Page 27 of Earl

“Some might say you are crazy.”

“Some might.” He laughed, feeling the tight band easing from around his chest. He was exactly where he wanted to be and talking to the woman, he was very interested in.

“What do you say, Earl?”

“I say I have a very good thing going on here and cannot wait to meet you.”

“I think I am saying the very same thing.”

He settled back and prepared to spend the next thirty minutes talking to her.

*****

His footsteps faltered and at first the woman coming out Russo’s was a trick of the brilliant afternoon sunshine. But she turned just then, and he realized that it was her. His heart took a slowdive, and the memories came crashing back, turning his gaze hard and brittle.

He was about to turn away, when she saw him and came hurrying over, her hands loaded with shopping bags.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

“Still the same charming man, I see.” Diana said softly, large blue eyes staring at him hungrily. “I am here for a movie shoot. I assume you are here for business?”

“I am.” His eyes flickered over her lovely form draped in emerald, green cashmere, scathingly. “No entourage?”

“No.” She shook her honey blonde head. Turning towards the woman who had been trailing behind, she handed her the packages. “Eileen, would you go on ahead? Thanks.” She turned back to Earl and gave him a tentative smile.

“I was about to have lunch at the local café. I would love it if you would join me.” Her blue eyes were pleading.

“Not interested. Where is your teenage lover?”

She grimaced at his disparaging tone. “We broke up a long time ago.” She reached out a hand to touch his sleeve, removing it when he jerked away. “I would like to try and make up for the pain I caused you.”

“It’s over and done with and we don’t need to go over anything more.”

“Please.”

He was about to walk away when something In her face had him nodding reluctantly.

They did not speak as they made their way to the café tucked between the famous store and a jewelry store.

They were shown to a corner table. Earl loved Europe, where he was free to stroll the cobbled streets and pop into tiny restaurants without being hassled or stared at.

He ordered the Pastrami and Diana settled for the risotto dish.

“You look well,” he murmured reluctantly.

She appeared to be pleased at his compliment. “And you are as hot as ever.” She tilted her head and squinted at him. “You are still single.”

“For the moment, yes.” He did not think he had to tell her that he was dating someone online. “Who are you seeing now? A producer? Director?”

Diana picked up her glass and took a sip of the water. “I know you don’t think a lot of me…”

“I think you are a faithless bitch.”

She flinched at that, and he could swear that there were tears in her eyes.

“I was. I made a big mistake, for which I am still paying.” She waited until their meals had been placed on the table. “I was an idiot, and I have spent months berating myself.” She took a breath as she stared at him.

“You are a force, Earl. Your success, wealth, the social status are not easy for anyone to deal with. No matter how much we try, the fact is that you are a very wealthy man, a very powerful man, and that changes things.”