it’s good to see him too. “Get out, Alex.”
He inclines his head, turns, and walks toward the door. Pauses with a hand on the handle. “See you in two weeks.”
The nerve of the man. He didn’t even make it a question.
“‘No’ is like ‘yes,’ but it means the opposite.”
“It’s a big event. It would mean a lot to me.”
“Why don’t you take that PA of yours? The one you spend more time with than you spent with your goddamnfiancée. What’s her name? Nina?”
His eyes flicker, like he’s considering it. “Rita. She’s not my PA, she’s my Chief of Staff.”
“Yeah. Take her.”
“It’s not her I want, it’s you.”
I look at the wall behind him. “I’m washing my hair.”
His lips curve on one side. “Thanks for making the effort to get dressed, but there was no need. I’ve always liked those penguin pajamas on you.”
He opens the door while I’m still trying to come up with a retort.
“Friday twenty-fourth. Eight o’clock. Take care of yourself.”
The door closes behind him, and I grit my teeth.
It’s either that, or scream at it.
Seven
Alex
Monday evening, and the meeting DeLuca wants me to attend.
My first official appearance at one of the clandestine shadow-company sessions. Or whatever it is they’re calling themselves.
Perhaps ironically, it’s at an address in Westchester, a little too close to home—literally—to be comfortable.
