The Setup by Marie Ferrarella Read Free Book Online Page B

fitting, very small black dress, but then he brought his focus back to Jefferson. “It’s not time to lie down in the coffin yet.”
    Jefferson noted the way Blake was eyeing the blonde. Trying to meet and strike up a conversation with a stranger held absolutely no appeal for him. “You act as if I don’t do anything but sit in a corner and stare at the walls. Most days, I’ve barely got two minutes to rub together.”
    Blake made a disparaging sound as he dismissed Jefferson’s objection. “That’s work.”
    “That’s purpose,” Jefferson countered. Besides, he liked his work. It was useful and necessary.Industry would grind to a halt without corporate lawyers. The business world would dissolve in a sea of squabbles and heated arguments over rights and infringements.
    Blake spread his hands, not in surrender but as if widening the playing field. “All I’m saying is, have a little fun before you can’t. You’re still a decent looking guy—”
    Jefferson laughed, taking another sip of his drink. “Thanks.”
    “Hey, we all can’t be studs like me.”
    Jefferson had a feeling that Blake was speaking only half tongue in cheek. It didn’t bother him. When they were younger, it was Blake who had always attracted the girls. But then, Jefferson had been the one who’d gotten the only girl who counted.
    “The point is,” Blake continued, “you came down here, we’re going to have a fantastic time at the reunion, and you’re going to have a terrific date tomorrow night with Sylvie.” He paused, as if preparing to drop a bombshell. “Her family owns this hotel, you know.”
    As if that would make a difference to Jefferson. When he married Donna, he’d also taken on her school loan. Wealth, or lack of it, had never mattered to him.
    Jefferson smiled, amused. “So now you’re turning me into a gigolo?”
    Instead of denying it, Blake laughed. “Hey, it’s as easy to love a rich woman as a poor one.”
    Jefferson’s chunky glass met the top of the bar abruptly. He stared at Blake in disbelief. Just what was it that his friend and daughter were plotting? “Love? Who said anything about love? Aren’t you getting way ahead of yourself here?”
    Again, there were no denials, no backpedaling. The look on Blake’s face was enigmatic. “Just leave yourself open to the possibilities, Jeff. Sylvie sounds like she could really open up your eyes—not to mention your pores.”
    Pores. As in the old wives’ tale that having sex cleared up your skin. That was definitely a lot more than he had signed on for. “My pores are just fine, Blake.”
    “Oh?” Blake made no secret of scrutinizing his friend’s complexion as he asked, “When was the last time you were with a woman?”
    Jefferson was aware that Leo was back in their area. The taciturn man appeared to be listening as he prepared two mai-tais, even though he never raised his eyes from the blender.
    “I’m with women all the time,” Jefferson replied matter-of-factly.
    But Blake shook his head. “I’m talking one-on-one, Jeff.”
    “You’re talking too much,” Jefferson retorted. He made an impulsive decision. No, it was the right decision, he amended. Saying yes in the first place had been impulsive. “Look, I think I’m going to cancel. You and I can spend tomorrow night catching up, instead,” he suggested, thengrinned. “I figure the way you live, that should take about a week.”
    Blake was having none of it. He wasn’t about to let his friend bail out. “I’ve always hated one-sided conversations. Besides, didn’t I tell you? I’m going to be busy tomorrow night.”
    This was the first Jefferson had heard of it. Blake had promised to be available every day of his stay in New Orleans. That was part of the deal. “Oh?”
    “Yeah, attending that performance art function at the gallery in the Warehouse District.”
    “The one I’m attending,” Jefferson said, purely for clarification.
    “Yes. I know the woman who’s running it.