Page 28 of Craving Paradise

“Hey, it’s been a while since we’ve last met. Congrats on the big night tonight.”

Alistair sung her praises long before I knew she was Autumn’s friend.

“Thanks. It has been a long time.” Ines smiles.

I’m trying to be interested in whatever Ines is saying to me, but Ren sitting next to her is distracting me.

“Hi, handsome. I’m Joe, Ines’ assistant,” the guy says, introducing himself to me. Oh, so he’s not her boyfriend, and judging by the way his eyes are looking over me hungrily, I’d say he’s not interested in women either.

I nod and smile at him before my attention is pulled to the woman sitting beside him.

“This is my sister, Lauren,” Ines introduces me.

Lauren looks up, her back straightens, but her eyes never move from mine, almost daring me to say something.

“Hi,” she says breezily as if we’re strangers.

“Nice to meet you, Lauren,” I greet, letting the letters of her name roll over my tongue.

“Daniel, it’s so good to see you,” my sister says brightly as my friend walks over to the table, interrupting the silent standoff I’m having with Ren—I mean Lauren.

“So good to see you too, ma fraise,” Daniel coos to my sister.

“Hey, that’s my sister you’re calling strawberry. You better not be flirting with her!” I warn, elbowing him. He can use his Frenchie powers on someone else.

“Hey, it’s okay for you to fuck all my friends, but it’s not okay for me to flirt with yours,” Autumn states angrily.

“Do not fuck my sister.” I point my finger at my best friend.

Daniel holds his hands up before shooting Autumn a flirtatious wink.

Is he trying to give me an aneurysm?

“You’re such a jerk. Where’s the rest of your friends?” Autumn asks, changing the subject.

“Alex couldn’t get out of work, and Alistair had to rush back to London as his parents were involved in an automobile accident.”

Autumn gasps at the news. “I hope they’re going to be okay.”

“They’ve been taken to Miranda’s hospital. I’m sure they are getting the best care.”

My sister nods at my explanation.

Looking over at Ines, I explain, “Ali is sorry he couldn’t be here for your first night. But he has left an open bar tab for us to enjoy on his behalf to celebrate your big night.”

“You don’t need an open bar before going on stage,” Joe warns his boss.

“Neither do you, you’re working too,” she jokes as Joe rolls his eyes before knocking back a shot.

“If that will be all, brother, carry on,” my sister grumbles, dismissing me.

“I think you’ve been told,” Daniel jokes.

My eyes narrow on Lauren, but she ignores me, concentrating on pouring herself another drink. I’ll have to wait to get her alone to get the answers I need.

9

JASPER