Page 9

“I just wanted to talk. Did you file the paperwork I sent over? And send the documents to the lawyer?”

“I did. They’re done. But I didn’t hear back from her. Was something missing?” Riley turned the corner. Down the hall, a line cook sang off-key. She plugged her ear to hear Nico better.

“No, everything is handled. Nothing for you to worry about. I just wanted to… check in.”

“Okay,” Riley said. A small smile tugged her lips, and she rubbed it away. “Everything is fine.” The wall pressed into her back, and she rested her foot on it.

“Thank you, Riley. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Hire someone else, probably,” she replied.

“I could never do such a thing. You’re irreplaceable.”

“I’m sure you’d figure it out.”

That earned her a dark laugh. “Ah, yes, I would. But I won’t have to, will I?”

Riley straightened at the change of tone. “Of course not.”

He sighed, crisp and clear again. She blinked. Maybe she’d imagined the hard edge.

“You make my night, bella. I’m back in the city next week, and we can go over the next deal I’ll need you for.”

He was on a real estate kick lately.

“Sure thing.” Riley walked back into the bar and found Kristi watching her. Shots are not the solution. It’s Tuesday.

“Good night, Riley.”

Riley ended the call and slid back into the vinyl booth. She rested her head back and waited for the inevitable.

“You gonna go tuck him in, too?”

“It’s fine. He was just checking on a few things. Didn’t realize the time change.”

Kristi tilted her head, the glint in her eye turning predatory. “The man runs forty-seven companies. He knows how to do basic math. He knows damn well it’s not work hours. Stop making excuses for him.”

“What are you saying?” Riley forced herself to stay relaxed. “I—”

“You’re being naive.” Kristi leaned forward.

“How am I being naive?” Riley’s voice rose.

Kristi tilted her head the other way, studying her. Riley’s skin buzzed, uncomfortable and hot. Now the vodka’s kicking in? Really?

Kristi acted like Riley should know better. Riley’s parents couldn’t just wave the magic money wand and make her student loans disappear like Kristi’s dad could.

Riley clenched her teeth. That wasn’t fair, at all.

This wasn’t actually about Nico’s call. But did Kristi say what the actual issue was? No.

Riley’s gut burned. “Well, go on, then. Get it off your chest.”

Kristi’s eyes glittered like glare off the ocean. “I said what I said. He’s manipulating you.”

“For what?”

“You know what.”