Page 13 of Gluttony
She checked her watch and then met his eyes again. “You don’t need to go anywhere else before then?”
He shook his head. Unlikely the family needed him, or if they did, they wouldn’t ask.
“I’ll be back in fifty.”
“I’ll only be a few minutes. Help yourself to a drink in the fridge and make yourself at home.”
She didn’t even consider it. She just checked her watch again. “I’ll be back for you. Don’t go anywhere.”
He frowned. “Where exactly do you have to go?”
Instead of answering, she cast her eyes around his place. “Do you ever think about using your celebrity status for something else other than making money?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
She sighed. “Nothing. I have to go.”
“It doesn’t meannothing.” He strode back toward her, only to have her back up from him. Then she planted her boots squarely on the floor and folded her arms.
“Fine. You want to know what I meant?”
“I’m all ears, babe.”
“You’re a big-budget movie star, yet you squander your income away on booze and things—”
“Objection, Your Honor!” He held up his finger. “Conjecture.”
She frowned. “Don’t you ever have a serious conversation?”
“I do when there’s something serious to talk about. Besides, I’m practicing. What do you think, does lawyer look good on me?”
“You could be using your celebrity for good, for giving back to the community, but… never mind. It’s none of my business. I don’t know why I said anything.”
It wasn’t her business, that was the truth, but she was the first person who had ever asked him to do something better with his money—with his status. Strangely, this meant something to her. She didn’t think he noticed the way her cheeks heated and her eyes brightened when she spoke about it. Whether she was just an opportunist who’d seen the chance to get in the ear of a celebrity, or a woman with altruistic tendencies, Bailey Haze had ideas about the world, and Tony didn’t fit into them.
Or she was hiding something. Unease squirmed in his stomach, and he had to remind himself the woman was ex CIA. She was adept at keeping secrets. He didn’t get a chance to push the subject. She holstered her gun and left, leaving him watching the empty space she’d vacated.
The woman intrigued him. She’d kept checking her watch during the drive. At first, he’d thought she was just eager to get her shift over, but...
He slipped his cell phone out of his back jeans pocket and dialed a number.
Two rings later, Sloan picked up. “Bras,” she greeted.
“Sloanie.”
“Wassup?” Muffled giggling came through, then it sounded like a hand covered the handset and—
Tony held the cell away from his ear. He didnotneed to hear his sister making out with her man. Jesus. If this is the reason why Max couldn’t meet him at the studio.
At least someone was seeing action. Since his rehab stint, he’d been encouraged to step back from all gluttonous activities. No drinking. No drugs. No gambling. No sex. That last one wasn’t in his contract, but he’d still followed the rehab rules.
He had to, or risk falling.
His stomach rumbled. Yep... hungry. On all accounts.
Sloan came back. “Sorry, about that. Max is... um”—more giggling—“did you want something?”
“You owe me.”
