Page 17 of Dirty Big Sins

I blinked at her, surprised to hear her say that. “I wasn’t aware anyone had much to say outside the normal restaurant circles.”

Nina smirked at me. “You’re kidding, right? Of course everyone is curious. Our marketing team has worked wonders over the last year since we brought them on, but apparently the buzz about Zia’s Kitchen has been purely organic.”

I didn’t know what to say. In a way, knowing this made me more nervous than ever. It added the pressure that was for sure.

“I know I can’t wait to eat there. Although I missed out on getting an opening night reservation.” Nova winked.

“Oh, I’m sure we can figure something out for you,” Nina said. “In fact, Zia, I was going to talk to you about having a soft opening for some of our employees and social media influencers. We’d love to get some early feedback. Maybe even from some of the bigger local food bloggers.”

My mind flew back to my nearly endless to-do list and I could already hear Julie groaning in my ear if I told her we wanted to move the opening up. Still, I wasn’t about to turn down any new opportunities right now. Especially if it meant we might control some of the early narrative going out into the world about the experience.

“I’m sure we can work something out. It wouldn’t hurt to get some extra feedback on the menu before the grand opening. Although I have to say that the new menu items I’ve come up with this past week are going to be very well received.”

Both Nina and Nova laughed.

“No doubt. I’m also glad to see that this self-imposed isolation hasn’t affected your ego.” Nina squeezed my shoulder with a laugh and a look in her eye that made it clear she was really happy.

Something inside me twinged as well. These women and their upbeat attitudes were just the balm to my frazzled nerves that I didn’t know I’d needed.

“C’mon.” Nina gestured toward the table. “Our food is ready and we don’t want it to get cold.”

We followed her over and everyone took their seats. As more wine got poured, I took a moment to examine all the women around me. Besides Nina and Nova, Julie and Izzy had joined us. Her sister-in-law Tori, however, had been unable to make it. Something about her daughter not feeling well.

I’d learned pretty quick that Izzy was already connected to Vincent and me through Houston, the man investigating the blackmailer who’d taken my money. He was her husband. It had proven again what a small world I’d become a part of.

Not that there wasn’t more to her. Or any of these women. Together we were a band of over achievers. Women on their own missions. From Nova working to set her world on fire with her incredible designs (I’d Googled them before dinner and had lusted over many), to Izzy running a huge nonprofit to help women rescued from the sex slave industry, my head was spinning.

And Nina had brought us all together.

Dinner passed in a flash and before I knew it we were in a limo on our way to Berserkers, one of the newest and most exclusive entertainment venues in the city. I’d tried again to beg off this part of the adventure, but Nina and all the other girls had insisted. They all wanted their girls’ night out with everyone included.

“You’re awfully quiet.” Nina leaned close and whispered, “I promise this will be fun.”

Clearly, I was acting like an ass. She’d gone to a lot of effort for this night and I was staring out the window and sulking like a child because what? My mind immediately went to Vincent and how I wished I’d brought my phone after all. A train of thought I immediately locked down.

No.

I wasn’t sad because I hadn’t seen him. Or that I’d left my phone in my suite so I couldn’t check if he’d ever texted me back.

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be the Debbie Downer on this trip. I really do appreciate the effort you’ve gone to.”

“Do you miss him?”

She’d lowered her voice to a whisper, but my head jerked at her question anyway and I winced at the fact I’d just basically announced that I not only knew exactly who she meant, but that it meant something to me.

“I don’t think miss is the right word. He betrayed me.”

“But did he? You haven’t even given him a chance to explain so how can you be sure?”

I narrowed my eyes at her, suspicion rising sharply. “Do I even want to know how you know that?”

“Gabe and Vincent are friends. When my husband has time, they spar together at Vincent’s gym or they share a drink when one of them needs it. Despite what people think, men talk to each other about their personal lives sometimes.”

“And Gabe tells you all this? That sounds like something Vincent wouldn’t want shared.”

Nina let out a soft laugh. “Are you really worried about his privacy? Don’t you want to know what he said?”

I contemplated my answer, rolling it around my tongue. Part of me wanted to shake her by the shoulders until she told me everything, but the other didn’t want to open that door. Some openings would be all but impossible to get closed again.

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