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12
“Well,I guess we won’t be going shopping tomorrow,” Ninasaid.
“You’ll still need shoes,” Karen’s voice came from the phone, propped up on Nina’s coffee table, her image shifting on FaceTime as she moved papers around on her desk. “Andlingerie.”
Nina picked up the phone. “Why on earth would I need to buylingerie?”
“Do I need to spell it out for you?” Despite the fact that they were nearing the end of her workday, Karen’s face was perfectly made up, her lipstick a pinkish-nude that she insisted was more youthful than the strong lip colors women their age had a tendency towear.
“I think so,” Nina said, “because I know you’re not insinuating I’m going to sleep with Jack Morgan on our firstdate.”
Karen picked her phone up and her image shifted again as she leaned back in her chair. Behind her, framed cutouts of the New York Times Bestseller lists featuring her clients came into view before disappearing as she got settled, the phone refocusing on herface.
“Why not?” Karen asked. “It’s not 1950 and you’re not some blushing virgin saving it for her futurehusband.”
“That doesn’t mean I’m going to sleep with someone I don’t evenknow.”
Karen sighed. “That’s up to you, but I highly suggest some nice underwear at the very least. You neverknow.”
“Sometimes you do know,” Nina said. “And this is one of thosetimes.”
Karen waved away the comment. “Whatever you say. The real question is: which dress are you going towear?”
Nina tucked her legs up under her on the couch. “I have noidea.”
The three dresses were completely different, and while offering her a choice was a thoughtful nod to Nina’s personal style and preference, it wasn’t exactly helpful. Unless she counted slacks and blouses, yoga pants and T-shirts, she hadn’t had a style in at least tenyears.
“You should try them on,” Karen said. “That mighthelp.”
“That’s true. It’s possible they won’t all fit,” Ninasaid.
Karen barked out a short laugh. “Don’t count onit.”
“What do youmean?”
Karen’s expression grew earnest. “Listen, I want you to enjoy this experience. It’s incredible, but it’s also Jack Morgan’s M.O. He makes money and he beds women, all kinds of women. Enjoy it,just— ”
“Don’t think it means I’m special,” Nina finished forher.
“Neen, you are special. You don’t need Jack Morgan to tell you that. I mean, I’ve lived in this city for twenty years and I’ve never had a date with him.” Karen was being demure. She’d had dates — relationships even — with plenty of powerful men. “I’m just saying: he knows what he’s doing. If he sent you three dresses, they’re all going tofit.”
“Shit.”
“Want me to come over tonight and help?” Karen asked. “I’m supposed to meet up with an author who’s in town, but I cancancel.”
Nina checked the time on her phone and realized it was after six. She had less than an hour to get ready for dinner with LiamMcAlister.
“It’s okay. I actually have a dinner thing,” Ninasaid.
Karen’s eyebrows shot up. “A dinner thing? You mean adate?”
Nina laughed. “Not a date. It’s a friend thing, with that guy from the after-party, LiamMcAlister.”
Karen grinned. “So let me get this straight, you’re going to the Amfar Gala on Saturday with Jack Morgan and to dinner tonight with Liam McAlister? Jesus, Nina. You should be giving meadvice.”
Nina smiled and shook her head. “It’s not like that.” She said it even though she wasn’t entirely sure it was true. “He’s a friend of my new boss. He came into the gallery today and we got to talking about photography. He’s just being nice. I think he lives aroundhere.”
“Hmmm… Liam is nice, but this isn’t exactly his brand of charity,” Karen said. “Besides, I saw the way he was looking at you Saturdaynight.”
