Sexy Jerk(47)

"No."

The roads are clean today, and I hit the gas. "How'd he find out about that one?"

"I'm not certain, but he was in the office last week. Natasha doesn't recall discussing anything like that with him, but the file could have been on her desk. All he had to do was glance down and see the address."

I change lanes and move faster. "He's spying for Bigelow. Are you fucking kidding me?"

"I wish I was. The only bright side is the prick has no idea we're on to him. He called Natasha today and wants to stop by to discuss two new clients."

A grin breaks across my mouth. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

I can hear him flipping pages. "You're goddamn right I am."

The day is getting brighter by the minute. "Tell Natasha to hold Williams off until tomorrow. That will give us time to find something."

"I'm way ahead of you. I already have Ash looking for a piece of property right now to meet our needs."

At that I laugh. "Tell him, the shittier the better. Look in Englewood. And I'll see you in a few to finish discussing all the details."

Hayden hangs up and I ponder for a moment if we really want to go to war with Bigelow.

Then I think, Fuck it. He deserves it.

Let the game of bait and switch begin.





Tess

SOMETIMES LIFE GETS in the way of personal news.

Fiona came home from her honeymoon with the flu, and because of this she was in bed for five days, and then Ethan had to fly to Miami for three days earlier this week, and Nick worked late the past two nights.

That is how a week and a half has passed before Nick and I have the opportunity to tell Fiona and Ethan that we are . . . together.

Together.

It's the word we both decided to use to describe us.

Boyfriend and girlfriend sounded so immature. Going out seemed too casual. And the word item sounded way too old fashioned. And a couple, well, although we'd spent every night together at Nick's place since Ethan and Fiona returned, the phrase made things feel like they were moving too fast.

Together-that worked.

And so it is Friday night, and while Jace's new nanny, the one Nick suggested Jace get only after I prodded him, babysits Max and Scarlett, Nick is joining Ethan and Jace for a boys' night out, and I'm taking Fiona out for a girls' night.

The plan is that we both tell our respective friends about our relationship while we are alone with them, and then all of us will meet up at a club later tonight.



       
         
       
        

Fiona and I agreed to meet at RPM Steak in the River North neighborhood at seven. This gives me just enough time to go back to my apartment, which I haven't been to in days, and shower and change.

Feeling on top of the world, I stop at the door and look over my shoulder to give the café one last look around. With the loan money having been secured just yesterday, things will start moving fast next week. I should be able to have all the equipment and fixtures delivered, the menus printed, and I can start hiring the staff.

The brutal chill hits me as soon as I pull the door open. Quickly, I turn with my key in hand and lock it. Just as I'm about to rush around the block to the lot my car is parked in, I notice a black line drawn through one of the help wanted signs posted on the large window.

I'd advertised online and in the paper of course for the chef position, but the rest of the jobs weren't as crucial, so earlier today I'd hung a couple of signs inside the café windows.

Walking up to the window, I look closer at it. The sign had read, "Help Wanted. Come inside to inquire." Now it reads, "Help Wanted. Go to 6959 S. Elizabeth Street to apply," and the other sign is gone."

Odd.

Someone obviously thinks they're being funny by sending my potential employees to Englewood.

I wrinkle my nose in annoyance.

Backing up, I go inside and tear the sign down, tossing it on my makeshift desk. Tomorrow or Monday I'll have to purchase some more. For now though, I focus on getting home.

I'm nervous about telling Fiona.

Back at my small apartment, I shower, and then contemplate what to wear. For some reason I want to look extra nice tonight, so I decide to go ahead and dig through a couple of unopened clothing boxes to find something shimmery and sexy. Having lived in New York City for so long, I had acquired a very nice wardrobe.

The nice pieces I bought, I did so at bargain basement prices. Sale shopping is in my veins. The nice pieces Ansel bought me were of course from Barneys.

Ansel liked me to look like an uptown girl. He chose to ignore the fact that I was anything but. Hey, I grew up in a dysfunctional family that lived at best in a middle class neighborhood. That fact couldn't be changed.