Money Man (King Maker 1)

“Morning, sex goddess,” Lizzy teased, striding into the kitchen, looking flawless as always.

“Bite me,” I said back. I was a morning person, unlike Lizzy, but today for good reason I was very grumpy.

She popped her flavor selection into her fancy coffee maker and turned back to me. “So, how is your conscience this morning?”

I so didn’t need the reminder of last night.

“The same, bruised and on the verge of death,” I answered flatly. She giggled, thinking I was making a joke, when I was being dead serious. Then I turned the tides on her. “I didn’t ask you about the guy whose tongue you swallowed while bringing in the new year. Did you get his name and business card?” The last bit was a dig because Lizzy didn’t normally date guys who had business cards or could even spell “business card.” She liked them rough around the edges.

“Yes, that sexy man was Hans. He’s an up-and-coming model from Sweden.”

“I knew it. I’d pegged him for a model.” He had been too tall and too pretty to be anything else, from what I remembered. “I’m sure your mother would approve,” I said, cheekily winking at her, wanting to forget my choices.

“It wouldn’t be her first choice. But she’d probably be happier with him than any other guy I’ve dated. Besides, she’s not going to find out. I’m just glad you moved here so she can force dates onto you instead of me.”

I sighed as she laughed. My showing up on Lizzy’s door the week before Christmas with my story of betrayal by my fiancé had definitely taken some of the being single heat off of her. Her mother, Kathryn, had expected her to go to school to find a husband. A degree was a side benefit.

“We’re going to be late,” Lizzy said, winking as she drank her coffee. I knew that being late was a pet peeve of her mother’s, so I nodded and headed to my room to get ready for brunch.

By the time we made it the few blocks over to Lizzy’s parents’ place, my hangover was almost a thing of the past. The banana and water had helped significantly, so I was able to walk without pain showing on my face. I wasn’t a good actress and Kathryn had a discerning eye.

Inside their home, which was a lavish two-floor Park Avenue apartment within walking distance of Central Park, I was welcomed with two quick kisses on either side of my face by both of her parents. Her tall, regal father, Ted, was still an extremely handsome man with a full head of gray. Her mother stood at five feet nine—as tall as her daughter—and was still a blonde through and through, natural or not. Not a question I would ever ask.

We walked into her receiving room, which was decorated with a gray settee and two matching gray flowered patterned chairs, and sat while a butler brought in tea and coffee.

I took a seat near Lizzy in one of the dainty chairs while her parents sat on the settee opposite us. While we waited to be served, Kathryn asked, “How was your evening, dear?”

Lizzy turned and winked at me. I wanted to scowl at her but kept the smile on my face. “Fine, great even.” I was surprised at how easily that lie had come. There was no way I’d explain how my night really went as a blush blossomed on my face. The lie I told wouldn’t hold if I couldn’t keep a straight face.

“Good, good,” Kathryn said. “And you, Lizzy dear, how are you today?”

Lizzy, looking elegant and every bit like she belonged in this world, said, “Well, a bit tired if I must say.”

My smile slipped as my decorum faltered. My legs were crossed, but my hands, which were in my lap—ladylike, just how Kathryn had taught me—wanted to fist. Lizzy was playing games, like she planned to out me.

Thankfully, the butler walked in and announced, “Brunch is served.”

Ted stood, holding out a hand to his wife and helping her to her feet. “Well, I’m sorry to hear of it. I guess we’ll keep brunch short so you can return home and lie down.”

Behind her parents’ back, I pinched my wayward best friend, who only giggled. But I had to give it to her. She’d given us cause to leave if we wanted to.

We were ushered into the formal dining room, which held a king’s table, or rather a table that was far too large for two people. Four high-backed chairs were placed around the table, two at the head and foot and the other two opposite each other, exactly midway on the long end.

The pristine white-rimmed silver china was already set. Her mother currently had a thing for silver. The flatware was perfectly set for each course. Everything always in its place here, just as Kathryn wanted it to be.