Page 29 of Vodka and Chocolate Drops

Amber glanced over her shoulder, on the lookout for Scott, who seemed to have left the building. She was starting to wish she’d taken Moe up on that shot.

“Sadly, not the middle leg?” she asked.

Blair rewarded her joke with a deep chuckle. “No, not that one. My aim was off.”

“He said he got shot getting a story,” Amber stated, her voice low. Was Blair yanking her chain? Russell wasn’t a faultless prince, but she’d seen the awards on his wall.

“He lied,” Blair said simply, flipping her hand palm up as if the untruth didn’t bother her in the least.

“Why?” Mandy asked, leaning forward. She inched her chair closer, then swept her long mane of blond hair off her shoulders. “Why did you do it?”

“He cheated on me. Used me.”

Amber mulled that over. Russell was probably already cheating on his editor. She had a pretty good feeling he was using Sabrina to try and get his book the best shot at the charts. Amber was certain she hadn’t been the first woman Russell had hooked up with in anticipation of his next career move and what she could provide. Which left her wondering where Blair fit in. What was her piece in the Russell puzzle?

“What did he want you for?” Amber asked. Blair’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “I mean, he dated me because he wanted my story--even though it’s not me in the book. No, really,” she told Mandy, who gave her a “yeah, right” look. “Then when he had the story he cheated on me with his editor, because he wanted the book to get the best chance at making it. He’s probably already lining up his next victim to help him with his next plan. So? What did he use you for?”

Blair sat back, arms crossed, assessing Amber. “You’re shrewd. I like that. You’ve pushed the emotional stuff aside and are already moving forward. Very business minded. Do you run your own company?”

“No.”

“You should. You’d be good at it.” Blair took a sip of her wine. “Me? I fell for Russell’s song and dance.”

“It’s a pretty good song,” Amber admitted.

“But in the end, I was the one shooting athisfeet, making that chicken dance to a whole new beat.”

The women sat silently for a moment and Amber and Mandy shared a look. Amber would bet Mandy was currently reconsidering any plans that might upset Blair.

“I was married to the TV station’s owner at the time,” Blair said, her manicured finger idly tracing the rim of her wineglass until the glass started to sing.

“You had an affair? Last time I ask you for relationship advice,” Mandy grumbled.

“Oh, I have all the advice because I’ve made all the mistakes. Keep asking, sugar.”

“And so?” Amber pressed, eager for details.

“And so I made a fool of myself. I got Russell his promotion and he turned my life upside down. I didn’t like being used or lied to, so I met up with him in whatever forsaken country he was in. It was so hot and dry. Hard on the skin, I remember that. Anyway, long story made very short--I shot him. And he turned it into a tale of bravery.” She let out a bitter laugh.

Amber thought about Blair’s story for a moment. Both of them had been cheated on. Which meant Amber had likely been “the other woman” for someone Russell had dated between her and Blair.

Amber stood. “Pleasure to have met you.” She turned to her friend. “Watch out for this one. She knows how to aim a gun.”

Mandy choked on her drink, shooting Blair a worried look as the woman leaned over to pat her on the back.

Amber headed for the door, seeking a quiet place where she could pause and think about Russell and his get-ahead strategies. There was something she could use from that conversation. She was sure of it.

A hand reached out and grabbed her by the arm as she passed the second last table between her and solitude. It was Wanda, who ran the bridal store in town, sitting with Liz.

Gossips.

“I heard you’re looking for your father,” Wanda said, still gripping her as though Amber was in danger of running away.

Smart lady.

“I am.” Amber hunched down so she could lower her voice and avoid others overhearing them. “Do you know who he is?”

Both women shook their heads.

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