Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 97525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
I drained the martini and stood. "Save your lines for her. I'm well-taken care of." I picked up my purse. "I'll see you downstairs in twenty." I counted out a handful of bills for the waitress and placed them on the sticky wooden top and headed for the ladies room.
I took a deep breath and stared into the mirror. I looked so different thanks to the wig, which had transformed me into a strawberry blonde, one with a short, blunt-cut bob. I’d spent over a thousand dollars on the hot and itchy hairpiece, but the disguise was well worth it. I hoped to never see her again, but I couldn't be too careful. And heaven forbid she recognized me from a magazine cover.
I tucked a fake strand of hair behind my ear and smiled into the mirror. The gesture looked friendly, but my eyes… they gave away the possessive hatred in my heart. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath and tried to release all of the anger I felt for her. Exhaling, I opened my eyes and tried again. This smile was better—less deranged and more genuine.
It would have to work. Straightening my green sleeveless tank into place, I opened the door and headed for Molly.
The stool over beside her was open and I took it, ignoring her as I caught the bartender's eye. "Flirtini, please."
I felt her soft touch, a gentle tap on my arm. "Flirtini? That sounds good."
Wow. That was easy. I looked over my shoulder and gave a small smile. The P.I.’s report really skipped over how pretty she was. Her blue eyes sparkled. They were open and genuine, her smile not forced or fake. Her tan was natural, her breasts looked real, and I could literally smell sexuality coming off her. I had a brief glimpse in my head of her and Lee fucking and pushed it away. “It's great. It has champagne in it." I nodded to the bartender. "Here, let me get you one."
"Get me one? Oh no, you don't have to do that.” Her eyes widened, as if buying a discounted martini was a generous gesture.
"I don't mind." I shrugged. "I could use the company." The bartender placed two drinks before us, and I pushed Molly’s in front of her. "Cheers." I held up my drink. "To taking opportunities."
She giggled and followed suit. "To taking opportunities."
We clinked glasses and then sipped. "I'm Britney,” I said.
"Molly."
"You here alone?" I asked, looking around.
She gave a shy smile. "Yeah. I like to get here early on Martini Night. Otherwise, it gets too crazy."
"I can understand that. I like a quieter scene.”
She took another sip and her blue eyes widened. "Wow! This is great."
So easily impressed. Maybe that was what Lee liked about her. I couldn’t deliver that naive appreciation, no matter how hard I tried. I gestured to the bartender to bring us another round. Drink up, baby. Drink up.
She was a friendly and talkative drinker. By the time she finished the second flirtini, I steered the conversation toward Lee.
"Any hot guys come in here?” I looked around as if I cared.
She shook her head. "Not really. I mean some guys, but probably too young for you.”
I swallowed a snarky response. “I don’t know about that. You have a boyfriend?”
“Oh, yeah." She smiled, as if the thought of Lee appealed to her.
I ground my teeth. "Where's your man tonight?"
She shrugged. “I’m not sure. He’s flaky. Sometimes he makes it by, sometimes he doesn’t.” She tapped the cover of her book, which she'd set on the bar when we started talking. “But that's why I bring a book.”
Oh, I bet he’s flaky. Tonight, his absence had been carefully calculated. I had a team of three keeping him away from this side of town. I sipped my martini and kept my voice mild. "That sucks. But you know men and their work... " I grinned. "He's probably working hard to spoil you rotten."
It was a carefully executed jab that hit home as her smile dimmed slightly. As if on cue, Marcus entered the bar, our eyes meeting over the crowd, and I leaned forward, gripping Molly's arm with false urgency. "Oh my God," I hissed. "My ex just walked in."
Her head snapped up, female bonding in full force, and craned her neck. "Where?"
"Tall, blond, and gorgeous." I ducked forward and kept my hand locked on her wrist. "Do you see him?"
"Sex in a suit?"
I fought a smile at the unwavering lock of her stare. "Yes. Please tell me he isn't headed this way."
"Not yet." She reluctantly pulled her gaze back to me. "What was wrong with him?"
"Him? Nothing. His residency was in San Diego, and I might have strayed a little during the time apart." I groaned again for good measure.
"Residency?" She bit on the bait without hesitation.