Goddess of Vengeance - Jackie Collins [118]
He hadn’t.
Well, he wouldn’t, would he? Too busy paying homage to Gerald M.
‘Who wants a joint?’ she asked, digging in her purse.
Ace shook his head as Cookie found what she was looking for and lit up.
‘In a cab? Really?’ Ace said to Max in a disgusted tone.
‘She’s upset,’ Max whispered. ‘Besides, it’s only one little joint. Nobody’s going to throw us in jail for that.’
‘You’re unbelievable,’ Ace grouched. ‘I drive all this way, and this is what we end up doing.’
‘Sorry,’ Max retorted. ‘But you know I wasn’t expecting you.’
‘Thanks a lot,’ he said restlessly. ‘You’re making me feel so frigging welcome.’
Ace’s bad mood was getting to her. Wasn’t it enough that she’d gotten dumped by Billy? Now she had to put up with Ace and his complaints.
Why couldn’t he relax and simply go with it?
Chapter Forty-Four
‘Did I just see little Max running out of here?’ Venus asked, as she joined Babby’s fast-expanding table in his poolside cabana at Mood.
‘Don’t tell me she left?’ Lennie said, frowning. ‘That damn kid – I hardly got to see her.’
‘Ah, the doting daddy,’ Venus sighed, as she slid into the booth beside him. ‘And may I say that you, Mr Golden, are looking great as usual. In all the time I’ve known you – you never change.’
‘I could say the same for you, Venus.’
‘Then say it.’
‘You look incredible for an old—’
‘Lennie!’ Lucky warned.
‘I’m teasing her,’ Lennie said with a big grin. ‘She knows it.’
‘Of course I do,’ Venus said, smiling. ‘Lennie and me – we’ve got a special relationship.’
‘Not too special, I hope,’ Lucky said.
‘What do you think?’ Venus said. Then, turning back to Lennie, she added, ‘How’s your movie going?’
‘Two more weeks of hard labour and I’m back in L.A.,’ Lennie said, picking up his drink.
‘For about five minutes,’ Lucky quipped, joining in. ‘We all know Lennie – he’ll be off again soon. It’s impossible for him to stay in one place for long. That’s how he rolls.’
‘And that’s how you like it,’ Lennie retorted.
‘My husband the workaholic,’ Lucky sighed. ‘But that doesn’t mean I don’t miss you.’
‘I know, babe,’ Lennie said. ‘But if we were together all the time we’d tear each other apart.’
‘True,’ Lucky agreed.
‘I wish you’d think of writing something for me,’ Venus said wistfully. ‘You know how much I’d love to work with you, Lennie.’
‘As if I’d trust you and your “special relationship” alone on location with my old man,’ Lucky said jokingly. ‘Surely you’re aware what they say about best friends?’
Listening to their banter, Denver was in awe. Not only was she sitting with Bobby’s illustrious parents, but superstar Venus was now in the house and had joined them too! It was all becoming a little bit surreal. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t encountered quite a few stars when she’d worked at Saunders, Fields, Simmons & Johnson – after all, they were a major Beverly Hills law firm and she’d represented some big names. However, this was different. This was up close and extremely personal.
‘We’ll leave as soon as M.J. gets here,’ Bobby said, leaning over and whispering in her ear.
‘Can I count on that?’ she whispered back.
‘Yeah. Sit tight. I just gotta go deal with a couple of things.’ And he was gone – lost in the heady mix of loud music, strobing lights and clinking glasses.
‘Hello,’ a voice said.
She turned to the man who’d moved in next to her. He was model-boy perfect and quite young.
‘I am Jorge,’ he said, with a strong accent. ‘I am here with Venus.’
‘Oh, hi,’ she said, sensing he felt as out of place as she did. ‘I’m Denver. I’m with Bobby.’
‘Bobby?’ he said blankly.
‘Uh . . . do you know Lucky?’
‘Lucky?’ He shook his head. His soulful brown eyes had the look of a lost puppy.
‘Lucky, Venus’s friend,’ Denver explained. ‘She’s Bobby’s mom, and uh, Bobby is my boyfriend.’
The word boyfriend immediately made her feel uncomfortable, it was so straight out of high school. But he was her boyfriend – or maybe lover would be a better description.
‘Ah,’ Jorge muttered vaguely.
It would be nice, Denver thought,