Page 54 of Just My Luck

“Well?” she asked.

We both smiled. Rick leaned over and kissed her. “This is all sorts of exciting. I feel like James Bond.” He laughed.

“You two look like the Property Brothers, but I guess I’ll take it,” she joked back. “Let’s get back. Nova should be arriving soon.”

We made it back to the hotel room and sat with everyone else around the speaker to listen in.

“You are looking especially nice tonight,” Kit was saying to Nova.

“Thank you. This dress…” She didn’t go on.

Besides somehow sneaking the shoes and the bag into the back seat of the rental when they’d been there for the meeting, he’d also left a garment bag.

Tonight’s dress was no less amazing than the one before. It was another floral-print, short-skirt, halter-top thing that I instantly hated. But then Nova had put it on and, of course, my mouth had watered.

Still, she was determined to toss it or sell it after tonight.

“Here, have some champagne,” Kit said.

“Oh, what brand is this?” Nova asked.

“Louis Roederer,” Kit answered. “Cristal.” We heard glasses clank. “I know things haven’t necessarily started off on the right foot with us, but I do hope we can put all that unpleasantness in our past.”

It was quiet for a moment. “Of course,” Nova said. The glasses clanked again.

“To new beginnings,” Kit said.

From there, the discussion turned to the food, the Onyx, and any changes Kit had made to the building. As he talked, it was obvious that he was proud of his work. Extremely proud.

Almost twenty minutes into the meal and that was all he could talk about. It was as if he was trying to impress Nova, but I knew it wouldn’t work. Nova was probably bored out of her mind. Not to mention worried that the listening devices would be found, and, most of all, scared of what she had to do next.

“Ah,” Kit said, getting my attention again, “it’s arrived.” We heard a snap and then there was a rustle. “For you. A sort of apology for everything you’ve had to go through this past week.”

I leaned forward and waited.

“Are these… real diamonds?” Nova gasped.

Kit chuckled. “I’ve never given anyone jewelry before sleeping with them before.” Kit’s voice lowered. “But something tells me you’re worth it.”

“Gross, man,” Rick said.

“As if she’d sleep with you,” Sofia shot at the speaker at the same time.

“I guess I do deserve them,” Nova said, adding a little annoyance to her tone.

Kit made a tsking sound. “You wouldn’t have been happy with someone like him. Trust me. Men like Jacob Mylonas will always be second fiddle. Now his older brother, Rick, that’s a man of my equal.”

I looked over to my brother, who visibly shivered at the comparison.

“I will never be anything like that man,” Rick said to Sofia, who smiled back at him and nodded.

“Yes, but he’s practically engaged.” Nova sighed. “I suppose if Jax is found guilty…” She dropped off.

“Rest assured, the man will get what he deserves,” Kit added.

“What do you mean?” Nova asked.

“Let’s take a walk,” Kit suggested.