“Good.” I slipped the menu over to her. “Then, you’ll need some food to keep up.”
“And drinks.” Xandi snapped her fingers.
“I don’t know about all that.”
Mr. Mole returned. A worried expression covered his face.
I looked up at him. “Is it fine?”
“I explained. He listened. I’m now to wait for his return call.”
Why?
I nodded. “Thank you.”
Mr. Mole went back to his spot.
Dima, why can’t you just let me give my guard to her? Is there more of a threat with Leo? What’s going on?
Drake came over. “Are you all ready to order?”
“No, sweetie, but I am in need of one thing.” Xandi batted her lashes.
“And what will that be, ma’am?”
“I need your number.”
“Girl.” I hit my head. “You already have something lined up tonight. Let him do his job.”
“Stop blocking, Rose.”
Drake winked at her. “I’ll bring my number over with the appetizer.”
I chuckled. “Well, alright then.”
Melissa laughed and it sounded like she really needed it.
From then on, conversation shifted to Xandi’s stories of hot sex in Paradise City. I didn’t think Melissa wanted to go back into the deadly topic that had been causing her anxiety for so long.
Since I would be dating here eventually, I asked her tons of questions about the scene.
Xandi broke down the Paradise dating scene.
She claimed that guys from the South were cheap. They expected both people to pay on the first date.
Apparently, the guys from the North were perverts. And if they paid for anything, they expected sex by the evening.
She found the men of the East to be loyal and traditional. However, East guys didn’t date outside of their race too much.
It appeared that the West was the safest place to find a rich man. Most of the people who lived there were business execs and artists ready to find the right woman and settle down.
Along with his number, Drake brought us a platter of house-made focaccia bread. On some, whipped goat cheese and black truffle topped it. Another boasted salmon rillette. Pomegranate and Swiss coated another.
“Yes, girl.” Xandi licked goat cheese off her fingers. “You see why I love this place?”
I swallowed. “Yes, I do.”
“Okay. Okay.” Xandi wiped her hands on her cloth napkin. “Now that the bread is sopping up the liquor. Tequila shots!”
“Yes, ma’am.” Drake hurried off.
“Absolutely not.” I waved for him to come back, but he didn’t see me. “Girl, we do not need tequila.”
“Yes. We do.” Xandi laughed. “I have some questions for you about your recent news articles, Ms. Helen of Paradise.”
I sighed. “Okay. Maybe we can do a tequila shot.”
Drake returned with a bottle of tequila and three shot glasses. Xandi continued to flirt with him. Melissa sat back and laughed.
Mr. Mole caught my attention as he walked over to me with his phone and held out in front of him. “Ms. Walsh, this is for you.”
I took the phone and placed it on my ear. “Hello?”
Dima’s dark, sexy voice filled the line. “The guards are there to protect you, not anyone else.”
“I know, but—”
“That’s that.”
I sighed. “I would like one of them to watch my friend until—”
“Why?”
“This would be a temporary arrangement until—”
“Why?” Dima’s voice held an edge. “And when I say the word why, Ms. Walsh, it means that I expect an answer. Immediately.”
I rolled my eyes. “And when I start a sentence, I expect you to let me finish.”
“You shouldn’t.”
“Excuse me.”
“You’re lucky I’m giving you a chance to explain in the first place.”
Xandi nudged me. “Shot. Shot. Shot.”
“Hold on, please.” Covering the phone, I grabbed a shot, swallowed it fast, and coughed. The liquid burned my throat. I put the phone back to my ear. “I’m back.”
“Oh. Joy.”
I frowned.
Xandi gestured at the bartender. “One more for us!”
I waved my hands at Drake, begging him not to do it.
He ignored me and poured another set of shots.
Dima continued, “Your guards remain with you until I don’t care about your safety anymore—”
“It would just be for a day or two.”
“Because?”
“Currently, I can’t explain.”
“You don’t want others to hear?”
“Exactly. So, please just let me—”
“Then, tell me face to face.”
I raised my eyebrows.
“Come outside.”
My bottom lip shivered. “You’re. . .here?”
“Back entrance. Someone will escort you.” He hung up.
My heart boomed in my chest. I handed the phone back to Mr. Mole, grabbed the shot, swallowed, and coughed again.
When I was able to regain my composure, I rose from my seat. “I’ll be right back.
“Looks like someone else is trying to line up big dick for the evening.” Xandi snapped her fingers.
I wouldn’t say that.
I headed off.
Xandi called back, “And don’t you forget that we have a lot to talk about, Miss Thang!”
A tall man stood in a black suit. He had a bright yellow tie. He watched me. When I came close, he signaled at me and led the way.
Shit. I’m going to see him.
I brushed the sides of my dress down.