Page 3 of Sapphire Spring

“People are asking if it’s true and how much tickets aregoing to be.”

“Oh my God!” Naser moaned into his palms.

“Am I allowed to ask who Googoosh is?” Gloria asked.

“The most famous Iranian pop star in history,” Jonasanswered. “She’s the Celine Dion of pre-Revolutionary Iran. Basically, if youwant to see a room full of Iranian Americans scream with joy, tell themGoogoosh is about to perform.”

Gloria clapped her hands together. “And she’s coming toSapphire Cove? How wonderful!”

Nasser dropped his hands from his face. “It’s not wonderful!Googoosh can sell out an arena!”

“All right, well, Dolphin Ballroom’s open Friday,” Jonas said.

“No, you guys aren’t getting it,” Naser said. “Googoosh isnot performing at the launch of my sister’s new handbag line. Pari’s justtelling everyone that so she can beef up attendance. But for us, that meansall ofPersian Orange County and Persian LA and possiblyPersian Chicago and New York will be clogging this motor court on Friday night,wanting to know where the damn Googoosh concert is.”

Jonas curved an arm around Naser’s shoulders. “I thought youpreferred Iranian American.”

“Persian is one less word, and I have a lot to get out rightnow.”

“All right, well,” Jonas said, “let’s look at it this way.If she fails to produce Googoosh as promised, the guests might filter into theother spaces, and it’ll be a banner night for Camilla’s and the bar. But Ifigure this is probably a misunderstanding.”

Naser gripped Jonas’s elbows and tried to level him with anexpression that conveyed a galaxy of disappointment and worry. “And I ambegging you, Jonas,beggingyou—do not give my sister the benefit ofthe doubt about anything ever.”

Suddenly Gloria was staring past them with a wide-eyed lookthat suggested Godzilla had strolled into the motor court and was lookingaround for a place to sit. Naser spun. A Mack truck with a tarp-enclosed cargobay coated in decades’ worth of concrete dust lumbered in between the idlingsports cars and luxury SUVs.

Gloria made a beeline for the open window on the driver’sside. Naser and Jonas followed. “Gentlemen, no offense, but we have a serviceentrance for a reason,” she called up to the truck’s driver.

“Sorry, it’s our first time here.” The driver leanedslightly out of his window, revealing more of his hairy and paint-splotchedleft arm. “We’re here to take down the pergola.”

“I’m sorry,thewhat?”Gloria asked.

“The pergola, you know. On your pool deck.”

“Oh, dear,” Jonas said. Naser spun to face him. Jonas shookhis head, expression suddenly grave. “Your sister asked if she could tent thepool deck, and I told her no because there was a pergola in the way.”

“And now she’s getting it out of the way.” Naser spread hishands and grinned. “What an amazing young businesswoman she is. We should allbe more appreciative.”

Chastened, Jonas bowed his head.

“Who sent you?” Gloria called up to the driver.

“Some fashion designerlady.”

“Oh, dear,” Jonas muttered.

Naser spun toward the driver’s side of the truck. “What’s inthe back of your truck, sir?”

“Jackhammers. What do you think? We going to play twentyquestionsor can I get to work?”

“None of the above, Prince Charming,” Gloria answered.

As Gloria began giving the driver instructions on how toleave, Naser grabbed Jonas by the shoulder and steered them toward the lobbydoors. “Is this just a misunderstanding too?”

“Where are we going?” Jonas asked.

“Your office. To do the worst thing ever, but ithas tobe done.”

“What?”

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