Sophie asked as Bree set her salad in front of her.
Bree sighed heavily. ‘‘Unfortunately for me. I know I shouldn’t say this, but I can’t stand her. And the way she treats poor Monica, it’s just awful.’’
‘‘Thank you, dear,’’ Marylou said, ‘‘for such speedy, efficient service. You more than make up for your aunt’s lack of manners.’’
Bree smiled widely at that. ‘‘May I quote you on that, ma’am?’’
‘‘You certainly may,’’ Marylou said, laughing. ‘‘And I’ll be happy to tell anyone you like to their face.’’
Giggling, Bree departed, tray in one hand and tray stand in the other.
We all tasted our food, and we all seemed quite happy with our choices. We ate in silence for a moment, until Marylou set down her fork.
‘‘Now, Paula, I don’t want to embarrass you further, ’’ she said. ‘‘But do you think there’s really a problem with your credit card? Because if there is, I’m sure I can help you until you get it straightened out.’’
‘‘Thank you,’’ Paula said, her face reddening slightly. ‘‘But I’m sure there’s no real problem. It was just that witch trying to humiliate me. I’ll go talk to her, but I’m sure it was all put on.’’
‘‘If there’s a problem, let one of us know,’’ I said. ‘‘But after this, I doubt she’ll try to get away with anything else.’’
Paula shook her head. ‘‘You don’t know how vindictive and nasty she can be, Emma. So you’d better watch out. She’s the type to bear a grudge and do something about it.’’
‘‘She doesn’t worry me in the slightest. If she tries anything with me, she’ll draw back a nub.’’
Paula laughed at that, along with Marylou and Sophie.
‘‘Now let’s forget about that woman,’’ Sophie said, ‘‘and enjoy our food.’’
We managed to do that for about ten minutes before being interrupted again, this time by a tall, striking man dressed in clothes so casual and simple that I knew they had to be extremely expensive.
He strolled up to our table, his tanned face alight with what I could describe only as malice.
‘‘Well, Paula, what are you doing with these ladies? I expected to find you in Basil’s bedroom.’’
Paula paled suddenly, her fork dropping onto the table and then flipping onto the floor. Slowly she turned around and looked up at the man standing slightly behind her.
‘’Avery! What the hell are you doing here?’’
Chapter 5
So this was Avery Trowbridge. I eyed him curiously— and I hoped, discreetly. He was certainly handsome, with the kind of boyish, blond, blue-eyed good looks that never seem to go out of style. He was probably in his fifties, but he looked a good ten years younger. At some point, he would no doubt run to seed, but for the moment he was holding age at bay pretty well.
The smirk on his face detracted from the otherwise favorable impression of his looks, however. Even if I hadn’t already heard Paula’s complaints about his treatment of her, I wouldn’t have taken long to get his measure.
‘‘Now, Paula, love, is that any way to speak to your loving and devoted husband?’’ Avery said with sarcasm dripping from his words. He bent to give Paula a fast buss on the lips. When he straightened, though, I could see he had spotted Sophie. His eyes widened in appreciation.
Sophie easily put the rest of us in the shade. She was every bit as blond and attractive as Avery, and they certainly would have made a striking couple. From the gleam in Avery’s eyes, I figured he probably was thinking the very same thing. Sophie, however, took one look at him and assumed a supremely bored expression. He wasn’t her type, and he would find that out very quickly if he tried to get anywhere with her.
‘‘Now, Paula, love, aren’t you going to introduce me to your friends?’’
‘‘You still haven’t explained to me what the hell you’re doing here,’’ Paula said. She fairly spit out the words. ‘‘And what the hell did you mean by such a tasteless remark about me being in Basil’s bed?’’
‘‘Tut-tut, Paula, love,’’ Avery said, his voice soothing, as if he were talking to a balky child. ‘‘I know the way your sneaky little mind works. You wouldn’t be here if Basil weren’t here. You can’t expect me to believe you’re here just because you love to play bridge so much.’’ He threw back his head and laughed.
‘‘Stop being a jackass, Avery,’’ Paula said.
Avery sobered. He leaned down, then placed one hand on Paula’s shoulder. From the expression on Paula’s