Evie was forced to listen to her discuss her latest pedicure as King and Desmond talked about their investment in a building. She listened as they talked about the new leases they had signed while pretending to pay attention to Marta move on to her hairdresser getting married and how painful it was to find a new one.
Thankfully, it wasn’t long before dinner was served and Evie was finally able to move away from Marta.
“If you don’t get her away from me, I’m going to scream,” Evie threatened in a low voice.
“You don’t like her?”
“A five-year-old would get along with her better than I would.”
King laughed as he pulled a chair out for her. Evie sat down at the elegant table, studying the people already seated around it. King had surrounded himself with the upper class. From what Shade had told her, King had been dirt poor when he was raised and now had accumulated enough money to move in higher circles. She was disappointed that he fit the cliché of wanting to rub people’s noses in his wealth.
She took a drink of the expensive wine, not enjoying the taste—Evie had never been much of a wine drinker. Setting her wine glass down, she picked up her water glass instead.
“You don’t like the wine?” Her host, Desmond, lifted an inquiring brow.
“The wine is fine. I just don’t care for it.”
“Let me guess, your drink of choice is whiskey?”
“I like anything with a kick to it, but if it comes down to just one, I’m just as content with a beer.” Evie picked up her salad fork, ignoring his amused laughter.
“To tell you the truth, so do I.” Desmond motioned for the server. “Bring us two beers. King?”
“No, thanks. I’ll stick to the wine.”
Evie took a bite of her salad, hating it. God, she didn’t miss the days of having to choke down pretentious food made to look prettier than it actually tasted.
When the server set their beers down, Evie politely uttered her thanks.
“You’re welcome.” Desmond smiled graciously. “So, how did you meet King?”
Evie quit pretending to eat her salad. “I met him while he was on vacation.” Evie deliberately didn’t mention Lily.
“Where did you go on vacation, King?”
“Kentucky.”
“Kentucky?”
“Yes.”
“That’s an interesting spot. I’m afraid I don’t know much about Kentucky,” Desmond mused.
“It’s beautiful. The mountains, horses and people are worth giving it a visit,” Evie stated.
“I’ll keep that in mind. Is that where you’re from?”
“No, it’s where I live now. I’m originally from Atlanta.”
“A big-city girl going to a small town. That was a big change.”
“Not really. The adjustment came when I joined the military.”
“You served overseas?”
“Yes.” Before he could ask another question, Evie asked one of her own. “You and King are business partners?”
“Yes, we grew up together.” That did surprise Evie. She had to take back her original assessment of King kissing up to money. However, it had been an easy assumption to make when King’s harsh features bore the signs of his hard upbringing while the man she was seated next to was elegant and refined. “It’s been a very lucrative partnership. I let King handle the business, and I reap all the benefits.”
Evie heard King’s amused laughter. “Don’t sell yourself short, Desmond. You more than carry your own weight.”
Desmond lifted his beer to King.
The next course was much more edible as Evie was able to manage the veal chops. Then, forgoing the designer ice cream, she enjoyed the fruit plate for dessert.
Desmond escorted her from the dinner table with King following behind. Marta, who was not happy, had lost the friendly attitude she had greeted her with.
Seating Evie on a chair, Desmond turned to King. “Bring her around again. Your taste is getting better.” He turned to Evie. “I need to circulate. It was nice meeting you, Evie. Come to lunch before you go back to Kentucky.”
“I don’t know how long I’m staying.” She prevaricated.
“Perhaps King can lure you away from small-town living. A large city does have its advantages.”
“So does a small town. At least we grow them smart there.” She looked at Marta, who was impatiently pulling at his sleeve.
“Touché,” he said, giving her a wry smile before moving away.
“That wasn’t nice,” King said, sitting down casually on the arm of her chair.
“I know, and I’m deeply ashamed of myself.” She wasn’t and never would be. Women like Marta were her pet peeve. No one could be that stupid. The woman had deliberately dumbed herself down and had her breasts enlarged a couple of sizes to catch herself a rich lover.