“For what?”
“She’s a dancer.”
“Don’t you mean stripper? Britney Spears wears more clothes than her. Check out her Insta.” Grace thrust her phone in front of me, and of course, I took it.
What did she have that I didn’t?
I flicked the three-by-three square tiles that told her story. She was pretty if you were into Brazilian bottoms and tiny waists. Exotic, with tight black curls and honey skin. “She’s pretty.”
“Anyone’s pretty with the right lighting.” Pepper put her phone down, placing her hand on my arm. “Just think about returning his call. I think you might give him hope with the silent treatment, and if that’s not your intention, then just call it off.”
“Oh, it’s off all right,” I said, pushing away Grace’s phone.
“It just sucks we’re not in the same house anymore.” Grace flicked her copper curl over her shoulder.
“Yeah, I guess,” I said, not feeling as letdown about it as they were.
Pepper and Grace exchanged glances. “But it must be okay living on billionaire's row?” Pepper asked.
“It’s a gorgeous house. I’m not complaining,” I said, keeping it casual.
“Hmm, and how’s the company?” Grace questioned.
I paused, unsure of how I actually felt about Barrett’s company. Over the last two days, I wasn’t sure if he wanted to kiss me or kill me. “Fine,” I added.
Grace held her hand in the air, signaling the waiter for the check.
“Fine!” Grace laughed. “McHotty was checking you out a few times.”
A flush of heat swept up my neck. I didn’t imagine it.
“Well, he’s a playboy. That means nothing,” I said, even though I felt it meant something.
“Yes, it was hard to miss the women around them last night,” Grace added.
“Connor and Barrett each had their fuck buddies for the night,” I said. A jerky hand movement by Pepper had both Grace and I staring at her.
“What? It was a bug.” She glared back. I always thought Pepper was overly interested in Connor, but since she seemed blissfully happy with Jake, I thought she had forgotten about him.
Overhearing Barrett and my brother talking about their pleasurable nights was irritating. Not only because they cock-blocked me from having the same nondescript, no-strings-attached pleasure—which I’d never had—but also because even though I knew Barrett fucked around, bearing witness to it stung. Maybe, if I’m honest, a little more than catching Hunter cheat, which sounded so utterly ridiculous.
“Fucking hunkholes,” Grace added, and we doubled over in laughter.
“You know, I think I might have called them that to their face when I was drunk.”
“Fuck. No.” Pepper giggled.
I nodded.
“Ladies.” The waitress placed the leather binder with the check in front of Grace.
She pulled out her black American Express and handed it to him to tap. “So I better run. Dane is waiting for his fellatio of dessert,” she said, smiling. The waiter eyed her as he handed her card back before walking away.
Pepper and I laughed. “Should we meet up later?” She slid her card back into her Louis Vuitton purse and stood, gathering her bags.
“What did you have in mind?” I asked.
“Dinner at the Inn, then a party in Montauk. Dane’s sister has a friend hosting on Lane Street.”
“I’m in for dinner, but I might sit the party out.”
“Oh, why? You're single. You should definitely mingle,” Pepper exclaimed.
“Yeah, at least before your mom pairs you off with someone else,” Grace added.
“Maybe for a drink then.” The girls were right. I didn’t want to get hitched up again. I needed to let my hair down. Maybe even meet someone and take him back to Barrett’s. That would really drive him mad. Ha.
“What are you smiling about?” Pepper asked, getting up.
“Nothing.” I scooped my bags onto my wrist and stood.
“You're such a dirty liar.”
“I don't know what you're talking about.” I giggled as I followed them out of the restaurant. God, if they only knew what dirty things I wanted to do.
* * *