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“Play nice, Dominic.”
“I always play nice.” He placed a hand over his heart as if he couldn’t believe she said such a thing. Then he turned toward Brick. “Stand for a moment, big guy.”
Brick waited for the woman to let go of his foot and stood up. Dominic eyed him up and down, the appraisal making him want to squirm a bit.
“Call me when you’re done here. I’ll have a tux ready and waiting for him,” Dominic said with a wink to Jezebelle.
“You’re the best.”
“Well, I only help the best.”
Then Dominic was off.
“Who’s Travis?” Brick needed to know everything before he walked into the lion’s den. He felt wholly unprepared when he saw Bradley at the table this morning.
“Oh, I’ve never met him. I’ve only heard things here and there from Dominic. I’ve only met Sarafina and Dax once. They’re super nice. From what I gather, Travis is good friends with Sarafina. He also happens to be in charge of a mob organization.” She cleared her throat. “That he’s trying to make legit.”
Brick’s brows rose. “Well, this should be an interesting charity dinner.”
Very, very interesting, indeed.
* * *
Jezebelle couldn’t thankDominic enough for helping them out. Not only did he get Brick a tux that fit him to the T and made him look as handsome as could be, but he got them a discount on it, too. Jezebelle had argued with Brick wanting to pay for it—it was her fault they had to go in the first place—and the obstinate man wouldn’t listen.
They bid Dominic farewell and headed back to Brick’s apartment. She felt better knowing Dominic and his friends would be there tomorrow night. She wouldn’t be surrounded by people she couldn’t stand; she’d have a few friends in the mix.
Although Brick had seemed calm and cool during the pedicure, something she thought he secretly enjoyed, she wasn’t sure how he was feeling. He had a way about him. Always a smile on his face, never expressing too much displeasure, not even in the bar when she watched him interact with others. He had a wonderful poker face, and it bothered her she couldn’t quite tell how he was taking all of this.
“Let me hang that up for you.” She took the tux from him before he could lay it over the couch, which was what she figured he wanted to do when they first stepped into the apartment.
“I leave it in your trusted hands. Want a drink?”
He didn’t hesitate and headed for the kitchen.
So he was frazzled. Well, so was she. A drink sounded wonderful.
“I’ll have what you’re having.”
Then she left the room to put away his tux. She’d hate for it to get any wrinkles. Her mother would never approve of Brick. She didn’t misunderstand her mother for a moment in the bathroom, but she’d be damned if Brick wasn’t the best-dressed man tomorrow night. She’d show her mother that her opinions did not matter. But everyone else’s did. As soon as they saw how immaculate, sweet, and charming Brick was, they’d be putty in his hands. Let her mother be the lone wolf standing in hating him. Bradley didn’t seem to mind him. He had been the perfect gentleman today.
She found Brick standing by the counter and took a seat on one of the barstools opposite him. He didn’t have a kitchen table and she could only assume he used the counter to eat his meals. It was a nice kitchen with a large wraparound counter. Plenty of space for cookware and food. The barstools had just the right height to sit and feel comfortable. Not to mention they added a unique sense of style to the place.
He pushed a glass that looked deep-burgundy mixed with ice and topped with a cherry toward her.
“My favorite drink. A classic Manhattan.”
She took a sip, loving the rich, sharp taste. “I’ve never had one, but I like it.”
The cherry disappeared from the glass and into her mouth. She couldn’t resist forming her mouth around it and slowly pulling the stem out. His eyes heated with desire as he zeroed in on her mouth. Well, at least the passion between them still roared like hot flames to a fire.
“So, what are your thoughts on the day?”
Brick smiled behind his glass before taking a long swallow. “I like that you’re blunt and bring your concerns out in the open.”
His smile dimmed as he set the glass down, his gaze staring hard at the counter.
“Based on your demeanor right now, the day didn’t go so well.”
