Any Way You Want It (Brand Clan #2)(31)

“I have to go out of the country on business for a few days,” he told her. “You can reach me on my cell if you need anything.”

Zandra folded her arms across her chest. “I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

He nodded, tying his boots. “You still going to that fundraiser on Sunday?”

“Yes. Why?”

“I thought we could go together.”

Zandra sniffed. “Actually, I already invited Colin to go with me,” she lied.

Remy glanced up sharply. His expression was so ominous she took an unconscious step backward. “I suggest you uninvite him,” he growled.

Her temper flared. “I suggest you go to hell.”

He glared at her, a muscle throbbing in his jaw.

She returned the glare.

“Fine,” he muttered darkly. “I’ll go with one of your girls, then.”

Zandra froze, staring at him. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Set me up on a date with one of your escorts.”

Her jaw went slack. “I beg your pardon?”

“You heard me.” He pushed to his feet. “I was invited to the fundraiser. Since you won’t go with me, I’d like to take one of your escorts.”

Zandra was outraged, though she realized she probably had no right to be. “Why can’t you take one of your girlfriends?”

Remy gave her a small, grim smile. “Let’s just say we’re not on the best terms right now.”

“Oh, please,” Zandra scoffed. “We both know you could step out that door right now and have thirty women scratching and clawing one another to go out on a date with you.”

He cocked a brow. “Only thirty?”

Zandra wasn’t amused. “I’m not setting you up with one of my girls.”

“Why not?”

Good question. “Because I’m not.”

His lips twitched. “That’s not an answer.”

She swallowed hard as he sauntered toward her, his unbuttoned shirt exposing his beautiful bare chest.

“We’re friends, Remy. I don’t set up friends and acquaintances with my escorts.”

He smirked. “You had no problem setting up Roderick and Lena.”

Busted. Damn.

“Is that what you’re worried about?” he taunted. “That I might fall for one of your girls and make her my wife?”

The blood drained from Zandra’s head.

“Of course not,” she managed to croak out. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

Remy stopped before her, those penetrating dark eyes searching her face. “Is it ridiculous, Zandra?” he challenged softly.

She couldn’t breathe. She held his gaze for one heart-stopping moment, then turned away and stalked to the door, appalled by how badly her legs were shaking.

“It’s time for you to leave,” she said coldly.

He regarded her in silence another moment, then shook his head and met her at the door.

“Set up that date, Zandra.” It wasn’t a request, and she knew it.

She glared up at him. “Go to hell.”

A sliver of some emotion flickered in the molten depths of his eyes. “I probably will,” he murmured.

With that, he walked out the door.





Chapter Eight

Three days later, Zandra met Lena for lunch at NoMI, an upscale restaurant perched high above Michigan Avenue inside the Park Hyatt. When Zandra arrived, Lena was already seated at one of the tables that overlooked downtown and Lake Michigan.

“Hey, girl.” Lena stood and hugged Zandra, then drew back to admire her eyelet linen skirt worn with an ivory button-down top and Gianvito Rossi sandals. “You look gorgeous. As usual.”

“So do you,” Zandra said warmly. “Not only are you wearing the hell out of that pantsuit, but you’ve still got the glow of a blushing bride.”

Lena grinned, her dark eyes twinkling. “Well, there might be another reason for that glow.”

“What do you mean?”

As Lena reached down and coyly rubbed her flat stomach, Zandra’s jaw dropped. She stared at Lena. “Are you...?”

“Preggers?” Lena beamed. “You betcha.”

“Oh, my God!”

The two women squealed excitedly and hugged, drawing curious stares from the other patrons.

As they pulled apart, Zandra gently cupped Lena’s cheek in her hand. “I’m so happy for you and Roderick. You’re going to make wonderful parents.”

Lena’s expression softened with gratitude. “Thank you, Zandra.”

“I meant every word. Now sit, sit. I want details. Not those details,” Zandra snorted at the wicked look Lena sent her. “Everyone already knows you and Roderick can’t keep your hands off each other. Hell, it’s a miracle you didn’t get knocked up sooner.”

Lena tipped back her head and laughed.

When the waiter appeared, they ordered their meals—ni?oise salad for Zandra, chilled buckwheat soba salad with prawns for Lena, and the signature sushi platter for both.

“Excellent choices, Mrs. Brand and Miss Kennedy.” The waiter beamed, clearly delighted to be serving two customers who frequently appeared on the society pages of the Chicago Tribune.