“I’m told the Japanese delegation has arrived,” I told Ben. “I’m going to need you to welcome them on my behalf. I need to see to Trent Davis and his group; they just arrived via helicopter.”
Ben nodded. “The Davis party has been jotted down for three rooms.”
“He’s bringing some friends,” I nodded. “Ah, there they are.”
Ben nodded to me and headed off to welcome in the Japanese delegation, while I made my way towards Trent. Trent had gone to college with Jason and me. Even though we weren’t very close, we had partied together enough times to qualify as friends. Since graduation, I had run into him only a few times, but we’d always supported each other’s business ventures, which was why I assumed he was here.
It had been over two years since we’d last met, and I realized that time had not been kind to him. He had a visible potbelly and was balding slightly. He was still an impressive-looking man, but I knew that in a few years he would look like the spitting image of his overweight and bald father.
“Trent,” I greeted, shaking his hand. “It’s good to see you.”
“And you,” he said excitedly. “Man, you haven’t changed a bit.”
“Can’t say that I can say the same about you,” I teased.
He patted his belly. “What can I say?” he laughed. “We can’t all look as svelte as you.”
“Trent,” a skinny blonde said, appearing next to him. “Introduce us to your friend.”
“Fuck, right,” he said. “Everyone, this is my friend and the owner of this fine establishment, Tristan Dubois. Tristan, these are my friends from work, Ella, Jimmy, Trey, Dominic, and Jennifer.”
As my eyes fell on Jennifer, I felt a little spasm of surprise combined with instant dread. She looked the same. She still had a great body, good tan, long blonde hair, and seductive eyes that she had highlighted with just the right amount of makeup. She was wearing high heels, paired with a bright sl
inky dress that had tropical vibes about it.
“You don’t have to introduce us, Trent,” Jennifer said, and her tone was slightly biting. “Tristan and I go way back.”
“Oh?” Trent said as his eyes went wide with interest as he looked between us.
I kept my face calm and composed as I gave Jennifer a smile. “That’s right; we’re old friends.”
“Friends?” she repeated. I could tell she was still bitter about our breakup. “Is that how you refer to all your ex-girlfriends?”
I saw amused smirks and raised eyebrows from her group of friends and Trent let out a guffaw of laughter. “Some things never change, huh, Tristan?” he said, punching me on the arm. “I had no idea you were one of his many, many girlfriends, Jen.”
“Apparently, I was,” Jennifer said, smiling forcibly at Trent before turning to me. “You’ve done well for yourself. No surprise, considering that work was always your first priority.”
“Do I sense some hostility behind your smile, Jen?” the dark-haired girl in their group asked jokingly.
“Hostility?” Jennifer repeated. “Why would I be hostile? Every girl loves being treated like a second-class citizen.”
Trent whistled, and there was a tittering of nervous laughter from the group. “Uh…why don’t we check you guys in,” I said smoothly, flagging down Steven. “Let me get you some drinks, too.”
“That’s a great idea,” Trent nodded. “I think Jennifer might need something iced to cool her down.
She shot Trent a glare as I pointed the group towards the check-in counters. Trent and his friends followed Steven to the reception counter, but Jennifer stayed behind. I could see that there were daggers beneath her smile.
“So, it’s been awhile since we last saw each other,” she said.
“Uh yes, it has.”
“Do you even remember how long?”
“Two years?”
“Four,” she said curtly.
“Wow,” I said. “That long, huh.”