The kid nodded, took the keys, and rounded the car.
“Come on, you miserable bastard,” Diar ordered.
Mitch grumpily followed, glowering as hard as he could. He wasn’t here to make sweet talk or business deals. He was merely Diar’s wingman. Mitch trailed Diar into the ballroom of the hotel they were at and headed straight for the bar. Diar noticed Mitch’s focus, laughed, and changed direction.
“Two whiskeys over rocks,” Mitch ordered.
The bartender obliged as Mitch scanned the room. The dining tables were set out ready for the meal, and there’d be dancing later.How joyous, he thought sarcastically.
Several women eyed him with interest, and Mitch’s scowl darkened. He wasn’t a piece of meat on display for them.
“Mitch, how unexpected to find you here,” a woman said, approaching, and he stared at her. She was vaguely familiar, but he couldn’t recall her name.
“Yes, a surprise to me too,” Mitch replied coldly. She blinked and then smiled uncertainly.
“How have you been keeping?”
“Fine.”
Diar snorted at Mitch’s short answer.
“Julia, darling, Mitch is in a bad mood tonight. Perhaps let everyone know,” Diar said smoothly. Julia glanced at Mitch, and the flirtatious expression disappeared from her eyes.
“Of course, nobody would want to upset Mitch,” Julia responded with a dark glare before she glided away.
“Jesus, who was that?” Mitch growled.
“Spencer’s sister-in-law, she’s searching for a rich husband,” Diar replied.
“Then she can search elsewhere. I’m not interested,” Mitch stated.
A woman caught his eye, and he paused. She was also familiar. She wore a beautiful evening gown, and her hair tumbled in curls, held in place by diamond combs.
“Seen something you like?” Diar teased, following his gaze. “Well, damn, that’s a Lorelai one-off design. I bet ninety per cent of the bitches here are jealous as hell.”
“The mysterious fashion designer?” Mitch asked as he studied the woman. Everything in him became alert. He knew her.
“Ah, she’s with Leon Ericks; that explains the dress. He can afford the best,” Diar remarked. But his voice came from a distance as Mitch focused on Erick’s date.
Jess! He was sure of it.
Mitch straightened, and Diar glanced at him.
“What is it?”
“That’s Jess,” Mitch stated.
“On the arm of Leon Ericks? I doubt it, my friend,” Diar replied.
“I’m telling you…” Mitch broke off as the woman turned around, and he clenched his jaw. “That’s fucking Jess.”
“Bro, you said she was a film set designer. How the hell is she acquainted with Ericks?” Diar exclaimed.
“No idea, but I’ll find out.” Mitch began to walk through the crowd, and Diar blocked him.
“You can’t approach Ericks like this. The man could break you,” Diar warned.
“I don’t care, I want to know why Jess is with him,” Mitch growled out.
