Page 10 of No Promises
“Thursday…and as part of the deal, until then, yourest.”
“Fine.”
“Grumpuss.”
“Shutup.”
Christo walkedout of his bathroom to find Bartie waiting in his kitchen, helping himself to Christo’s coffee. He smiled at his friend. “How do Ilook?”
Bertie looked him up and down, snickering. “Ugly as sin, but smartenough.”
“Thanks, dude.” Christo laughed. He knew he looked good in the navy sweater and dark jeans, but he was nervous as hell. Bertie studiedhim.
“Dude, relax. This will be a breeze. All you have to do is talk about your newbusiness.”
Christo rolled his eyes. “We both know that’s nottrue.”
Bertie grinned, unrepentant. “You got me. Look, just stick to the truth – it’s easier to remember. Mr. Montecito, did you ever knowingly participate in illegalactivities?”
“No.”
“But you knew your father’s business was linked to organizedcrime?”
Christo sighed. “Yes.”
“Don’t sigh. Just say yes. Look, buddy, of course they’re going to ask you the hard questions. You knew this and agreed to the interviewanyway.”
Christo nodded. “I listened to the other interviews.” He began to smile. “Helena really met her match,huh?”
Bertie clutched his heart dramatically. “Do not speak ill of the lovelyHelena.”
Christo laughed. “Bert, you know what would actually make your fantasy real? Asking Helena out. Comeon.”
He grabbed his keys and Bertie followed him out of the apartment. “That,” Bertie said sniffily, “would involve me speaking to her, which I amnot.”
“Because she beat you atsquash?”
Bertie grumbled under his breath and Christo snickered. “Dude, let it go. Trust me, Helena is a pussycat.”
“God, you’ve fucked her, haven’t you?” As they got into Christo’s car, Bertie sounded half-angry, half-admiring. Christo shook hishead.
“No, I promise you I haven’t. Not Helena, not knowing how you feel about her. I’m glad I didn’t sink thatlow.”
Bertie clapped his friend’s shoulder. “Good boy.” Bertie sat back as Christo pulled the car out into traffic. Christo had always insisted on driving himself, even when he worked for his father, and Bertie watched the streets flow by. After a while, he turned to hisfriend.
“So…”
“Yeah?”
“You still obsessing over the clubgirl?”
Christo shot him a look. “I don’t want to talk abouther.”
“But you’re still hungup?”
Christo sighed, then nodded. “I can’t get her out of my head, Bert. She was so lovely, and I treated her like crap. I would be damn lucky to find a girl like that, and I blew it. All I think about is finding her andapologizing.”
“One of your twelvesteps?”
