Page 40 of Dirty Big Sins

With my nose buried in my phone, I failed to notice anyone approach until someone sitting next to me started laughing.

“Fancy meeting you here again. Are we on the verge of starting a lonely hearts club up in here? Also, I didn’t realize Instagram was that engrossing. Am I missing something interesting?”

“Jesus Christ, Nova! You scared the hell out of me. And isn’t that remark a little too pot and kettle Miss Instagram Queen?”

Her throaty laugh deepened. “Okay, okay. Guilty. I don’t know what to tell you, other than it’s my favorite platform. I’m a visual person and IG fills my need to absorb new things in a quick and easy way. It’s also a great venue for branding. I don’t think Nova Corp would be half of what it is without my social media followers.”

I nodded. “So true. Lots of cool people out there with a voice these days. I learn something new about people every day. As for the other, I’m starting to get the impression that you and I don’t have much of a life outside of our work. Although in our defense I have it on good authority that we were at the hottest new club in Vegas last night so that must count for something.”

“Of course it—" She didn’t get to finish before we were interrupted by the bartender with a drink for Nova. “One dry martini with extra olives, right?”

We both looked at each other and busted out laughing. By the time we got ahold of our composure again the bartender had fled the scene.

“So when are you coming in for that fitting?” she asked, taking a swallow of her drink. “I expected you today.”

“Fu—I—uh—crap I totally forgot. I had a bit of a chef situation in the kitchen today and our first trial run of lunch service turned into a disaster. We had to do it twice from scratch to get even close and by calling it that I’m being very generous.”

“No worries. I already started the design. But the team will be raring to go on it tomorrow, so in the morning?”

“Excuse me, Miss Zia.”

I turned to find a man I didn’t recognize standing just behind my chair. “Can I help you?”

“I’ve been sent to escort you home.”

“Excuse me?” Nova and I exchanged glances before I returned my focus to the man in a dark suit.

“I am the head of Mr. Cabrini’s security team and he has requested I deliver you to his suite.”

Nova snickered next to me and I smirked at her before issuing my response. “I’m sorry, but I’m not going to his suite tonight. I’m going to my room as soon as my food is ready.”

“I can wait with you. Then we’ll go.”

This dude wasn’t getting what I was trying to say. “You can tell Mr. Cabrini, thanks but no thanks. If he wants to get together, he can contact me with his invitation like a normal human being.”

Nova was having a hard time holding in her laughter, and I swear I caught her clutching her stomach from the corner of my eye.

“It sounds like you should go. Maybe he’ll offer you anightcap.”

If it wouldn’t have been awkward to do so, I would have kicked her in the shin. She wasn’t helping.

“Mr. Cabrini was quite insistent. I don’t want to cause any kind of scene for you, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to insist.”

“Ooh. Mr. Belvedere here is going to insist. That sounds pretty final.”

“Stop egging this on, you traitor.”

She threw up her hands in mock surrender. “Hey, I’m just going along with Mr. Black Suit here. I unfortunately don’t have anyone insisting I come to their suite for a booty call and that is a damned shame.”

“Here you go,” the bartender interrupted. “Food and drink are on the house because of the wait.”

“Really?” He had no idea how grateful I was for that. I’d been pinching my pennies harder than ever, but things were still coming up short.

“Shall we go?”

I turned and glared at the man still standing there waiting for me. I swear if Vincent were any other man…

“Where isMr. Cabrinianyways? Sitting in his room waiting for me to be delivered?”

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