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He felt kind of stupid. It wasn’t like he hadn’t been with any women, and he just felt like an inexperienced teenager speaking with this woman. What the heck. He cleared his throat.
“I was hoping that Roldolpho had Malone’s prepare those little shrimp quiche. Those are so good and the BBQ chicken strips on the stick.”
She smiled, showing off bright white teeth.
“Wait right here, sir, and I’ll see what I can do.” She immediately walked away, and all he could do was watch her ass as she walked. It disturbed him that he wasn’t the only one watching.
* * * *
Mariana swapped platters with Tess and headed back toward where the cute guy in need of a shave stood staring at a painting by Pazzarr. He looked so sad and just annoyed at being there. He was also next to that business guy who asked her name yesterday at the building. God, he was gorgeous and totally intimidating. By the way Roldolpho and a bunch of other snobby people were staring at him, the man must be important. She felt that instant attraction to not only him but this other guy, too. It was so crazy.
She grabbed the platter, placed a bunch of quiche and chicken strips on the stick on another platter. She covered it with a linen napkin to stay warm then headed out toward the guy. She didn’t know why she was doing this. She didn’t flirt and she wanted nothing to do with men, but he just looked so sad and sexy at the same time. If she could make him smile, then she was successful.
Mariana headed back toward the guy. He was still standing there and appeared annoyed.
“I wasn’t sure you were coming back,” he said to her, and he looked kind of intense.
“Of course, sir, I said I would. Here.” She pulled the special cloth-covered plate out from under the main platter she held and handed it to him. He looked at the plate suspiciously and also at her in a guarded fashion. She leaned toward him. “I wouldn’t poison you. I need this job. Enjoy, sir, oh, and don’t try to figure out this painting. It’s a new artist trying to mimic an old one. Pazzarr Rafique,” she said then walked away. She looked over her shoulder just as he uncovered the platter. A smile formed across his face, and her heart soared. She wondered what the hell was wrong with her. She was acting like an idiot. He was probably loaded, too, just like the rest of the crew around here. She didn’t need any bullshit.
Her old boyfriend Gavan, whom she dated through her first two years of college and who told her he loved her and wanted to marry her, turned out to be a lying, cheating shithead. He also was greedy for money, so when he cheated with some bimbo named Bambi, whose parents just happened to be filthy rich, he knocked her up and they got married. Money was definitely the root to all evil. But she needed money to pay her loans and her rent.
She took a deep breath then released it as she continued to make her rounds.
* * * *
“Did you or did you not see the instant attraction between the three of them?” Freda asked Roldolpho as they sat together on a couch that overlooked the gallery below.
“Are you kidding me? I nearly was shocked by the electric current. It was so unexpected.”
“Tell me about the woman.”
“Oh no, I know that tone of yours, Freda. You trying your hand at matchmaking now just because you run an escort service?” Roldolpho teased.
Freda smiled. There was something about that young woman that appealed to Freda. She wasn’t sure what it was. From the seating above, Freda and Roldolpho both witnessed the interaction between the woman and Jameson. That poor, young man was filled with sadness, darkness, and pain. He was a handsome man and denied himself even the opportunity to explore a relationship. But the smile that the young woman brought to his face when she special delivered something Jameson liked was amazing to see. Freda was certain that she had never seen Jameson smile before. And Jax. Jax was all business and very assertive when it came to going after things he wanted. But he, too, stayed away from women aside from the one-night stands. She wasn’t stupid. They were both afraid to open up their hearts and trust someone other than each other.
Roldolpho was snapping his fingers as a server approached. “Tell Tess to come up here.”
The server nodded then hurried to a phone on the wall.
“You don’t know anything about her?”
“I know that she’s a hard worker. She works another job somewhere and is trying to achieve her bachelors degree.”
“In what?”
“Not sure. She loves the arts and knows a lot about it. I’ve considered asking her to become part of my staff, however, I’m not sure I’m going to be the owner much longer.”
“What do you mean?”
“Jax has been inquiring and I’m about set to move on to another project. Of course he’ll need me to stay on until he can find a permanent replacement as director of the gallery.”
Freda smiled just as Tess approached.
“Yes, Roldolpho, you needed me?” Tess asked.
“Come sit a moment. I have some questions for you,” Roldolpho said, and Freda listened in as Tess explained all that she knew about Sparks. Freda looked down below again as Tess prepared to head back to work. She caught sight of Sparks as three men engaged in conversation with her.
“Sounds like she’s hard up for money. All those college loans, that rent, and finding a full-time job. I feel terrible,” Roldolpho stated.
