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Alessandro pulls out my chair before taking his own seat.
“Les, who is this darling creature at your side?” the woman next to Blanc asks.
She’s smiling, but it feels fake. Everything about her feels fake, if I’m being honest. I know better than anyone that I shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but I also have experience with mean girls. And this woman is giving off Gia vibes. Also, what’s up with her calling Alessandro ‘Les’? Clearly, it’s supposed to be some kind of nickname, but I’ve literally not heard anyone else call him that.
He puts his arm around the back of my chair and says, “Isa, I’d like you to meet Blanc and his wife, Aimée. Everyone, this is my wife, Isabetta.”
The woman smiles, again looking phony. Blanc dips his head my way before turning his attention back to his phone.
Alessandro points to the man across from us. “This is Zhang and his wife, Vivian.”
Zhang says, “A pleasure to finally meet you, Isabetta.” His gaze slowly rakes over me. “I can see what the fuss over you was about.”
Okay, that’s really random. And creepy. Is that a requirement with these men because we’re two for two in the creepy department.
His wife glares at me, as if I’ve offended her. Cool. So, she’s not going to like me, either.
“That’s Smith and his wife, Jacqueline.”
Jacqueline huffs. “Darling, if you’re going to introduce me, do it right. I’m Jacqueline Chanel Minty-Smith. You might know me from the Minty Chewing Gum empire.”
Who hasn’t heard of Minty Chewing Gum? I think I have a pack of their gum in my purse back at the house.
“Oh, wow. Yeah. I love your gum.”
She smiles. “It’s an American staple.”
Alessandro points to the last couple. “This is Jones and his wife, Buffy.”
Buffy sniffs the air, like she smells something bad. “Nice to meet you.”
“You, too.”
There’s an awkward silence. I don’t miss that Buffy and Jacqueline share a look. A look I’m all too familiar with. God. Are all these women mean girls?
Alessandro leans in and whispers, “Ignore them.”
“Hard to ignore them when their welcome is so chilly.”
He snorts as he lifts his drink. “A fair assessment. We can leave after the first course is served.”
“Really?”
“I believe I promised cutting my wife out of her dress before the night was over.”
I swat his arm, laughing. “Hush.”
Blanc clears his throat. “Moretti, did you read the briefing I sent you?”
Alessandro drags his gaze from me to Blanc. “I didn’t. As you know, other matters detained me for most of the day.”
“Please read it. Now.”
Tension is thick around the table, but now it’s stemming from the men. Do they not like Alessandro? Worry courses through me. Should he be worried? Should I?
Alessandro pulls out his phone. I can literally feel the tension rolling off him with each moment that passes. Whatever is in that message isn’t good.
He says, “That’s why you wanted to meet in Vegas.”
