Page 82 of Their Courtesan
“Hold on!”
Seth was never caught speeding. He didn’t even like speeding. Then again, he didn’t like putting excess miles on his car either, and since meeting Judith another couple thousand had easily been added.I would scrap this car for her.Seth never thought about his bank account anymore. For the first time in his life, he found a woman worth spoiling with his wealth. He’d buy a fucking Jaguar or Rolls-Royce if that’s what she wanted. Wasn’t there a reason he had hoarded his money for so long?
With any luck, this new collection of his would bring in millions more. This was only the start of something great.
They didn’t go straight to his townhouse, even though he was dying to show her his studio. Instead, they were due for lunch at the usual outdoor café. Zack and Joy would both be there. Seth had insisted they meet Judith – in Zack’s case, he wanted him to meet therealJudith. The one his best friend had intimately become familiar with.I’ll show him what a good match she is for me.Zack never gave his friend smack for the whole “paying for a girlfriend” thing in weeks, but it still hung between them every time they met and the conversation even slightly turned to relationships or art.
No one looked more comfortable than Judith did at their table. Dressed in an off-white, off the shoulder peasant top and denim shorts, she was the pinnacle of care-free and not about to take anyone’s shit. Which was good, because Joy was always looking to dish out some shit, and Zack could bullshit better than anyone else.
“Pleasure,” Judith said, shaking Joy’s hand over the four-person bistro table. She sat down again, legs crossed and loose ponytail tossing over her shoulder. No one could see her gorgeous eyes behind those big, gold sunglasses, but they could see her pearly-white smile. She wore minimal makeup, if any at all.
“How grand to finally meet this ‘muse’ Seth is always going on about.” Joy sat across from Judith, her large black Michael Kors tote hitting the bottom of a wiry basket. Judith had brought a white purse to hold her things. It currently rested right on the cement ground beneath her chair.Joy is probably having an aneurism over it.She liked things to stay… clean. “You don’t look much like your paintings, though. Must be the glasses.”
Seth knew that was how Joy spoke, but something flashed across Judith’s mouth. “It’s because I’m not naked. If I were nude right now, you’d see the similarities.”
“I’m sure.” Joy cleared her throat. “Did Seth tell you about the gallery opening next month? Your nudity is going to be plastered for all of New York’s art snobs to appreciate. He’s assured me that you’ll be there, but I’ve had clients tell me that about their models before.”
Seth and Judith exchanged glances. “He’s told me all about it. I’ve already scheduled time off work to go.”
“What do you do?”
Seth wanted to snort into his ice water, but Judith kept her cool. “Let’s say I work nights and weekends.”
Whatever Joy took away from that, she kept it to herself.
Zack showed up fashionably late, after the second round of telling the waitress to please wait until their fourth arrived. Arrive he eventually did, wearing his usual marina duds of loose khaki pants and a white cotton shirt.I know this is a casual place, Zack, but come on…Seth wasn’t exactly dressed up himself, but new jeans and a collared shirt had to count for something. “Hey!” Zack slapped Seth on the back and nodded to Joy. He did not seem to be in a hurry to greet Judith, who sat behind him. Even when he sat down in the seat to her right, he did not acknowledge her much. “Sorry I’m late. Lost track of time down at the dock.”
“Men and their boats,” Judith quipped. “You sail?”
Thatgot his attention. “Ever hear of thePriss & Moan?”
Judith caught a laugh in her nose. “No, sorry.”
“Good. I intend to keep it that way.”
Judith slightly cocked her head. Seth cleared his throat.Is he being an ass on purpose, or is he being humorous?Sometimes with Zack it was hard to tell. If he liked someone, it was humor. If he didn’t? Ass.
With Joy still there, no time remained to find out. The conversation, as soon as they finally ordered lunch, immediately jumped to work, not that anyone but Joy took it that seriously. Zack never took anything seriously. Judith was only along for the ride, even though she was the model. Seth should’ve taken it seriously, but he was too enthralled with having his beloved by his side, in the open air, shining in the sun and looking like the million dollars she would make off of him should he become her patron.
Zack knew about that. Joy, on the other hand, regarded Judith with nothing more than, “She exists, huh?” Joy never cared about her clients’ love lives, as long as they didn’t interfere with work. Seth hadn’t introduced Judith as his girlfriend, but it was pretty obvious they were sleeping together.Until last night, we hadn’t slept together at all.Tonight, he hoped to do it again. This time in his bed!
Joy only stayed long enough to have a salad and iced tea. As soon as the last leaf was gone from her plate, she shook Judith’s hand and insisted she come to New York in a few weeks. “I want everyone to see the actual inspiration for those paintings. It will sell themsomuch faster.”
Judith smiled. “Trust me, Ms. Cheung, I am also a saleswoman of sorts. I understand how that works, and would love to be there.” She brushed her fingers against Seth’s arm. Joy couldn’t help but stare, the cogs turning in her mind.Busted.“Seth insisted long before you did.”
“Yes, well…” Flustered, Joy pulled her sweater off the back of her chair and hoisted her purse strap on her shoulder. “Only fair that everyone see you’re the real deal.”
Both women exchanged a dark look. Seth looked to Zack for help.
“No offense,” he said, as soon as Joy left, “but she was talking about your naked breasts.”
Judith retained her smile. “I know.” Her lips parted. “Who hasn’t seen them by now? Fantastic, aren’t they?”
Even Zack couldn’t reply to that.
“Anyway,” Seth interjected, hand slapping the table. “What was going on down at the dock that kept you so long?”
“Some new hotshot in town bought the boat next to mine. You know. Schumacher’s old flotation device?”
