Not for the first time he wished he’d been born with some sort of talent besides just an affinity for numbers. If he’d gotten even half of his little brother’s musical talent, he wouldn’t hesitate to use it to his advantage. Financial acumen was a great thing but people didn’t revere intelligence these days. They wanted excitement. Entertainment. They wanted people who were larger than life.
People like Raina.
He stopped in his tracks. As much as she hated him, Raina had a huge soft spot for her sister. If he could convince Ridley to intercede on his behalf, there was a very good chance that Raina would help. All it would take on her part would be a few print ads and a couple of mentions on Twitter or Facebook and they’d be in business. Not only would he have big-name investors lining up to contribute, but her legions of fans would probably want to donate, too.
He hung his head. How ironic that the solution to his problem lay with the only woman he couldn’t charm.
“You’re not having second thoughts, are you?” Matt held the door to his office open. He could see Kaylee sitting behind her desk, typing away.
“No. I’m definitely not having second thoughts.”
Matt exhaled. “Good, because I have no problem ratting you out to your future sister-in-law. Come on. We’d better go or we’ll be late.”
He followed Matt to the elevator and they rode down to the parking level in silence. Once they stepped out into the garage, Nick loosened his tie. July in Virginia always felt like you were at a barbecue in hell. It wasn’t just that it was hot. It was that it was hot and humid, so humid it felt like you were breathing water.
“We’re supposed to meet everybody at Sweetie’s, that fancy restaurant in Newport News.”
Nick took off his jacket and threw it over his arm. “I know it very well, believe me. And so does my American Express card.”
“Well, excuse me. Who would have thought the king of beer pong would be a suited-up tight ass now.”
Nick chuckled. “I may be a suit now, but I can still beat your ass at beer pong. Believe it.”
Matt got into his truck and pulled out. Nick fired up his Mercedes and followed him onto the main road leading to the highway. Sweetie’s was in Harper’s Creek, an upscale suburb in the neighboring city of Newport News. The area was part of an ongoing gentrification so the restaurants and shops were an eclectic mix. You might find a Dominican restaurant a few steps away from an old-school jazz speakeasy. Sweetie’s itself was on a corner next to an old-fashioned haberdashery. It was a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. He’d dated an amateur chef once who’d raved about the food.
They left their cars with the valet and walked past the line of people waiting to get in. Once Matt gave their names to the man at the door, they were allowed to enter.
“You’re going to introduce me to her, right?” Matt asked.
Nick forced down a growl. He had no right to be jealous. It wasn’t like he was her man or anything. She’d made her views on him taking that position perfectly clear.
“I’ll introduce you, but I take no responsibility for what happens after that.”
“I just need to meet the woman who has the number-one player so off-balance.” Matt elbowed him. “She must really be something.”
Nick ignored his friend’s pointed look. “First of all, I am not a player. That insinuates that this is a game. It’s not. I just do what I want and refuse to apologize for it. Second, she does not have me off-balance. We just don’t get along. End of story.”
“Uh huh. Whatever you say. I still want to meet her.” Matt raised a hand in greeting when they spotted Ridley and Jackson on the other side of the restaurant near the bar. Nick heaved a great sigh of relief.
If he was going to be forced into close proximity to Raina, a drink was the least of what he’d need to get through the night.
* * * * *
RAINA GRIPPED HER wineglass tighter, trying not to let her agitation show. She’d been at the restaurant for over an hour and Steven still hadn’t shown up.
Dagger’s words from earlier in the day were ringing through her head. Someone said your boy was seen in New York with some chick who’s on a soap opera…
Words she’d so easily dismissed until she saw the tabloid Sam had brought home. The same tabloid that felt like it was calling out to her from her handbag.
She checked her cell phone again.
“He still hasn’t called?” Sam murmured. He’d been unusually quiet all afternoon. After he’d handed her that tabloid with the tacky picture of Steven and his ex-wife kissing on it, she’d expected to hear any number of things ranging from “I told you so” to “do you want me to take care of him?” But Sam hadn’t uttered a word, just handed her the paper and then retreated to his study. He hadn’t emerged until it was time for them to leave.
“No. And he’s not answering his office phone or his cell.”
“At least no one knows he was supposed to be here. You can always just make your announcement and no one will be the wiser.”
She looked around the crowded restaurant. Dagger had apparently spread the word far and wide because it looked like most of the Tidewater area had come out. The maître d’ had been forced to set up a queue outside for all the people waiting to get in who didn’t have reservations. If she hadn’t already planned this informal press conference to announce her new reality show, she would have just stayed in bed with the covers over her head. It was hard enough feeling like she’d just had the bottom of her life yanked out from under her, but having to smile and act normal in front of an audience was cruel and unusual punishment.