“Yeah, a gorgeous human. Anyway, what are you griping about? Banging is a compliment!”
“You’re a sexist pig!” Prim launches a pillow at him before turning back to the TV.
“Calm down, Frieda!” Brin says with a stuttering laugh. “I’m a feminist.”
“Yeah, right. I have an even funnier joke. A male feminist walks into a bar. Because the bar wasjust that low.” Folding her arms, she swings around with an audible huff.
“What’s up with her?”
“She has a point. Not only is Mimi an actual human person,” I murmur, “but she’s also my PA.”
“That sounds like ayouproblem, brother dearest. And a reason for you not to dipyourwick.” Brin pokes me lightly in the shoulder. “I’m barely ever in the office.”
That’s a discussion for some other time. “She’s also my best friend’s little sister.”
“Again with theyouproblem. I never knew the bloke, so what do I care? He’s dead now, anyway.”
“I’m not sure what that has to do with anything.”
“Well, what’s he gonna do about it? Haunt me?”
“Have some fucking respect.” I rake my hand through my hair because what I want to do is slap him across the back of the head.
Unaware of my simmering temper, Brin drains his beer then sniffs, running the back of his hand under his nose. “Anyway, her brother would be rattling his chains at the bottom of El’s bed, not mine because he’s the one who’ll probably get into her knickers tonight.”
The fuck he will.
13
MIMI
“You’ve barely touched your champagne.”
“I’m not really much of a drinker,” I say for the third time tonight, the first time being at the restaurant when El tried to top up my glass. Now we’re in the club of the moment after a delicious (and very expensive-looking) dinner. The kind of expensive with a menu that doesn’t include prices.
“But it’s vintage,” El persists.
“I’d rather have a soda,” I murmur as his attention turns to his own glass.
I’m pretty sure El is just trying to be hospitable, not get me drunk. He’s been a gentleman the whole night. He’s opened doors for me, walked closest to the curb, and insisted on picking up the check, which I appreciated but didn’t like a whole lot.Even if going Dutch meant selling a kidney on the organ market.But I only agreed to come out with him tonight as friends, and El had pretty much stuck to that script. So far, at least.
We’re seated upstairs in what I’m told is the VIP area. It’s pretty swish; bloodred velvet banquet seating with tables dotted around made from golden spheres cut in half and upended. Huge, tubular chandeliers provides ambient lighting, the servers’ glittery minidresses catching the light like mirrored disco balls.
A girl in little more than a bikini, gold chains, and spiked-heel thigh-high boots struts past the table, El’s eyes, and almost his tongue, following in her wake.
I can’t help but laugh—I’m not offended—but tug self-consciously at the hem of my dress anyway. Black and short (thigh length, not ass grazing), it’s the most daring thing I own. Despite being long-sleeved, it cuts across my collarbones, and where the skirt and top meet, the fabric is slashed. You can’t really see skin unless I move. But I thought I’d looked the part—my hair tied back in what I like to call my sexy assassin ponytail, heels, and earrings that look like drops of silver rain. I thought I looked stylishandsophisticated. But I’d forgotten I live in London, not Tampa.
This dress is like a spot of Amish in a sea ofBaywatch.
But who parties in a little more than a bikini?
I’m gonna need to do some window shopping to get a sense of the style vibes of London.
“The music’s banging, right?” El’s head moves in time to the beat of the ambient dance track as his gaze travels over the heads of those on the dance floor below. The executive DJ in a silver dinner jacket and jeans is doing his thing, his minions moving to the magic he weaves. Magic. Noise. I don’t really care for it. I can count on my fingers the number of times I’ve been in a club, given the experience was one my parents frowned upon.
Too dangerous. Too risky. Those places aren’t exactly calming spaces, Mimi.
I don’t at all feel excitable. I also don’t think I’ve missed much.
