Champagne Brunch: The Stiletto Sisters Series

by Ainsley St Claire

  “Is there any way he could leave and fly home to the US?”

  “No, mate. He needs to pay off the hotel bill for their stay, and he’ll have some other fines to pay if he isn’t held over for domestic battery.”

  “Thank you. He told my nephew he was on his way to San Francisco.”

  “When he was arraigned, they would have held on to his passport. I’ll make sure, but if something changes, I’ll give you a call.”

  I give Officer Fields my phone number and email address. “Please call me regardless of the time here,” I tell him. “We need to know if he’s coming this way.”

  “No problem. Have a good day,” he says.

  We hang up, and I look at the disaster of my living room. My sister needs help. I’m going to try to talk her into a nanny for a while. I also need to see if Jim Adelson can help me with Marco tomorrow.

  I send him a message asking him to call so he’ll get it when he goes into his office in the morning. Seconds later my phone rings, and it’s him.

  “Your ears must be burning,” I tell him. “I just sent you a message.”

  “That’s why I’m calling. Is everything okay with Jeremy?”

  “I believe so.” My scrambled mind races to remember something, anything about what’s happening with Jeremy. “Uh, he seems to really have settled in at Nate’s. I think he feels secure there. It’s a great fit. Anyway, this is a different matter. We can talk in the morning, but I need a little bit of help.”

  “What’s going on?”

  I walk Jim through my sister’s relationship with Marco, what happened to bring her and the boys here so quickly, and what Clay told me tonight.

  I can hear Jim clicking a few buttons. “Where did you say he was?”

  “Cairns, Australia.”

  I hear more clicking from computer keys. “I don’t see him on any flight manifests yet, but we’ll keep an eye out.”

  “Thank you, Jim. I really appreciate this.”

  “We’ll also put him on the police alert when he arrives in the US. That will slow him down when he goes through customs. From there, I agree that we should find your sister some help. I have a few people who work for me who could offer both childcare assistance and security for her children. I’ll send Nina Sparrow over tomorrow, and you and your sister can see if you think she will work.”

  When I disconnect the call, I feel a lot better. At least for a little while.

  Once I’m lying in bed, my thoughts return to Mia. What on Earth happened tonight? I’m horrified by everything I saw online, but it just doesn’t match the woman I’ve gotten to know, and I don’t know what that means. I also don’t have any idea what to do with this information. Do her friends know who she really is? What kind of scam is going on here? Is she not the woman I thought she was?

  Chapter 20

  Mia

  I look at myself in the bathroom mirror. Today just flat out spiraled into disaster. After lunch, Marci called to tell me a bunch of fake stories about me are all over the internet, courtesy of less-than-reputable sources—she suspects Russian trolls. Now major gossip sites are picking up the false information. It sure would be nice if they at least verified whether I’d been arrested. But Marci assures me that Jim and his team are working on getting them down, and it’ll blow over.

  Then dinner with Axel went sideways fast. I hadn’t gotten the nerve to tell him anything about what’s going on—talk about baggage—when that man approached us. He was more aggressive than I’ve ever experienced. Thankfully, Peter and I have a signal. If I clasp my hands in front of me, he knows to intervene, and he was on it.

  As I smooth cream over my face, my mind races through various things I should have said to that creep.

  Get your facts straight.

  Viviana Prentis admitted her guilt. Why do you believe the crap on your fake news?

  Fuck you. What do you know?

  That man clearly believed the false news reports. He believed them enough to say something, and the looks I got on the way out told me he wasn’t the only one. He was just the one brave enough—or dumb enough, actually—to speak out.

  I hate knowing there are people out there who believe I had something to do with Cecelia’s death.

  My stomach rolls. I left Axel on the sidewalk and jetted away. Who knows what he thinks right now. I didn’t explain anything. I rub my hands over my face. What a mess this has become. I was upset and embarrassed, but he deserves better. It’s after midnight, but I decide to text him. I find my phone and sit down on my bed.

  Me: I’m really sorry about tonight. I’m embarrassed.

  Axel: Don’t worry about it. My six-year-old nephew was outside when I got home. It was a good thing I came back early.

  Me: Is your sister okay?

  Axel: Just tired. Get some rest. I’ll catch up with you later this week.

  I put the phone down and get into bed, but I still feel unsettled. He didn’t ask if I was okay and didn’t seem to want to talk. It’s late, though, and his house is full of family troubles. I wish I would at least have thought to remind him that not everything on the internet is true. Hopefully he didn’t pick now as the time to finally research me.

  I sigh. I don’t know what to think. We don’t really know each other that well. This is a lot to throw at someone you’ve only known a couple weeks.

  Damn it. I hate you, Viviana Prentis. I lay all this mess at your feet.

  By Tuesday morning, four days later, the articles are still just as ugly, and I still haven’t heard anything from Axel. It was the world’s longest weekend. Claire and Ryder finally took me out last night and commiserated with me about the horrors of being publicly lied about. Despite what they say, we all agreed that not all press is good press—particularly when it’s entirely fabricated.

  Today I’m working from home, but I find myself watching the boardwalk below my window rather than my computer screen. I’m convinced the people walking dogs, runners, bicyclists, and couples strolling along the boardwalk are all conspiring to distract me from my work. Not that I’m particularly focused in the first place. Don’t people have to work? What are they all doing out there? Then my phone rings.

  I pick it up to answer. “Hi, Mason.”

  “Hey. I just got off the phone with Nate. We’re working on a departure time for early Thursday morning for the wedding. I think the goal is to leave at six. Is that possible for you and Axel?”

  My heart drops. I can’t bring myself to tell him I haven’t heard from Axel in four days. “That works for me, but I have a feeling Axel is going to pass on the trip. His sister and her four kids arrived suddenly on Saturday morning.”

  “Oh, that’s too bad. Well, check with him and let us know. Nate’s in depositions today, so I’m touching base with you and with Jim and Kate to see if that time works. We want to play poker Thursday and Friday night if everyone can get there early enough.”

  “I can be there at whatever time works for everyone else. I’m pretty flexible this week.”

  “Mia,” Mason says softly, “I know the fake crap on the internet has been brutal. I’m sorry if that’s affecting you or affecting things with Axel.”

  I sigh. I was also a jerk, and I haven’t reached out to him either, but it’s not worth explaining. “Thanks. That may be a factor, but he also had to fly his sister and her four kids, all under seven, in from Australia, and it’s been a bit hairy.”

  “You deserve someone awesome. I hope you know that.”

  Mason always says the right thing. “Thank you.” If I don’t change the subject I just may cry. “What is going on at Diamond?”

  “Some of the board was taken in by what they saw all over the web, but Jim was quick to point out that none of the information was confirmed, or reported by actual news sources, and that you’d only been deposed by Viviana’s attorney. They calmed down after that.”

  “That’s good news. Whether it’s real or not, they can’t be excited that I’m getting all this negative pre
ss. I’m sure this is Viviana’s way of discouraging me from testifying. Thanks for looking out for me.”

  “Always. How are things at Flirt?”

  “We’re getting close to our full San Francisco launch, now that things are going well with the test group. The team is killing it. I just meet with them once a week. Emerson really helped me hire the best. Now we just have to keep it from being stolen out from under us. Have you heard anything from Jim or Gage about the pirating in China?”

  “I believe Clear Security is elevating the matter to the State Department through a contact of Walker Clifton’s. We hope to know more soon.”

  “Okay, keep me posted, and I’ll do the same.”

  “So, what’s next?” he asks.

  I sigh. “A beach in Hawaii.”

  “Can’t wait. Let me know what you find out about Axel, and unless we need to change, plan for Thursday morning at six.”

  “You haven’t run that by Caroline yet, have you?” I tease.

  He chuckles. “Of course not. I’ll set the alarm and roll her out of the house with coffee in her hand. She’ll sleep most of the flight and be fine.”

  “I’ll text everyone once I know about Axel. I’m not optimistic.”

  “Do you want me to call him?”

  That’s the last thing I want. I adore Mason, but I need to handle this myself. “I can manage this. Promise.”

  “I can tell him he doesn’t know what he’s missing,” Mason offers.

  “As tempting as that might be, I need to be sure he does what’s right for him. I’ll call and check. See you on Thursday morning.”

  We disconnect, and I take a deep breath and call Axel. He answers on the third ring.

  “Hey, Mia.”

  “Hi. How’s it going with your sister and her family?”

  “It’s a bit overwhelming.” Axel sighs. “The boys aren’t used to any structure, so I’ve been working elsewhere. At the library I get in trouble for talking, but coffee shops are too loud.”

  “You’re welcome to use my office at Flirt. I’m not there, and the network is secure.”

  “That’s nice. Thanks. But I’m managing. My sister is overwhelmed, and I’m supporting her the best I can.”

  We’re quiet a moment.

  “You’re a good brother.”

  He doesn’t ask anything about how I’m doing today, so I’m taking that as a silent message. I’ll give him the out so we can at least part as friends. If he no longer has any interest in me, there’s no reason to delve into the insanity my life has been the past few days. “I’m guessing you probably can’t make it with me to the wedding in Maui this weekend?”

  He heaves a big sigh. “I really shouldn’t go. My brother-in-law is threatening to show up, and I worry about leaving my sister alone.”

  “I get it,” I say.

  The line falls quiet again.

  “All right. I’m going to get myself to the gym and finally get going today,” I tell him. “I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Sounds good.”

  The call clicks off, and I highly doubt we’ll talk again.

  I really liked him. I brush a tear away. Why is it that professionally I’m a rock star, but my personal life is a mess?

  I don’t always like to air all my dirty laundry, but I just feel awful right now. I text my friends.

  Me: I’m single again and could use my friends and some liquid refreshment. Drinks at Tiger Den at 6:30?

  Toni: You’re singing my song. Yes, please!

  Caroline: I’ll be there.

  Claire: I have a Flirt drink date. He’s changed the date three times, though. I’m not optimistic.

  Elena: Count me in.

  Tinsley: I will be there early. I need the excuse to get out of here. I may even show up at 5, if anyone’s interested.

  Ryder: Can’t do 5, but I’ll be there at 5:30.

  Me: Thanks, you guys. I really need this tonight.

  I hit the gym and have to push myself to do thirty minutes of cardio. Normally I would get on the elliptical for an hour, but I can’t find anything to distract me from Axel. And I can’t think about this mess for an hour straight.

  After my not-so-vigorous workout, I go back home to pull together what I need to pack for Maui. Nothing is working for me, though, so I feel like some new outfits must be the answer. I make plans with my personal shopper tomorrow morning so I’ll have some cute things to wear this weekend, and then I get ready for drinks with the girls.

  When I walk into the Tiger Den, Tinsley is sitting at our corner table.

  She stands and gives me a hug. “What did he do?” she asks.

  I shrug, trying not to cry. “He’s giving me the cold shoulder, and he canceled on joining me in Maui. So again, I’m going to be stuck at a poker event and wedding by myself. I swore after Mason and Caroline’s wedding that I’d never be single at a friend’s wedding, and here I am a year later—four more gatherings, and I’m still going by myself.”

  “As a bridesmaid in my wedding, I fully expect you to come by yourself so you can cater to my every whim,” Tinsley teases.

  I laugh. “At least the expectations are all set.”

  “I’m really sorry he’s an ass.”

  “Honestly, it’s not totally his fault. I was accosted during a date, thanks to Viv’s publicity machine, and I freaked. We never talked about it. Who knows what he’s read on the internet since then.”

  “If the guy is going to be bothered by media hounds, it’s better he realize that now than after you fall for him.”

  I sigh.

  “No. Oh, sweetie. Did you already fall for him?”

  I shrug. “Maybe.”

  Tinsley gives me a big hug. “What do you want to drink?”

  “I’m considering going with tequila.”

  “Let’s do it. I’ll save you from getting totally wasted and drunk-dialing him later.”

  I grin at Tinsley. She’s so perceptive. “That sounds like the voice of experience.”

  “I never drunk-dialed Landon when we were dating.”

  I raise an eyebrow.

  “Okay, who hasn’t drunk-dialed someone?”

  Just then Claire comes in in a flurry. She has a bouquet of flowers with a red heart balloon attached that she’s written something on. She stops at the bar and orders before she comes over.

  “What is this?” I ask.

  “Read it. It’s a quote by my favorite philosopher.”

  I start to read.

  “Out loud,” Claire singsongs.

  “’Only time can heal your broken heart. Just as only time can heal his broken arms and legs.’ Miss Piggy.”

  We all laugh.

  “Thank you.” I give her a side hug as Tommy places a flight of sex on the beach drinks on the table in front of us.

  “I told her no drunk-dialing tonight,” Tinsley warns.

  Claire rolls her eyes. “Maybe I’ll drunk-dial him and tell him he’s being an ass. Plus, I just thought she could use them as a push toward her weekend in Maui.”

  I chuckle. “Thank you.”

  Ryder walks in with a tall, pink bakery box. She always has the line on good desserts. She presents it to me, and when I lift the lid, I’m sure I turn the same color as the box. They’re erotic cupcakes. Each has a three-inch penis on top.

  “They’re cock pops,” she announces.

  “Oh, let me see,” Claire says. “I think they used my last boyfriend for the model.”

  We break down into giggles.

  “He was small like that.” She shakes her head. “You never knew if he was inside or not. It was terribly inconvenient.”

  Ryder takes her cock pop and starts licking away. It’s like a lesson in oral sex on a tiny penis. We’re a puddle of laughs as she passes out our treats.

  Then Caroline arrives with a beautiful black box and insists that I open it immediately. Inside is a bright purple silicone vibrator.

  “It’s a Soraya. It’s ah-maze-ing. Mine got me th
rough a few nights before Mason pulled his head out of his ass—well, and maybe we’ve used it a few times together since.” She winks, and I laugh. “It’s a triple threat. It has incredible clitoral stimulation, a pulsating tip that hits your G-spot just right, and it pushes in and out like the gentle touch of a lover’s fingers.” She leans into the table, picks up a cupcake, and begins licking her own cock pop. “But I warn you, you may never need another boyfriend.”

  “I love mine!” Ryder announces. “I use it almost every day. It’s incredible.”

  I close the box, too embarrassed to admit that I love it.

  Toni has arrived now, and she also has a large bag. I’m almost afraid to ask what’s in it. She reaches in and pulls out a dartboard with a picture of a younger Axel.

  “Oh no!” I put my hand over my mouth. “We can’t.”

  “Oh yes we can,” she announces. “And we will.”

  She takes a hammer out of her bag, pounds a big nail into the wall, and hangs the board on it.

  Tommy rushes over. “What are you doing?”

  “We’re setting up a game of darts.”

  “You’re going to pay for the damage,” he warns.

  “I’m good for it.” Toni grins. She pulls out several darts and hands them to me.

  Suddenly I hear “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette playing on a karaoke machine, and I know Elena has arrived.

  By the time I turn around, she’s belting out the song. She has an incredible voice, and we’re all mesmerized. We burst into applause when she finishes and approaches the table.

  “I have a whole playlist,” she informs us. “Adele, Justin Timberlake, Gotye, and Sinead O’Connor—it’s the perfect break-up mix. Who’s next?”

  All eyes turn to me. “You will pay me not to sing,” I promise. I look around the table at my friends, and I’m so happy to have them.

  Another round of drinks arrives. “These are on the house,” Tommy says.