“Ah, yes. Holding, not minding.”
Zara’s smile disappeared with a heavy sigh. “Where’s your little missus? The hot blonde who was riding the contents of your nightstand all across the internet.”
She certainly had a way with words. “I believe she’s talking to your friend right now.”
Zara looked as if that was an actual surprise. “Is that so? How good to know. Here I had told her to avoid June today.”
“I can’t tell if that was for her benefit or mine.”
“Why can’t it be both? She is clearly with you today. No sense for her to distract my best friend from having a good time. Assuming you catch my drift.”
I know she wants her. June fancied her as well. As much as Miquela hoped she liked her? That was not something she wanted to delve into. “What can I help you with, Ms. Felton?”
“Look, I’m gonna level with you.” Zara lowered her voice, cheeks downcast and eyes serious. “No one is a better friend to me than Sette. So, you know, I’ve gotta look out for her like I would expect her to look out for me. I’m not gonna tell her who she can and cannot date, but I’ve been wary of this situation between her and June ever since I first found out about it.”
“What is there to be wary of?”
“Sette isn’t… well, she isn’t like you and me. You get me? I feel like you and I are kindred spirits in that we both love women. Lots of women. Sette isn’t like that. In the few years I’ve known her, I’ve only seen her date on a handful of occasions, and they all ended swiftly. She’s a fucking curmudgeon if you don’t know her well.”
“So I’ve gathered.”
“She’s a good woman, but she’s not good at playing the field and, well, I’ve always worried she was going to get seriously hurt being so involved with June. You’re better equipped to handle a woman like that.”
How could Miquela do anything but smirk at that?
“What I’m trying to say is that she’s going to get her heart broken if she keeps seeing June. I’m on both of your sides. I likeyou, and I don’t want my best friend to get hurt. It’s best for everyone if she and June part ways. Don’t you agree?”
“I will not begrudge who June sees outside of me. I know what she does for a living, and she has my blessing. I wouldn’t have met her otherwise.”
“Uh-huh.”
I’m so full of shit. Miquela said it calmly, but inside she entertained fantasies of being June’s one and only. All her attention. All her thoughts. She could give June enough money to make her loaded for the rest of her life, and she would never have to do that kind of work again.If I said that, she would be so mad. “If you think Sette is going to be a problem, then I agree with you. I don’t want June having to deal with that. It’s bad for her business.”
“Sure, let’s say that.”
“I’m not sure what you want me to do, though. In the end, it is her business. Even if Sette causes big problems, it’s for the Manoir to handle, not me.”
“You can talk to June, though. She might listen to you.”
“You want me to convince her to let go of your friend as a regular client?” Miquela laughed. “She will not like that.”
“It’s in everyone’s best interests.”
“Everyone but hers.” Ah, shit. That’s how it was, wasn’t it?
“I can’t believe for one second she has actual feelings for Sette. It shouldn’t be that hard to do. I dunno, find a way to convince her. I’ll owe you.”
“Is that so? I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thanks.” Zara clapped her on the back. “I’ll leave you to it. Enjoy the wedding. I’m gonna go get some booze and a bridesmaid.”
“Good luck.”
“Thanks. See you at the marina?”
“Sure.”
Zara finally left, and Miquela had her peace, but she still didn’t have June, and it must’ve been at least twenty minutes between coming here and Zara’s leaving. Where in the world was she, and what was taking her so long? Was she caught up talking to someone else? Dinner be damned. Miquela got up and went to investigate.
