“No.” I look across at where she’s sitting at a table in the center of the room, chatting to a youngish, good-looking guy with dark-blond hair. She’s been talking to him for about forty-five minutes. The music and conversation is loud, and they’re leaning close together and look intimate.
“How close are you to strangling her?” Marcus teases.
I analyze my feelings and discover that I’m not annoyed, I’m jealous, but I can’t admit that to him. I hold up my forefinger and thumb a fraction apart, and he laughs. “I told you it’d be a tough mission. I’m amazed you’ve lasted three days.”
“It’s not been easy.” I watch her reach out and pick a hair off his jacket, and I frown.
“Ivan Harrison works for Equalicity,” Marcus says.
“I know. I investigated every guest on the list you gave me. But I don’t trust anyone who shows interest in her. Especially when their eyes are too close together.”
He gives a short laugh. “You might have to give him a pass. He’s a friend of the family. And I overheard him asking her on a date.”
I frown again. “Really?”
“Yeah.”
I look the guy up and down. “I’m surprised she’s interested. He barely looks old enough to drink.”
“I know what you mean. Look at the bum fluff on his chin.”
“And his trousers are too tight.”
“I know. Seriously, I hate the current fashion.”
“We’re getting old,” I reply, a little gloomily.
He sighs. Then he says, “What about you? Are you seeing anyone?”
“No. Don’t have the time.”
“Yeah, sorry about that.”
“It’s okay. I knew what the job would involve.”
“Shouldn’t last forever,” he says. “Once the situation’s sorted, things can go back to normal.”
“I hope so. If it stays like this, I honestly think Aurelia’s going to stranglemeat some point.”
“She’s all talk,” he says. “She loves the attention really.”
We both sip our drinks as we watch Aurelia laugh at something Ivan says. I’m unable to avoid noticing her stunning red curls, her beautiful features, her slender figure, and her generous breasts. “She deserves every bit of it,” I murmur.
Then I realize I spoke out loud, and I look back at Marcus. He lifts a brow.
“I’m just saying, it’s understandable that she attracts attention,” I say.
“Yeah.” He keeps his gaze on me. “How’s Penny?” he asks.
The mention of my ex immediately sours my mood. “Still bitter,” I reply.
“Dude… I’m sorry.”
I shrug. “Some would say it was justified.”
“Jesus, not me. If anyone should have been supportive, it’s her.”
“She put up with a lot.”
