Amber wasn’t like Melissa though. Not at all.
So, in one of those seemed-like-a-good-idea-at-the-time moves, he went car shopping.
—
Even though it was a private party, the tips were rolling in.
Amber smiled at a guest as she handed over one of the new cocktails at the Sin Bin. Jared had recently hired a consultant who’d revamped the cocktail menu. Sidney Frayne had been working with all the staff for the last week or so on training, mostly the bartenders but also the waitstaff so they’d be familiar with the new drinks. She’d also worked with them on improving service, which had the desirable effect of also increasing tips.
Tonight was the launch party, and the bar was packed with invited guests who sampled food and drinks. Everyone seemed to be enjoying it. A lot of the Aces guys were there to help celebrate. Jared was, of course, busy mingling but she’d noticed him talking quite…intimately to Sidney a few times. Hmmm, what was up with that?
“I wish I was sitting here with you guys, having fun.” She paused to lean on Duncan at one point in the evening.
He caressed her hip, smiling at her. “I wish that too.”
“Everyone had to work tonight. I understand why.”
“But you probably won’t be working here much longer. Does Jared know that?”
“Not yet.” She made a face. “I feel kind of guilty quitting after he’s just done all this training.”
“I’m sure he’s used to staff turnover.”
“I guess so.”
“Lovey’s having fun sampling the new drinks.”
Lovey beamed at her and lifted a martini glass in a toast. “Too bad you can’t drink on the job.”
“I know. But I’ve tried nearly all the drinks and they’re great.”
“This one is my favorite. It’s a Juicy Screw.” Lovey giggled. “That’s Marc’s favorite too, right?” She nudged Marc and he laughed.
“Ugh. They’re always talking about sex.” Duncan grimaced.
“Not just talking about it.” Lovey reached over and patted his arm.
Amber laughed.
“Besides, I wasn’t talking about sex, I was talking about the drink.” Lovey gave her brother an evil smile. “You’re the one with the dirty mind.”
“Can’t deny that.”
Amber met his eyes and smiled.
“I’ll wait for you and take you home, right?” His hand slid around and gave her ass a brief squeeze.
“Right.” She kissed his cheek and got back to work.
—
When the buzzer sounded in the apartment the next morning, Amber shifted in Duncan’s arms and mumbled, “What the…?”
“Ignore it,” he muttered. “Let Easton get it.”
Amber made a face. “It has to be someone to see him. Don’t know who else would show up here.”
She drifted in and out of sleep, a sleepy smile curving her mouth as she snuggled in closer to Duncan. She’d missed him and she’d been anxious about seeing him after that crappy blog post, but it had all been good.
The knocking on her bedroom door worked its way through to her consciousness, and her smile fell off her face.
“Amber? Boo, you awake?”
Then the doorknob turned and the door opened. Amber jerked the covers up over her naked body, and her head whipped up to glare at Easton.
“Easton! What are you doing?”
Duncan growled and pushed himself to sit, not caring about his bare chest.
Easton slipped into the room and closed the door. “God, I am so sorry, boo, but you need to get up.”
“What’s going on?”
“Your mother’s here.”
Amber shook her head like she was trying to shake off water. “What?” She blinked in the dim room, the heavy blinds blocking out the morning sun. “How can that be?”
“I don’t know, but she’s here.” Easton bugged his eyes out at her. “I didn’t tell her you, uh, weren’t alone.”
“Whatever.” Like that mattered. She was a big girl now. She let out a breath. “Okay, I’m awake. Now go, so I can get out of bed and get dressed.”
“Ah. Yeah.” Easton shrugged. “Not like I haven’t seen it all before.” He disappeared out of the room. Amber pushed the covers down and moved off the bed, but before she got far, a big hand clamped around her arm.
“What the hell?” Duncan grumbled. “He’s seen it all before?”
Amber had to laugh. “He’s exaggerating. Some. I’m a model. He’s a photographer.”
“You posed nude for him?”
She looked at Duncan’s dark scowl and smiled. “Not completely nude. You saw the pictures on the Internet, for God’s sake.” She shrugged, one corner of her mouth kicking up. “It’s part of the job. Plus…he’s gay. Remember?”