“Did you see all those male models?” Hope smiled apologetically at Sean when his head snapped around. “Those were some mighty fine abs on that catwalk.”
“You do realize that most of them are gay with absolutely no interest in you,” Jade snarled as she strutted back to Vincent’s side, hip checking Lexi out of the way.
“That doesn’t surprise me at all. If they’re stuck working all day with balldevouring hags like you, I can see how that would turn them off to the entire female population,” Hope remarked.
Sean’s booming laughter made heads turn. “Leave a winner, Hope.” He took her by the hand, and the two disappeared into the crowd.
“Did you hear that? She can take those saggy breasts and that Elvira hair of hers and shove it—”
Lexi stepped up to Jade and pointed a finger in her face. “Shut it, Jade. Or so help me God, I’ll jam a Twinkie down your throat.”
“I’ve had it with you, White.”
“Lexi, baby! There you are.” Peter strolled over but stopped short when he saw Lexi and Jade ready to scratch each other’s eyes out. “Whoa! Am i interrupting something?”
“Yes.” Lexi, Jade, and Vincent answered all at once.
“Looks like I’m just in the nick of time, then,” he said with a cocky grin on his face as he wrapped his arm around Lexi’s shoulders. “Can I walk you to the after party? It’s just two doors down at Julian’s studio.”
“S-sure, I’d like that.” Lexi gave Jade one last dirty look then smiled apologetically at Vincent.
“Vincent, always a pleasure.” Peter held out his hand to Vincent and the two shook. Then he turned to Jade and gave her a perplexed look. “Oh, I’m sorry, and you are?”
“Jade,” she informed him through clenched teeth “Just Jade? Like Madonna or Cher, right? Nice meeting you. See you both at the after party?” Vincent gave a curt nod, and Peter smiled.
“Excellent.”
When she and Peter were out of earshot, Lexi asked, “Did you really not know who that was?”
Peter laughed. “Who, Jade? Everyone knows who she is. But you seemed a little pissed off at her so I figured I’d rattle her cage, maybe earn a few brownie points in the process so you’d save me a dance tonight.”
Lexi threw back her head and laughed. “You’ll be at the top of my dance card after that little display of brilliance. Let’s go. I could really use a drink.”
∙ 29 ∙
J
ulian’s studio was the perfect place to host the party. Most of the furniture was moved off the first floor of the warehouse, leaving a huge open space for people to mingle and dance. Out back, off to one side was the basketball court and on the other was a gorgeous outdoor garden for guests to escape to if the noise inside became too much. Drinks flowed, and everyone celebrated Julian’s success. Jade kept Vincent trapped in the center of a swarm of her twig-like sorority sisters as they chain smoked just outside the veranda doors and pounded shots of tequila like they were water. Lexi felt Vincent’s eyes on her when Peter whirled her around the dance floor, but she refused to make eye contact with him, knowing Jade would be at his side, staking her claim. Instead, she allowed herself to enjoy Peter’s company, even if it was simply to put the screws to Vincent. He deserved it. After her dance, she excused herself from Peter and searched the room for Hope. An unfortunately familiar face emerged.
“Alexandra White! It’s my lucky day running into you.” David Reid threw his arm around her shoulders, smelling of scotch and sweat.
“Mr. Reid,” Lexi said curtly, stepping out from under his arm. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”
“Call me David.” He reached into the crowd and tugged on someone’s arm. A miserable-looking Erica popped into view. “My girl Erica here made it happen. Her brother knows a guy who works for Stone. Long story, but she got us in.”
“Hey, Lexi,” she said softly as she glared at the side of David’s head. “How are you?” She forced a pleasant smile on her face.
“I’m fine.” Lexi looked back and forth between the two of them. She was about to ask what was going on, wondering what could have possessed Erica to spend an evening with David under any circumstances, but before she could ask, Erica gave a slight shake of her head, stopping Lexi.
“So, are you two enjoying yourselves?” she asked instead.
“Absolutely,” David grinned. “Top notch booze, tons of targets in the room to work. My kinda party.” He licked his lips. “You look gorgeous.”
“Thank you.” Lexi glanced at Erica and gave her a what-the-hell kind of look. Erica shrugged and pretended to gag.
“Erica, I need another drink. Can you go fetch it for me?”
At the word fetch, Lexi thought Erica’s head was going to explode. Either that or she was going to stab David in the heart with the plastic stirrer that poked out of his empty glass of scotch.
“Sure, Davey.” Erica didn’t even try to hide her distaste, much to Lexi’s surprise. “Lexi, we really must have a little chat later.” The look in her eyes said it all. Whatever Erica had to tell her was important enough that she would put up with this ridiculous treatment from David.
“I can walk with you right now, Erica, and we can talk.” Lexi took two steps, but David stepped in front of her.
“Actually, I need to talk to you about something. You girls can gossip later.” He waved his hand, rudely dismissing Erica. “Now, where were we?” He shuffled them a few steps to the left and suddenly Lexi found herself in a quiet corner, alone with David. “Much better.” He sighed, loosening his tie and smiling at her.
“What do you need to talk to me about, Mr. Reid?”
“Still with the formalities, Alexandra?” He leaned in and whispered, “Do you call Vincent, Mr. Drake?”
“What I do or do not call him is irrelevant to this conversation or any conversation we’ll ever have. Again, what do you need to talk to me about?”
David’s amused façade dropped, his tone turning serious. “Do you have any idea who I am? I’m a very powerful man, Lexi. I could make you a huge name in town. I have very deep pockets. Maybe if you were a little nicer to me,” he ran a finger along her arm, “I could help. You know, you scratch my back, I scratch yours?”
“I’m not scratching anything of yours, Reid.” Lexi was terrified and furious all that the same time. Fortunately her fury was winning out. She balled her hand into a fist, preparing to defend herself if necessary.