I picked up my phone and sent a text message to Isla.
“I will pick you up tonight at six thirty.”
“I’ll be ready and waiting for you, Jack. I bought the most spectacular Valentino dress. You’re going to love it.”
“I’m sure I will.”
As I set my phone down, Lorelei walked in with my coffee.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
As she started to walk away, I spoke, “How was your lunch?”
“It was nice.”
“Good. By the way, you may leave at four o’clock today.”
“Really?” she asked in surprise.
“I want to make sure you have plenty of time to get ready for the launch party tonight.”
“Thank you, Jack. I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome. Just make sure you have those corrections done before you leave.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Lorelei
“Thanks again for picking up Hope from school today,” I spoke as I swept a gray color of eyeshadow across my eye.
“No problem. I told you that Sebastian and I could babysit her tonight while you’re at the launch party.”
“I know, but my mom and Nick are really looking forward to it. In fact, they should be here soon.”
After painting my face and pinning up the sides of my hair while the rest of it fell over my shoulder in curls, I slipped into the red wine-colored dress I made.
“Well?” I turned around and faced Stella.
“You’re going to make every cock in that damn place spring up to action. It’s gorgeous.”
I smiled. “Thanks.”
“So are you and Jack being civilized to one another now?”
Walking into the bathroom, I picked up a tube of my wine-colored lipstick and swept it across my lips. “I guess. To be honest, he’s been okay the past few days. But I still miss him, if you know what I mean.”
“You don’t need someone like him, Lorelei.”
“You’re right. I don’t. I don’t need anyone because I will never get that close to someone again.”
“Now don’t say shit like that. You’ll meet the man of your dreams sooner or later.”
Walking out of the bathroom, I slipped my feet into a pair of silver rhinestone heels.
“I thought I already did, twice, and look what happened. One was killed and the other hates me for having a kid.”
She fell back on the bed and then sat up on her elbows.
“Jack Sutton isn’t the man of your dreams. You had sex with him, so you thought he was. We’re women. We get emotionally involved at the first sign of a man paying attention to us.”
“I liked him first and that’s why I chose to have sex with him.”
****
Walking into the Lincoln Center, I smiled. So far, everything looked perfect and I prayed that I pulled this off flawlessly. I spotted Coco talking to Garrett and, when she saw me, her mouth dropped.
“You look amazing. Oh my God. Is this another Lorelei original?” she asked as she walked around me, checking me out from head to toe.
“Yes it is and thank you.”
“You look gorgeous, Lorelei.” Garrett smiled as he kissed my cheek.
“Thank you.”
Coco’s hand reached out and lightly touched my dress. “I love the strapless look and the way you notched the sweetheart neckline. Look at these seams and the way the bottom slightly flares out. It’s like a mermaid style but not quite. This is gorgeous, Lorelei. You really need to show off your work more. You’re very talented.”#p#分页标题#e#
“Thank you, Coco.”
When I glanced over to my left, my stomach fell at the sight of Jack with his hand on some brunette’s back. Coco noticed my reaction and put her arm around me, turning me the other way.
“Ignore him, Lorelei. He’s a manwhore and not worthy of you or your attention. He told me you two slept together and he told me about your daughter.”
I looked down in shame.
“Listen to me. You put this whole launch party together and you should be proud. Hold your head up high and let everyone know exactly who you are. Don’t let my brother ruin your night just because he decided to bring a skank with him. There are plenty of eligible hot and sexy men here that would love to get to know you.”
“I won’t let him ruin my night, and as for men, I’m not interested. I made a mistake where your brother is concerned and I won’t make that same mistake again.”
“Sweetie, don’t let one rotten fish spoil the rest of the ocean for you.” She winked.
“Oh, there’s Vidal.” She grabbed my hand and led me over to him.
“Vidal, darling.” She kissed both his cheeks.