Page 16 of Bride By Coronation

Ramone's eyes light up, and he leans forward, reaching for my scarf. "You look fabulous, darling. And where did you get this scarf? Such a bold statement to make, but, girl, the masculinity is working for you."

I softly laugh, not realizing I forgot to take the scarf off.

He points at me. "And your dress! It's from the line three years ago, right? What did you call it? The...the Mankiller!" He snaps his fingers.

I laugh harder, asserting, "You have a great memory."

"That little black dress sold out in minutes!" he gushes.

"I remember."

"Well, it still looks amazing on you! But that scarf with it...wow! Just wow!" he praises.

I don't have the heart to tell him I only had it on with my coat. But I also don't want to think about Kirill, so I change the subject. "And what have you been up to lately? Seeing anyone new?" I bat my eyelashes, grinning.

He smirks. "You know me well, dear."

"So, who is he?" I question.

"Well..." Ramone glances behind us and then leans closer. He murmurs, "He's a little younger than what I typically go for."

"Really?" I ask, biting my smile. Ramone's in his fifties and always dates guys in their late twenties to mid-thirties.

"Darling, he's barely legal to drink," Ramone states.

"Cristal," Kyle interjects, and a loud pop fills the air. He pours the bubbly liquid into a flute, hands me one, then fills a glass for Ramone.

"Thank you," I offer.

"You're welcome. I'll be back soon with your caviar trio," he relays.

Ramone holds his champagne in the air. "To our fabulous selves."

I clink his glass. "Salute."

"Salute," he echoes.

I take a sip, and the refreshing bubbles slide down my throat. "So what's the name of your new boo?"

A blush crawls over his cheeks. He answers, "Lazarus."

"Lazarus?"

"Yes." Ramone's eyes light up.

"That's a unique name."

"It is. And he's a unique man," Ramone adds, then takes a large mouthful of Cristal.

"Where did you meet?" I inquire, knowing the trick with Ramone is to keep him talking about himself so he doesn't push for private info on me or Skylar.

His eyes darken. "If I tell you, it has to stay between us."

I pretend to zip my lips and throw away the key.

He glances behind him again, then whispers, "He's a dancer at the Cat's Meow."

I catch myself from gaping and nod, offering, "Guess he's got a killer body if he's dancing there."

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