Page 46 of The Cinderella Secret
“I’m just jealous,” said Evan, and Aiden almost spit out his scotch. “If I wear black, I look like a cadaver.”
“Mm,” said Dominique, nodding. “Curse of the ginger. On the other hand, navy makes you look dreamy. Jackson always has to shift to a more royal blue to make it look right. And Aiden is the only one of us who can actually pull off brown.”
All the eyes turned to Aiden. “I…” said Aiden. “I like tweed.”
“And on that non sequitur,” said Jackson, standing. “I think I’ll pack it in. Anyone need a ride?”
“I was riding with Grandma, but maybe I’ll go with you,” said Dominique. “Has anyoneseenGrandma, by the way?” asked Dominique, surveying the room.
“I thought she went off with some horde of women,” said Evan.
“Her entire reason for being here was to connect with the Junior League,” said Jackson. “And once she did, I was told that my services were no longer required due to the fact that the Junior League would only be socially vicious at her.”
“The Junior League,” said Dominique, looking horrified. “Oh God. Please tell me she’s not trying to rope in Althea Redmond? I don’t want to join the Junior League!”
“I’m not sure those are connected,” said Evan.
“Yes, they are. The only reason I sit on half the boards I do is because Grandma wants me to be her proxy. And I hate the Junior League.”
“Get Jackson to tell her that you wouldn’t be a good match or something,” said Evan. “She’ll listen to him.”
“You may over-estimate my influence,” said Jackson.
“Not really,” said Evan. “Aiden, can I catch a ride with you?”
“Sure?” said Aiden. “I mean, sure.”
It took them a few minutes to say the appropriate farewells, but when they finally made it out to the valet, Aiden thought Evan looked awkward. Aiden’s Aston Martin arrived in front of the three other people who had been waiting ahead of them. Aiden pretended not to notice their dirty looks and tipped his usual amount. He thought Evan did notice, but he didn’t say anything, so Aiden certainly wasn’t going to say anything.
“Do you mind if we make a stop before we go home?” asked Evan, looking, if possible, even more uncomfortable.
Aiden opened the door to his Aston Martin and wondered what Evan was up to. “Sure,” said Aiden, cautiously. In the back of his mind he had a horrible fear that Evan was going to make him stop to buy drugs. Not that Evan had ever done that even when he was using, but Aiden couldn’t come up with anything but unpleasant reasons for Evan to make a stop.
“OK, good,” said Evan and pulled open the passenger door. Aiden watched with amusement as his lanky cousin tried to fold himself into the passenger seat of the vintage vehicle.
“Why, Aiden, why?” asked Evan, finally getting all his limbs inside, and Aiden laughed.
“It makes me feel like James Bond.”
“So buy a modern one with actual leg room. Did no tall people exist in 1964?”
“It would appear not,” said Aiden. “Where are we going?”
Evan gave him the address and Aiden found himself navigating to a neighborhood of office buildings, shops, and bars. It was a good area, with lots of people out even at this time of the evening.
“Just up ahead,” said Evan, pointing. “Park anywhere.”
Aiden did as instructed and pulled into a space as another car left. “You want me to wait?”
“No,” said Evan. “Come up.”
Evan led the way to an older building and then jogged up three flights of stairs. Aiden liked the building. Like the Aston Martin, it had a vintage look, with 1960s futuristic light fixtures and curves. Evan went down the hall and stopped in front of a door that had Murdock Esq. painted on glass.
“Murdock,” said Aiden with a laugh. “That’s the Daredevil’s real name.”
“I know,” said Evan with a grin and Aiden, despite being suspicious, smiled back. He and Evan had always liked comic books. It was nice to be able to connect with him on agoodchildhood memory. Evan reached in his pocket and pulled out a key, then unlocked the door to the office. “Come on in,” he said, holding the door open.
“OK,” said Aiden. “What is this place? He stepped across the threshold and looked around. It was an office suite. Front desk area, two offices, and a conference room. Nothing fancy. Just a nice office space. It was empty except for a coffee-maker with a bow on it sitting in the middle of the floor.
