Page 124 of Their Courtesan
“I’m sure it’s not an issue.”
“Mrs. Warren, sometimes you severely underestimate us men.” When Monica double-downed in distress, Miguel added, “We don’t take defeat well, particularly if a beautiful woman is involved. I know I would’ve done anything to procure this patronage. I may not know this other man well, but I have a feeling he shares similar sentiments.”
“Do you know something that I don’t, Mr. Bolivar?”
“Hardly. Just a glimpse into the male psyche. Judith seems rather fond of him, so I thought I would ask. Don’t want trouble for her, you know.”
“Of course not. If there is an issue, you can trust that I will make sure it’s handled.”
“I do not doubt it.”
Monica squared her shoulders and heaved herself up, stomach first. “Enjoy the wedding, Mr. Bolivar. I’ll call you later this week to go over the details of the contract.”
“I look forward to it.”
He hoped that would be the last of such references after she left. Alas, the moment Monica freed up the chair next to him, someone else took her place.
“Hey, Mr. Monaco,” Zack said, sliding easily into the chair. His body language said“It’s cool, we’re friends,”but his face said“I could make your life difficult.”Miguel wasn’t sure which one bothered him more. “Surprised to see you sitting by yourself and not schmoozing half the world’s elite here.”
“I’m minding the fort, or so I believe ‘you all’ say.” Did he do that right?
“Holding down the fort.”
“Ah, yes. Holding, not minding.”
Zack’s smile disappeared with a heavy sigh. “Where’s your little missus? The hot blonde who was riding your dick all across the internet.”
He certainly had a way with words. “I believe she’s talking toyourfriend right now.”
Zack looked as if that was an actual surprise. “Is that so? How good to know. Here I had told him to avoid her today.”
“I can’t tell if that was for his benefit or mine.”
“Why can’t it be both? She is clearly with you today. No sense for her to distract my best friend from having a good time. Assuming you catch my drift.”
I know he wants her.Judith fancied him as well. As much as Miguel hoped she liked him? That was not something he wanted to delve into. “What can I help you with, Mr. Feldman?”
“Look, I’m gonna level with you.” Zachary lowered his voice, cheeks downcast and eyes serious. “No one is a better friend to me than Seth. So, you know, I’ve gotta look out for him like I would expect him to look out for me. I’m not gonna tell him who he can and cannot date, but I’ve been wary of this situation between him and Judith ever since I first found out about it.”
“What is there to be wary of?”
“Seth isn’t… well, he isn’t like you and me. You get me? I feel like you and I are kindred spirits in that we both love women.Lotsof women. Seth isn’t like that. In the few years I’ve known him I’ve only seen him date on a handful of occasions, and they all ended swiftly. He’s a fucking curmudgeon if you don’t know him well.”
“So I’ve gathered.”
“He’s a good guy, but he’s not good at playing the field and, well, I’ve always worried he was going to get seriously hurt being so involved with Judith. You’re better equipped to handle a woman like that.” Zachary absentmindedly glanced at Miguel’s abdomen. “Literally and figuratively, if those photos weren’t Photoshopped.”
How could Miguel do anythingbutsmirk at that?
“What I’m trying to say is that he’s going to get his heart broken if he keeps seeing Judith. I’m on both of your side’s. I like you, and I don’t want my best friend to get hurt. It’s best for everyone if he and Judith part ways. Don’t you agree?”
“I will not begrudge who she sees outside of me. I know what she does for a living, and she has my blessing. I wouldn’t have met her otherwise.”
“Uh huh.”
I’m so full of shit.Miguel said it calmly, but inside he entertained fantasies of being Judith’s one and only. All her attention. All her thoughts. He could give her enough money to make her loaded for the rest of her life, and she would never have to do that kind of work again.If I said that, she would be so mad.He kept smiling. “If you think Christens is going to be a problem, then I agree with you. I don’t want Judith having to deal with that. It’s bad for her business.”
“Sure, let’s say that.”
