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Mercy clapped her hands in glee. “I love it. It makes those cheekbones look even more incredible. Although…” She paused, her expression sobering. “You’ve given up your modeling career, then?”
She nodded. “Yes, I’m finally free of Fantasy. No more ivory tower for me, it’s time to get a proper job.” The mention of her ivory tower brought with it thoughts of Ty and the way he’d sneered the words at her the night he’d come to rescue her from her own stupidity. Which suddenly felt like several lifetimes ago, instead of just a fortnight. She swallowed the lump in her throat.
Good grief, Zel. Now you’re even getting sentimental about his sneer? Seriously?
Mercy grinned, and leaned across the booth to squeeze Zelda’s hand. “That’s wonderful; it’s the right thing for you.”
“Yes, it is.”
Dawn toasted her with the Guinness glass in her hand. “That’s terrific, Zel. I’m so glad you finally took the leap. Have you thought about what you’re going to do for your new career?”
“Actually, I have. The only thing I’m any good at—other than looking good with hair—is my language skills. So I’ve been checking out classes—I’m thinking of becoming an interpreter.” The truth was, she’d never even thought of it until she had checked out the site for the Legal Aid Society—because she’d had an insane urge to look at Ty’s picture—and seen an ad for volunteer translators. She wouldn’t consider working in the same office as Ty, but it had made her think about how much she admired him for what he did, and how she could be useful, too. Maybe not as useful as him, but certainly helpful. Of course, she’d had an awkward moment, when it had occurred to her that even though she’d broken it off she might be looking for his approval, but had discarded the idea. After all, she was never going to see him again.
“Wow, you look amazing, Zel. Love the cute and sassy new do.” Faith arrived at the booth, toting a jug of the virgin mojitos she always made up especially for Zel. “When did you get that done?”
“Um…” Zel wrapped her hand round her neck, to cover the burning sensation at her nape. “Over the Labor Day weekend.” At the barbershop next to your brother’s house barge, before I screwed him to within an inch of his life.
Faith poured Zelda a glass of the fizzy apple juice and lime and mint concoction. The pub didn’t usually sell cocktails, but Faith had learned how to make this one for Zel, so she didn’t feel left out during their girls’ night. Guilt made the blush on Zel’s neck spread across her collarbone.
“How did everything work out in Sheepshead Bay? Did Ty manage to bust you out of jail?” Faith said, grinning.
“Zelda was in jail?” Mercy sounded more amused than shocked. “What for this time?”
“She went skinny dipping on Manhattan Beach and got arrested,” Faith supplied, a little too helpfully.
“I did not,” Zelda managed, the blush going radioactive. “I had underwear on and it was only a citation. Ty paid the fine, so I need to give you a check to pay him back.” Stupid she hadn’t done that already, but somehow it had felt too final. Too much like the end.
“I told you he’d help you out,” Faith said, her voice thick with pride. “He can be an awesome big brother when he’s not being too overbearing.”
“Unlike the one Zel got stuck with,” Mercy said, the caustic edge in her voice surprising Zelda. She knew Mercy didn’t have much time for Seb, even though she’d once had a huge crush on him at school. But it wasn’t like Mercy to be too critical of anyone. She usually saw the best in people.
Then again, Seb didn’t really have a lot of redeeming features. There was that.
“Hey, by the way, did Ty manage to reach you?” Faith cut in. “He called me a week ago for your number. Said he needed to talk to you about something. I guess it was to do with your midnight skinny dip,” Faith added, still teasing.
“Um, yes, he did. It’s all sorted,” Zel lied again, the guilty blush incinerating her neck and working its way into her cheeks. Thank God for the low lighting in the shadowy booth. Even so, she raised the icy mojito glass to roll it across her brow before she caught fire.
Faith looked at her quizzically. “Are you okay? I could turn up the air conditioning in here. You look a little hot?”
“Maybe you need another midnight swim?” Dawn said, not at all helpfully. “Then again, two arrests in one month would be a record, even for you.”
“Ha ha, so glad you guys can see the funny side,” Zel hissed, because she was not seeing the funny side, at all. “I told you, it was only a citation. And Officers Kelly and Mendoza only fined me so they would have a good excuse to take me back to the station house. They were worried about my safety.”
“Ah, New York’s finest.” Faith heaved an exaggerated sigh. “I hope they were both really hot.”
“They were both almost as old as your pop, actually,’ Zel said, trying to redirect the conversation away from the extremely dangerous topic of hot men.
“Silver foxes, then? Maybe?” Dawn asked.
“Behave yourself,” Mercy said. “You don’t need a silver fox, now you’re cohabiting with the scorchingly hot Finn Sullivan.”
“Do you mind if we don’t talk about how scorchingly hot my brother is?” Faith said, plaintively.
“As the woman who had her hands on your brother’s exceptionally hot nekkid butt this morning, I’m afraid I do mind,” Dawn piped up, sending Faith a cheeky grin.
“Gee, thanks, Dawn,” Faith grinned back, taking the familiar teasing in stride.
Zelda bit her bottom lip to hold in her groan of distress.
