Aster nodded gamely, though the truth was, she was growing annoyed. She knew Ira meant well, and maybe Trena did too. But she also knew better than to believe anyone ever acted purely out of goodwill. They were both working an angle, and while Aster had no idea what those angles might be, she knew it was time she stepped up her game and started working one too.
Ira had sprung her from jail, offered her a job, and given her a place to live, and for that she was grateful. But that didn’t mean he owned her. And it certainly didn’t mean he could use her as a means toward whatever endgame he was playing.
Or maybe it did mean exactly that.
Maybe Aster was in so deep, so indebted to him, he owned her completely.
All she knew for sure was that she needed a shower and a decent bed that didn’t reek of the bodily functions of the hundred or so people who had slept there before. She needed to take control of her life, and she needed to start now. Leave them with no doubt of who was ultimately calling the shots.
While it was nice having Ira steer for a while, truth was, Aster had always made a much better driver than passenger. Spotting James on the far side of the room, Aster stood before Ira and Trena and said, “Call me tomorrow. We’ll set something up. I’m sure Ira will be happy to pass on my number. But for now, I’ve got a date with a bubble bath, a carton of Ben & Jerry’s, and some much-needed z’s.”
EIGHT
SHE SELLS SANCTUARY
Mateo Luna approached the entrance of Ivy at the Shore and contemplated his choices. Technically, it wasn’t too late to bolt. In fact, it would probably be better for everyone involved. Or at least it would be better for him. Though it certainly wouldn’t be better for his family. They were depending on him. He literally held his little sister’s life in his hands.
The thought was sobering enough to convince him to move forward and go through with the plan.
While most people wouldn’t hesitate to seize the chance to become rich and famous, Mateo had no interest in fame, and he certainly didn’t aspire to live the life of a Kardashian. Still, he was desperately in need of a quick and sizable money grab, and while it remained to be seen if this particular path would provide the easiest route, if things worked out as he hoped, it would certainly be the quickest. And at the moment, speed was of the essence.
“Mateo Luna?” The hostess looked him over and waited for him to confirm. He nodded, wondering how she recognized him, when she said, “Follow me.”
She flashed a flirtatious grin over her shoulder and led him through the garden-like setting, past a patio known to be popular with celebrities, and toward a small table tucked away in the back, close to the fireplace. While the hostess was lovely, Mateo couldn’t bring himself to do much more than notice.
His life had revolved around Layla for so long that suddenly finding himself without her left him feeling adrift. He missed her smile, her kiss. He missed the way she’d slept curled up all around him, and he knew he wouldn’t be over her anytime soon.
She’d kissed another, which he’d already forgiven. Relegating it to a drunken slip, he was willing to put it behind them no matter how much it hurt. It was the lying he couldn’t accept. He’d truly believed they were different from most couples he knew. That they were honest and open—that they’d left nothing unacknowledged or unsaid. But Layla had hidden the truth, and while he still had no idea who had sent the text—what kind of person would act in such a deliberately mean-spirited way—there was no denying it was time to move on.
Problem was, Layla was a hard act to follow, and the heartbreak she’d caused left him too wounded to go looking for a replacement.
“Your server will be right over.” The hostess motioned to a vacant wicker-backed chair, and Mateo squinted in confusion at the pretty blonde seated among an array of colorful cushions. Her pink glossy lips curved into a grin as she slid her glass toward him.
“This is the most amazing chardonnay,” she said as though she’d been expecting him. “You’ve simply got to try it!”
He pressed his lips into a frown and looked all around. Clearly this was some kind of mistake.
“Well, sit down, silly.” She nudged his chair with her foot until he reluctantly lowered himself onto the seat. “Now seriously, try it.” She slid the glass before him. “I’m dying to hear what you think!”
He grabbed the glass by the stem and took a small sip. While he wouldn’t call it amazing, it wasn’t the worst thing he’d ever tasted.
She leaned forward, looked at him expectantly.
He ran a self-conscious hand through his hair. “Amazing,” he mumbled, forcing a half grin and returning the glass. His mind was in a whirl, trying to determine how the heck he’d found himself sitting across from Heather Rollins.
He’d met her once before, the night he’d stopped by Jewel looking to surprise Layla at work. Only Heather had found him first, and she’d made a big show of hanging all over him. While she was undeniably pretty, she just wasn’t his type. Heather was all sugar and shine—the girl equivalent of cotton candy. Whereas Layla was equal parts snark and smarts—her sweet side revealed to only a few.
He remembered how surprised he’d been when he’d complained about Heather, only to listen in shock as Layla had defended her. At the time, Mateo had taken it as further proof of just how far Layla had fallen and how fast.
“You should order one.”
Mateo had been so lost in his thoughts it took a moment to realize she was referring to the wine and had motioned for the server.
“No, I’m
good. Just . . . water, please.”
“You in AA?” Heather whispered the moment the waitress left, eyes widening as though she’d unwittingly uncovered a secret. Then, reading the perplexed look on his face, she said, “You ordered water.”