Cruel Fortune (Cruel 2)

We found our seats in the orchestra level and spent the next couple of minutes taking pictures together. Amy disappeared to get us drinks while I waited anxiously for the curtain. I fiddled with my phone, scrolling through my Olivia page on Crew.

Suddenly, my phone started buzzing, and Jane’s name flashed on the screen.

“Hello?” I asked uncertainly.

I hadn’t thought that Jane would actually reach out to me. I’d thought she was just being nice the other day at the party.

“Natalie, darling! It’s Jane.”

“Hey, Jane. How are you?”

“Lovely as always. I was about to walk into dinner with an investor for my little pet project. But I know this incredible martini bar that has the best bartenders in the city. I want to steal them all away. And I thought you should come with me. My treat for celebrating your fabulous book release.”

“Oh, well, I’m in Hamilton right now with my friend Amy.” I glanced around, hoping that Amy would show up any moment and help me make the decision about this.

“More, the merrier. I’ll text you the deets.”

“Thanks. I’ll have to see if we can make it.”

Jane’s laugh was soft and raspy. “You won’t want to miss this place. I have to walk in for dinner now. See you later, darling.” She made a kissy noise and then hung up.

I stared down at my phone in confusion. Jane Devney was a bit of a force of nature. She was seeing an investor? For what? So bizarre. And now, she wanted me to meet her for martinis? I did not understand her one bit.

“What’s that face?” Amy asked. She passed me a clear plastic cup of red wine.

“Jane Devney asked us to go out for martinis after this.”

“Oh, I’ve been meaning to tell you that Enzo invited me to this art bar in SoHo with some friends. They’re showcasing a new talent.”

“That sounds like you.”

“But I can cancel if you want me to come with.”

“No, you’re head over heels for Enzo. Plus, that sounds like it’d be good for business, too.”

“I’m head over heels for his dick. Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves.”

I laughed as the lights flickered overhead, announcing the start of the show. Everyone hustled to their seats, the lights dimmed, and the curtain rose. Showtime.

Three hours later, I brushed tears from my eyes as I rose to my feet for a standing ovation. Amy and I barely had words as we stepped out of the theater and back into reality. It felt too surreal to even be here when I felt like I was still living that moment.

“I just…” Amy murmured.

“Yeah.”

“Life-changing.”

“Genius.”

Amy shook her head. “I can’t believe I’m leaving you after that experience.”

I laughed. “Go have fun. Just make our flight in the morning.”

Amy kissed my cheek. “You’re the best.”

She grabbed the first cab that stopped for her and was off to SoHo for the night. I pulled out my phone and had a message from Jane with an address for the martini bar, Tilted Glass. I stared down at the message and shrugged. This was going to be interesting.

Tilted Glass ended up being only a few blocks from the theater. Even though it was cold, I walked through the throng of people and into the bar. It was tiny with only a smattering of two- or four-person booths and an L-shaped bar. Everything was dark with black leather seats, hardwood, and dim lighting. Still, I could pick out Jane Devney with her large fur coat and mile-high heels. Her signature oversize sunglasses were next to a half-empty martini glass with two olives.

I strode to the seat next to her. “Hey, Jane.”

Jane turned to face me. Her hazel eyes wide and unassuming. “Natalie, you made it. I’m so glad.” She snapped her fingers at the bartender. “Kendrick, this is Natalie. Treat her like a princess. And make it extra dirty.”

“Will do,” he said.

“Thanks,” I said.

“You do like dirty martinis, right?” She slid a hundred-dollar bill to Kendrick and winked at him.

Kendrick took the bill without comment. As if Jane Devney giving him hundred-dollar tips was totally normal. Maybe he was used to it since he was handsome, tall with dark brown skin and a shaved head. He wore a white button-up with a black vest over it. Looked to be the uniform, but he filled it out.

“I do actually,” I confirmed.

“Excellent. Kendrick here is the best damn bartender in the city. Natalie, tell him to come work for me at Trinity.” She fluttered her eyelashes at him.

“What’s Trinity?” I asked as Kendrick slid a dirty martini in front of me.

“My club,” she said nonchalantly. “I forget that you’ve been out of the city. I’m hoping to soft-open next month. It’s a testament to my love of the arts. Trinity is for art, music, and fashion, and I want to do something revolutionary with the space. Fashion shows and art exhibits and concerts, all within a classy, unforgettable club space.”