Goddess of Vengeance - Jackie Collins [31]
Out of my league too, she thought wryly. Way out of my league.
Or not.
Lately she’d found herself trying to talk herself out of being with Bobby. It was almost as if she didn’t feel she deserved him, which of course was ridiculous.
Or was it?
He’d never even noticed her in high school, so why was he with her now? She was the same person. Well . . . almost. Minus the braces and bad hair and chubby curves.
Sam had walked her back to her apartment, and she hadn’t invited him in.
‘Are you still seeing that guy you were with last time I was here?’ he’d asked, striving to sound casual.
‘Kind of,’ she’d replied.
Kind of! Bobby would throw a fit if he heard how offhand she sounded about their relationship. Why hadn’t she said, ‘Yes, we’re together. Very much so. I love him and he loves me. So sorry, Sam, that’s why I’m not inviting you in.’
‘Okay then,’ Sam had said. ‘Maybe you’d like to come by the set one day – watch them all ignore me.’ She laughed. ‘I can offer you a fine lunch off the catering truck,’ he added. ‘Whaddya think?’
‘Sounds irresistible. Only please remember I’m a working girl.’
‘We’re shooting all next weekend,’ he said, determined not to give up. ‘How about dropping by Saturday or Sunday?’
‘I uh . . . think I might have to go to Vegas,’ she said, keeping it vague. ‘But uh . . . I’ll call you.’
Great, Denver. Getting all friendly with an ex would not go down well with Bobby. What’s wrong with you?
Nothing. Or everything.
Suddenly she missed Bobby like crazy.
* * *
Finally Frankie returned one of Cookie’s seven calls. Max and Harry exchanged a relieved look, Cookie had been driving them nuts with her endless stream of comments about Frankie, all about what a stud he was, and how she could definitely fall for a guy like him, and WHY THE FUCK WASN’T HE CALLING HER BACK?
‘He wants me to go to the club,’ she announced, shooting Max and Harry a triumphant look. ‘Wanna come?’
‘No thanks,’ they chorused in unison.
‘Why not?’ Cookie demanded, already trying to decide what to wear.
‘’Cause I have to get everything ready for my party,’ Max said.
She was excited about the party; it was actually the first time she would have the Malibu house all to herself. And it was an amazing place, so perfect to throw a fantastic party. As long as she could keep everyone out of the house, what harm could anyone do? She planned on locking up all the bedrooms, the screening room, and Lucky and Lennie’s private studies. The enormous patio, the infinity pool, and the sandy beach would be more than enough space for everyone to have a great time. She estimated they’d invited around thirty people who would probably all bring a friend or two – so maybe they’d end up with seventy or eighty. Just the right amount of bodies.
Harry was busy organizing a deejay he knew, and Cookie had already booked the In-N-Out Hamburger truck to arrive at 10 p.m., so it was all go.
Max had still not made up her mind whether to invite Ace or not. He’d be a last-minute decision.
Cookie took off, and Max decided an early night wouldn’t be a bad idea, so after she and Harry had finished loading up her trunk with as many boxes of beer and tequila as they could fit in, she gave him a hug and headed for home.
Tomorrow would be a very busy day indeed.
* * *
Bobby was not happy. He’d had to postpone his flight to New York and now he was sitting in a strip club with M.J., the two male Russian investors, and the lone female who was obviously a raving lesbian the way she was stuffing hundred-dollar bills into the strippers’ almost non-existent g-strings.
Fuck! He wanted out. But he couldn’t leave M.J. to handle them on his own. They were a tricky trio.