Page 79 of Out of the Shadow

He nods. “We’ve basically run through everything. Why don’t you go help her out?”

“Wait,” Kaitlyn interjects. “Have I missed something?”

Blaine and I exchange looks. Smiling, I reply, “Angie and I are dating.”

Kaitlyn’s shock is almost comical. “No way!” she says, slapping the table. “I didn’t see that coming.”

“Our boy here can be sneaky when he wants,” Blaine replies.

Kaitlyn and I laugh, and a few minutes later she heads off for another meeting. My old friend hangs around for a chat. “I’d love for you to come into New York City with me tonight. Got invited to a hot club that has your name written all over it.”

“I doubt Angie’s up for it.”

“I get that, but I want to hang out with my buddy before flying back to LA. Something tells me you’re going to be spending more time in this part of the country from now on.” He bumps shoulders. “It’ll be like old times.”

I look upward. Angie was in no mood to be coddled, so maybe I should go. Blaine’s a true friend, and I’m grateful to him. Plus, we really haven’t had any time to hang out together. Pulling out my phone, I say, “Let me ask Angie if she wants to come.”

I send the text, to which she replies in the negative, and tells me to go out with Blaine. “Looks like I’m going to the party solo.”

His hand descends on my shoulder. “It’ll be just you and me, buddy. The car will pick you up around nine.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

After saying good-bye to Marlene, I head back to my apartment. Hanging out with Blaine tonight should be fun, although I wish Angie were coming.

After taking a shower, I go through my typical routine with my grooming and clothes, but somehow it feels empty. Because Angie’s not here. I grab my phone.

I’m leaving with Blaine in a few minutes. Last chance—are you sure you don’t want me to help you feel better?

Her response comes about five minutes later.I’m sure.

A few seconds later:Have fun.

Placing my phone in my back pocket, I head to the front of my building, where a car takes Blaine and me into the City. We catch up on the ride, sharing stories and reconnecting. When we get to the club, we’re escorted to the VIP section, where everyone wants to chat Blaine up since he’s a television producer.

I wander over to the bar and get two fingers of bourbon. It’s a surprise, and not a pleasant one, when Poppy appears at my right and orders a chardonnay. In the dim light, she looks ten years younger. Except her facelift has left her eyes open too wide. “Imagine running into you out here.” She air kisses both of my cheeks.

I don’t have any desire to engage, but I also don’t want to be impolite. “Thought you never left the Hamptons.”

She waves her wineglass. “Have to slum it sometimes.”

I clink my glass to hers, already scheming for a way out. Lacey and London Toalle capture my attention. Perfect. “Excuse me, but I see a couple of my friends over there. I haven’t talked to them in months, so I should go say hello.”

She leans in and kisses me on the mouth, just as a flashbulb goes off.Great. “I’ll see you around, King.” Ignoring the paparazzi, I rush away from her and approach the twins, greeting each of them with a kiss on the cheek. “How are you doing, ladies?”

London replies, “So much better now that you’re here, King. We haven’t seen you around since Mexico—where have you been hiding yourself?”

For once, the reminder of Mexico, and the fallout of the stupid decisions I made there, doesn’t sting. “I’ve been working for Blaine on his upcoming television show that taped out in Aroostook. It wrapped the other day.”

Lacey winds her arm into the crook of mine. “I love it out there. The parties are fantastic.”

I look down at the dark-haired beauty. London, Lacey, and I have been friends for years, and that friendship occasionally had benefits. Although I’d like to stay friends, I now have zero interest in the benefits part. “My apartment building has a great party every Thursday night, but I’ve been too busy with the show and the agency to enjoy much of the nightlife.”

“What agency?” London asks.

Flashbulbs go off to my right side. Ignoring them, I reply, “Russo Real Estate. The show’s about real estate agents.”

“Cool,” Lacey says, squeezing my arm. “Want us to remind you of what you’ve been missing?” For her part, London seizes my other arm and pushes her ample tits toward me. They’re glorious fakes. I know from experience.

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