Page 127 of Babies at Coconuts

“You’ve barely discussed the sexy chef,” Alex leaned back as Gus placed another round of cocktails on the table, including tea for Suzy.

Stirring her drink, Cheri said, “It was almost weird since I had such a crush on him as a kid, you know? I don’t feel the same now. I don’t know what I expected, whether he wanted friendship or something more, but actually, he had an ulterior motive.”

Alex’s brows knitted. “Oh?”

Cheri played with the maraschino cherries in her cocktail. “Julio said he’s broke and asked for a job.”

Alex winced. “That might be tricky.”

“Tell me about it.”

Suzy blew on her hot tea. “What did you say?”

“What could I say? I said yes.” Cheri exhaled. “My head chef will have a fit. The Fifth Avenue kitchen is his domain. I give him full rein to call the shots when I’m away—and usually even when I’m there. I concentrate on building my business, our clients, and employees. He focuses on creating delicious food. He’s going to kill me.”

Hope shrugged. “Maybe it’ll go over better than you think. Can we get back to Europe? Did you see the Eiffel Tower?” She sighed. “That’s on my bucket list.”

Fishing out her cell phone, Cheri said, “Yes, we went. It’s an Instagram selfie heaven.” Handing her phone to Hope, she pointed. “There we are. We didn’t stay long. There were mobs of tourists, insanely long lines to the lift, plus I’ve seen it several times.”

“It sounds dreamy. What else did you do?” Alex bit into a bacon-wrapped date.

“As I mentioned, we went to The Moulin Rouge where they have topless showgirls and a meal. And lots of alcohol.”

“I see there was a topless theme.” Alex grinned. “Maybe I should add Paris to my bucket list too. Tony would love it.”

Winking, Cheri said, “Gage loves it too.”

“I miss that guy.”

Cheri grinned at Alex. “I think he misses you too. He keeps asking about you.”

Alex felt her neck flush. “Oh, really? When will he be back?”

“Not for a while, I’m afraid. After I told him to lie low in New York City, he went on a month-long vacation with some college buddies. They’re backpacking the Grand Canyon and going to Aruba after that.”

Alex rested her chin on her hand. “Man, I want to work for you. Think I can send Hannah their way? Maybe they can accidentally knock her into the Grand Canyon.”

“Alex,” everyone said.

Rolling her eyes, she groaned. “You know I’m kidding. Mostly.”

Cheri splayed her beautifully manicured, navy nails on the table. “Enough about me. What’s new with you ladies since I’ve been gone?”

Suzy and Hope glanced at one another. Both said, “You go first.”

Hope chewed on her bottom lip. “My hands are sweaty thinking about what I’m about to tell you.” Fidgeting in her chair, she avoided her friends’ now-worried glances. “I have big news. Really big news.”

Alex fished inside her purse, eventually retrieving red lip gloss. “What gives, Hope?”

“Get ready. It’s a shocker.” Hope rubbed her temples and swallowed.

Sliding the gloss over her lips, Alex said, “I feel like we’re always in a competition to see who has the most ridiculous life.”

Hope didn’t miss a beat. “You may find this hard to believe but—” Reaching inside her school tote bag, she retrieved the folded newspaper article and slid it across the table. “I think it’ll be easier if I show you.”

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