“I didn’t say anything!” I protested with a laugh. “Youwere the one who took it there.”
“Whatever,” she said, but I saw a smile threatening to form. “I can neither confirm nor deny any details about my sex life. All I can say is…” She took a delicate sip of her drink, her eyes sparkling. “I’mextremelyhappy.”
Sloane and I shrieked like schoolgirls as Ayana’s grin broke free. She shook her head and covered her face with her hands, ignoring our demands for more information.
She and Vuk were so private, but it made sense.
Vuk Markovic was the most intimidating person I’d ever met. The huge, scarred billionaire was a notorious recluse, and he attended most public functions with the loving reluctance of someone indulging his girlfriend. He scared the shit out of me, but he treated Ayana like a queen, so I was over the moon for her—even if I, personally, was too terrified to date someone like him.
“Speaking of the men in our lives, how are your blind dates going?” Sloane asked after we settled down. “Find a winner yet?”
I wrinkled my nose. “Hardly. Dating in New York is like trying to find a diamond in a sea of crap. Shitty and not fun.”
“You’ll find your person,” Ayana said, her tone consoling as our server brought out our new drinks. “If you want to, that is.”
“I do. I just…” I blew out a sigh. “I want to find them on my own terms, you know? Being forced to go on a date with someone doesn’t exactly scream ‘romantic’ from the get-go.”
I’d tried to argue with my mom about it, but there was no fighting her on stuff like this. She loved to meddle in her children’s lives, and I was the only single one among my sisters. That meant I’d have a neon target on my back until I got married and popped out some grandchildren for her to dote on.
My eyes strayed to my bag. My phone was in there, along with my keys, wallet, lip gloss, and the stupid chocolate bonbon Sebastian gave me.
I wasn’t going to eat it, but throwing away premium chocolate seemed like a huge waste. What if I had a major crash out one day, and that bonbon was the only thing standing between me and a total meltdown?
It was best to keep it with me for emergencies (even if it came from the devil incarnate). Just in case.
“We’ll find someone for you,” Sloane said. “I’ll ask Xavier for help. Eligible bachelors come through the Vault every week. He has to know a few who’d be a good fit.”
I brought my attention back to her, my eyes rounding in horror. “What? No! That’s so embarrassing. I can’t ask your boyfriend to set me up.”
“Is it more embarrassing than having your mother set up your dates for you?” she asked pointedly.
Ayana giggled.
“Low blow,” I grumbled.
“You know what? I’m texting him right now.” Sloane’s fingers flew over her phone. “It’s girls’ night,butyou need a date for your cousin’s wedding next year, right? I guarantee we can find you someone better than those generic finance bros your mother loves.”
“Actually, she likes doctors. But I see your point,” I quickly amended when Sloane glared at me. “Text away.”
“Already done.” She tossed a wad of cash on the table and stood, her expression determined. “Let’s go. We’re finding you a date.”
Thirty minutes later, we arrived at the Vault. The exclusive nightclub was located in a former bank vault, hence the name, and for most people, it was harder to get into than Fort Knox. But since Sloane was the owner’s girlfriend and Vuk was a silent partner in the club, we received red-carpet treatment from the moment we exited our cab.
Our personal escort whisked us past security and up to the VIP floor, where the bartender promptly served us a round of signature drinks, on the house.
Ayana wasted no time in scouting out the crowd. “What about him?” she shouted over the music. She gestured toward a tall, good-looking guy with auburn hair. “He’s cute.”
“Yes, and he’s wearing a Patagonia vest in a club.”
“You have a point. I can’t believe the bouncer let that fly.” She pursed her lips. “Okay, what about him? The guy with—oh, nevermind. That’s either his girlfriend or someone whose ass hereallylikes grabbing.”
I let Ayana have her fun, though I was almost certain I wouldn’t find what I was looking for in a nightclub.
Sloane stopped texting Xavier to nod at my phone. “Should you get that?”
I glanced down to see the screen lighting up every other second with a new text.
“It’s my family group chat,” I said. “I bet it’s Priya. She’s been bombarding us with vacation pictures all day.”
