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“Work as in your team is here?”
“No. I…” A cough stops me from finishing the sentence.
“Sorry, take a seat,” she shouts and slides closer to her friend.
Her friend holds out her hand. “I’m Zara. I’ve heard quite a bit about you.”
“Not all bad, I hope.” I shake her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“No, not all bad.” Zara winks at Penny. “I’ll get us drinks,” she says quickly and slides out the other side of the booth.
“Allow me.” I pull out my cell. “What are you both drinking?” I tap on the number to the bar only a few of us are privy to.
Zara smiles. “I’m drinking champagne, thank you.”
Penny shrugs. “Same.”
“A bottle of Dom Pérignon and two glasses and a whisky, please.” I place my cell on the table. “Your drinks should be here soon.”
“Can I have that number?” Zara jokes. “No, seriously, but can I?”
“I’m afraid not.”
Penny rolls her eyes at her friend.
“Does that make you a VIP here? Are you a regular?”
“Yes and no. Any other questions, Zara?”
“Yes. Memorable orgasms. Do you…” Penny jabs her with an elbow. “Ouch.”
“So, you’re not a regular, Franklin. Is it a coincidence we’ve bumped into each other?”
“I’d say it’s luck. Can we circle back to Zara’s question?”
The waiter arrives and places my whiskey on the table. Then he pops the champagne and fills two glasses, leaving the bottle in an ice bucket on the table. “Thank you.”
“Absolutely not.” Penny glances at me over the rim of her crystal flute. “I feel like there’s a reason why we’re having a conversation?”
I swirl the ice in my glass, hoping to come across as relaxed. “To offer you a contract to remodel one of my homes.”
I had played out how I would ask her in my head, and not expecting to see her tonight has thrown me off-kilter. She is beautiful, but she hasn’t dressed like this for me.
“One of your homes? Like your apartment that maybe happens to be close to here, and you want me to perhaps check it out tonight?” Her expression feigns shock.
Zara downs her drink. “I need the restroom, so I’ll leave you two to sort out your differences.” She eyes Penny. “Don’t let them take my glass.” Penny nods, and Zara slides out of the booth.
“Not my penthouse. That’s already been decorated, although it could be refreshed.” I stop myself from speaking of Daphne. “It’s my beach house. It’s somewhere I go for short breaks.”
“I’m good at reviving certain styles when a client no longer appreciates the current design.” She considers me. “Or if they want to forget it.”
“A change is like a vacation, so they say,” I shout over the music.
“Especially for busy men who never take vacations.”
“Got me there.” I swirl my ice before taking another swig of the whiskey.
“You should go on more trips. It might motivate you on ways to decorate your home. Europe inspires me. One day, I hope to travel for coastal inspiration like the Maldives and the Bahamas.”
