Hot Item (Hot Zone 3)

Cindy shot her a look of silent understanding, one only another woman could achieve, and continued to talk about the fixed computer files in order to distract her.

Nothing could take Sophie’s mind off the man at the bar, not even the white-wine spritzer in front of her, but she appreciated her friend’s attempt. As for the office computer system, they’d gotten back on track finally. The tech guys insisted it wasn’t a real derivative of the Klez virus, but more like someone had tampered with the system. They’d backtracked and tried to figure it out, but the trace led nowhere and they’d chalked it up to a freak occurrence.

“Good evening, ladies.” Miguel Cambias approached the table. “I’m so glad you called,” he said to Cindy, then leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.

Cindy flushed pink. “And I’m glad you could join us.” She patted the empty seat they’d saved for him.

Another chair for Roper remained open next to Sophie and she wished her sister’s friend would hurry up and join them.

She looked up and smiled at their new guest. “Hello, Miguel,” Sophie said in her most gracious voice.

She still didn’t like the man, but she trusted Cindy’s instincts. Until she had a reason to think otherwise, Miguel was a presence she’d put up with when she had to. No reason to make her friend uncomfortable.

“We were just talking about the sudden change in weather,” Cindy said to her date. “From warm to roasting hot in mid-March. It’s so unusual.”

To Cindy’s credit, she smoothly changed the subject from the problems at work, keeping Miguel in the dark—where he belonged. Sophie relaxed, her shoulders lowering as her tension eased a notch.

“If you think this is hot for March, you should come to my country. The Dominican Republic is always hot. You would love it there.” As he spoke, he slid his arm

behind Cindy’s chair in a gesture that seemed natural, not forced.

According to Cindy, they’d begun seeing each other exclusively. She was happy for her friend, who deserved someone to treat her well. She rarely spoke about her life in California, but Sophie sensed it hadn’t always been an easy one.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” John Roper said, joining them.

Miguel signaled for the waitress and ordered a Chivas Regal, while Roper requested a green-apple martini.

Sophie suppressed a grin as she watched Miguel’s shocked look at Roper’s choice in drinks. Obviously he’d never experienced the man in all his metrosexual glory.

An Enrique Iglesias song replaced the latest pop tune and Miguel gestured to the small dance floor. “Would you like to dance?” he asked Cindy.

She met Sophie’s gaze, silently asking if she was comfortable enough for her to walk away.

Sophie glanced over her shoulder only to find Riley no longer watching Sophie’s table. Instead he was engaged in conversation with his friend Mike, whom she recognized as a client of their agency, and two well-endowed, obviously interested women.

She swallowed hard, reminding herself she’d turned him away tonight. “Go. Dance,” she said to Cindy. She didn’t need her friend for backup when there was little chance Riley would join them. Besides, she was an adult, and she could handle his disinterest as easily as she’d handled the interest he’d shown earlier today.

They left hand in hand, leaving Sophie with Roper, who enjoyed nothing more than good conversation. About himself.

Though distracted by jealousy, Sophie plastered a smile onto her face and tried hard to pay attention to the story of Roper’s latest escapade. Her sister, Micki, had her hands full keeping her best friend out of trouble, and with Micki away, John Roper had dug himself a nice-sized hole.

He lifted his glass, took a large sip, swallowed and said, “It would have been nice if the lady I met at the gym had told me she was married before I slept with her.”

Sophie blinked but before she could reply, John continued. “Can you believe she lied to me?” he asked, painting himself and not the husband as the wounded party.

She figured John had a point though, since the woman’s husband had tracked him down and threatened to smash his face in if he went near his wife again.

“It also would have been nice if she’d mentioned that he was an amateur boxer.” Roper downed the rest of his fruity alcoholic drink. “Glad I ordered another,” he said.

“It’s amazing the media hasn’t picked up on this one.”

Roper laughed. “It’s early in the season. Give them time.”

Sophie sipped her drink. “Perhaps you ought to know a little more about a person before jumping into bed with them?” she suggested, trying to think about what her sister would tell her friend. Thank goodness Micki would be back in two days. Then she could handle Roper’s latest crisis.

“And take the mystery out of it?” Roper asked, laughing. “No, you’re right. And contrary to popular belief, I don’t pick up strange women often.”

“Well, now you’ve been reminded about the reason why.”