want to offend anyone’s sensibilities by presuming I would share a room with Cynthia.”
Stephen offers a gentlemanly nod to my father, which he returns. Oh, boy, he’s really laying it on thick. Hopefully, no one remembers that instance where he disappeared into a hotel room with three women after a night of sake in Tokyo City.
“But, if it’s no trouble, Cynthia and I would be thrilled to share a room.” My father opens his mouth to speak, but my mother cuts him off.
“Oh, of course! Please, we’re not prudes in this house!” she guffaws and presses her hand to her chest. “We were young once, too. Darling, why don’t you take the Jefferson room, it’s the second largest in the house.”
Kyle coughs angrily until my mother turns to him.
“Are you alright?” she asks, looking disgusted.
“Fine,” Kyle chokes as he reaches for his wine. My mother shrugs.
“You may stay as well, Kyle. Take the Bardley room, there should be clean sheets.”
I suppress a giggle. The Bardley room is the smallest in the house, and right down the hall from the Jefferson. Oh, Christ, we’re haughty.
“Well, if that’s all settled then,” my father sighs. “I think it’s about time for me to be off. Big day tomorrow, you know, meeting with the investors.”
Stephen nods seriously. “I think you’ve got a solid plan there, Leonard, there’s no way they won’t bite.” My father beams proudly and gives Stephen a little bow.
“Come on, Claudia, off to bed with us old folks,” she tuts and gives him a playful swipe before standing.
“Well, Stephen, I’m still as surprised as can be, but Zsa Zsa seems to be smitten. Cynthia, I hope you’re not jealous?” She gives me a wiggle of her eyebrows.
“I’m not if you aren’t,” I smile, and she waves me off with a tipsy giggle.
“I’m sure she’d love to snuggle up between you lovebirds, but I’ll take her for the night. I’ve gotten quite used to her little noises near the bedside, and I’m not sure I’d be able to sleep without them.” She walks around the table, and Stephen and I stand.
She reaches for Zsa Zsa making kissy noises until Stephen gently hands her over. Zsa Zsa whines and kicks at my mother, but she sloppily shushes her.
“Goodnight, Stephen,” she croons as she leans her cheek toward him. He gives me a look before leaning for the kiss.
“Goodnight, darling,” she says as she leans her face into me. I don’t know what she's on, but I’ll let her have it. I give her a kiss on the cheek and squeeze her hand.
“That’s a good one there,” she whispers audibly in my ear. “Don’t mess this up. You know, like you did with Kyle.” Ah. There she is. I take a deep breath and drop her hand.
“Thank you, Mother. Goodnight.” My mother sways away with Zsa Zsa. I turn to Stephen, but catch another glimpse of Kyle staring daggers at us.
My mother’s words hit me like a kick in the gut. Don’t mess this up, like you did with Kyle.
Thirty-Two
Stephen
Cynthia takes herself into the bathroom to wash up. I glance at my watch. Shit. One-upping Kyle and charming Cynthia’s folks caused me to lose track of time.
It’s late, and I’d intended to check in with Kenny way earlier. I didn’t exactly leave a detailed explanation for my absence today.
By the time I call, he’s definitely pissed.
“Didn’t Chase explain to you I had to go out of town?” I ask.
“Oh, Chase explained,” Kenny says, ramping up even more. “Which was when I told him to call back and explain to you that we’re already losing time with the girl being gone. Now, when we could be shooting things between you and Nadia, we’re all just twiddling our thumbs! Didn’t Chase call you?”
I glance at my phone, and for the first time, notice the missed calls. “Looks like he did. I’ll have to listen to the messages and let you know what he said.”
“I just told you what I told him to say!” Kenny wails. Then he takes a breath and says, “Nadia is pissed, y’know.”
“I can just imagine. And imagining it gives me great glee.”
“Rachna’s pissed, too.”
“I can just imagine. And imagining it –”
“You don’t want the two of them commiserating, Stephen. Who knows where it could lead to?”
I consider that, and its ramifications. I briefly wonder if I’ve made a mistake. Too late now. “Can you smooth things over for me? I’ll be back soon.”
“Are you with her?”
“With who?”
“Cynthia?”
Just as I’m about to lie,