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“Who cares?” Terri rolled her eyes. “Hopefully he won’t come back.”

“Amen,” Wyn muttered.

“He’s very young,” I pointed out.

“He’s probably the same age as you,” Terri remarked after she’d hung up her coat. “And I’ve already heard all about his badass pad, but I must say, the lighting and your bookshelves, and how great it smells in here—I love your place, Sasha.”

“Thank you.” I smiled, gesturing her over. “Come open something. The Merlot Wyn brought is about done already.”

She moved quickly, Marc following, and they immediately started on the charcuterie board just as Bing opened the door again, allowing a woman in before him and closing the door gently behind him.

She was beautiful, and when she took off her coat, she revealed a long-sleeved navy linen maxi dress in a kaftan style that I found stunning on her. I was a fan of her leopard-print heels as well.

“Hello,” I greeted her. “Welcome to my home.”

She moved gracefully over to me, clearly used to walking in heels, and reached for my hand. “It’s charming,” she said when we shook. “Talia Drake, but please, call me Tal.”

“Tal. I’m Sasha Norwood. Pleasure.”

Her smile made her pale green eyes sparkle. Combined with her tawny skin and dark brown hair pulled up into a chignon, she was flawless.

“May I offer you some wine?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Yes. I chose my favorite Sangiovese for you, which I’m sure you’ll love, and Bing chose the rest.” She did not sound confident in his choices.

I cleared my throat softly. “Did he forget you were in the car?”

“Apparently so.” Her voice was thin when she replied. “As though one gets out of a car oneself. As though car doors are not opened for your passengers.”

He had screwed up big-time, and when I glanced over her shoulder at him, he was shaking his head.

Wyn came around the side of the island to where I was. “I’ll get the wine. You put in the main dish, because your timer went off.”

“Lasagna.” Tal bit her bottom lip.

“I have a huge Caesar salad as well,” I assured her. “But so you know, my lasagna is meatless. I’m a vegetarian.”

“Oh.” She beamed at me. “Fabulous. I should have known—I see no meat anywhere on any of the appetizers or on the charcuterie board.”

“If anyone wants a burger, they can go get it after.”

She nodded as I turned to put the huge pan in the oven.

Terri and Marc introduced themselves to her and asked how she and Bing met.

“His father and my father attend the same country club.” She sounded quite pained. “They both thought it would be a great idea.”

I noted that she took a big sip of her wine.

“It’s a blind date,” Terri nearly cackled. “Oh, you poor thing.”

Tal groaned, and Terri took her hand.

Our researchers/writers showed up next bearing crusty sourdough bread and artichoke dip, lemon meringue pie, and bruschetta. Marc had brought garlic knots, so our carbs were definitely covered, and Terri had picked up a blueberry cheesecake.

Once Tal was sitting on my Chesterfield tufted leather sofa in oxblood, Terri on one side, Donna on the other, they really got down to dishing the dirt.

“I should leave her here with you and go hang with my friends,” Bing said, suddenly brightening and looking at me hopefully.