Page 86 of To Tango, with Desire

“Oh yes, he’s very pleased his wife is a businesswoman. No doubt it’s a boost for him having a pretty, young thing who actually has a brain. Men don’t want Barbie dolls, at least not long-term.”

“You seem to have a lot of knowledge about that.”

Kiki laughed. “If that’s a dig about my age, well done.”

“It wasn’t.” It was about your character, girl.

“In fact, I had an amazing dinner with your husband the other evening, and he told me all about your success,” Kiki purred, smoothing down the skirt that I was adjusting.

I stifled a curse as the pin missed the fabric, piercing my finger. I sucked on the wound, doing my best to focus.

So, Kiki was here to gloat. How original.

“I’m so pleased,” I replied.

I wouldn’t ask for details. It didn’t matter, did it? Zane was always busy at meetings or out at dinners. Not that I was jealous. He had every right to meet with friends, but that he’d gone to meet Kiki alone annoyed me. It shouldn’t. But it did.

I reminded myself that I’d been on countless nights out with my friends without telling Zane every detail.

But still.

“Yes, as am I. Zane knows how to wine and dine a woman. We had a very enjoyable evening together. I’m sorry I kept him out so late.”

And then I remembered. Friday night he’d called to say he was meeting a friend for dinner. A last-minute thing.

“Zane and I have a very understanding relationship. I don’t keep tabs on him and he doesn’t on me.”

“No?”

“No.”

“I would’ve thought a man like that would have you under his thumb. Nothing more tantalizing than a married woman.”

“That’s crazy.”

“Not really. It’s quite common for some of these men to swap wives. But I have to admit that I’m surprised he decided to marry after his failed engagement.”

I ignored the smug look on Kiki’s face and focused on the bombshell that had exploded before me.

“Zane was engaged?”

Kiki batted her lashes, affecting innocence. “Oops. I said too much.”

“You’ll say a lot more if you don’t want to become a human pincushion.”

“Ouch. So his wife has a backbone. Well done.”

And then it all made sense. Of course the woman who’d broken his heart was his ex- fiancée. Every time I asked Zane about his past girlfriends, he’d deflected. I ended up having to come clean, confessing that Maryam had told me he’d had his heart broken years ago. That he had built up a wall since then. But he’d shrugged it off, pretending like it hadn’t been a big deal. That he was over it.

It was galling to think that I didn’t even know he’d been engaged. But why was it coming up again? First Maryam, now Kiki. It seemed like everyone had known. Everyone, but me. Swallowing my pride, I looked up at her.

“What happened? Why did they call it off?”

“You really should be having this conversation with your husband,” Kiki admonished, but the victorious look in her eyes told me everything I needed to know. “But I will say, he was very hurt. She broke his trust, and for that he’s never forgiven her. You must understand, trust is a big deal for a man like Zane. He’ll only let you in if he believes you aren’t going to screw him over. Once he’s hurt . . .” She shrugged. “Well, he builds walls.”

“How long ago was this?”

Kiki pursed her lips. “Oh, at least ten years. He was devastated when they broke up. She may have been the love of his life, Amira. Do you understand what that does to a man? To lose the one woman he has gifted his heart to? Well, he’s never been the same.”