Before she can catch a bartender's attention, she drops her hand and digs through her purse. She takes out her phone and scowls at the screen.
"What is it?"
"A text from Hilary. Apparently she can't come because of an unexpected market movement. Something about the Chinese dumping US treasuries or something … Anyway, she told me I don't need to go back, but to have fun." Her shoulders slump. "Damn it."
"Maybe the others can join us … ?"
She shakes her head. "If Hilary can't come, it's because Gavin isn't leaving. And that means nobody's leaving now."
"Oh. That's … too bad."
"Yeah." She sighs. "The Chinese just had to pick today!"
I laugh. "You make it sound like they did it on purpose."
"Feels that way."
"Listen, why don't we … "
I trail off as I look through the window and spot a nondescript gray sedan parked on the other side of the road. A man's inside, his big hands fooling with a camera with a big lens. An uneasy knot forms in my chest, but I shake myself. Probably somebody famous is around here … There's no reason for the paparazzi to follow me, since my stripper past isn't the hottest news item for the bored and nosy anymore.
"Let's go to my apartment and have ice cream and cocktails," Traci says. "I have some good stuff."
"Um … " I'm about to say no, but she's looking at me with a huge grin. Elliot isn't expecting me until at least eight anyway, so why not spend a little time with Traci before heading home? "Sure. Ice cream sounds great."
"Awesome!" She loops her arm around mine. "Let's get going."
* * *
Annabelle
Traci's "apartment" is about half an hour from the office. As I climb out of my Mercedes, I can't help but gape. "How did you snag this place? The location's perfect, and just look at that!" I gesture at the soaring, glitzy building.
"I know, right?" She grins. "I totally lucked out. My roommate is rich, and paying for most of it. She said she wanted somebody to share the space because she hates it when it's too quiet at home."
How awesome. I'm genuinely happy my friend got such a sweet setup.
The place is fairly new. Two sides of the building gleam, and I realize they are actually floor-to-ceiling windows. The lobby is immaculate marble, chrome and glass with a fully staffed concierge desk. Soothing classical music plays inside a golden elevator.
Traci's place is on the top floor. It's actually a penthouse unit, albeit smaller than the one Elliot and I share. But the open layout makes the place look much bigger and airier than it really is, and there is a fantastic view of downtown L.A. The hardwood floor has been freshly waxed, and a plush rug is custom-cut to lie around a beige sectional couch. The walls are off-white and covered with contemporary paintings.
Traci gestures at a room at the end of the hall. "That's my roommate's, so don't go in. She's a little weird about it."
"Is she going to be okay with me coming here like this?" My old roommate Caroline hated it when Nonny brought someone over.
"Don't worry. She's out of town this week."
I relax and take a seat on the couch, placing my purse on the floor. Traci brings out two miniature cartons of caramel-and-fudge ice cream. "Ta da," she says. "Anything to drink?"
"Maybe just iced tea or juice? I need to drive home, and I'm a lightweight."
"You can't be that bad. You went to a party school."
I cringe. "I got a big, fat F in Party 101."
"Very funny. I can't imagine you getting an F in anything. You were one of the smartest kids in high school." Still, she hands me a glass of sweetened iced tea and pours herself some white wine. She plops down on the sectional and kicks off her shoes.
I take a few sips of the tea, which is a little too sweet. The ice cream is extra rich, and it's difficult for me to eat much of it. Traci, on the other hand, doesn't seem bothered. She digs into hers with gusto.
We chat. She tells me all about her plans, places she wants to go and things she wants to do. "I'm not going to be an assistant forever, you know."
"You won't. You're too smart to not be in charge one day."
"Exactly. And if that doesn't work, I can always get myself a sugar daddy."
My jaw drops. "Seriously?"
"Yeah. Why do you think I work at OWM? It's got tons of guys who are making amazing money. And a lot of them aren't that old."
"But … " I blink as my mind struggles to reconcile what she just told me and what I know about her crush on Gavin, who happens to be very happily married. "Uh … Any special candidate?"