California Girls(42)

“Daniel?” Finola tried to place the name. “Who is he?”

“Glen’s brother. He’s the one who told me, actually. Glen wasn’t going to do it. He told Daniel he would simply not show up. So Daniel had to do it. He’s been amazing.”

Finola’s gaze sharpened. “Oh, God, you’re not falling for him, are you?”

Ali flushed. “What? No. It’s not like that. He’s helped me cancel the contracts with the vendors and that kind of stuff. He’s been a good guy. Just don’t go anywhere bad, Finola. Seriously, I couldn’t handle it.” She turned away. “I know it’s not what you’re dealing with, but this is still huge to me, okay? I can’t take much more.”

“I’m sorry. I’m just looking out for you. A rebound guy is one thing, but Glen’s brother would be a big mistake.”

“As if that would ever happen.”

There was a moment of awkward silence. Finola searched for something to say. “How are you on money? Do you need me to loan you some to pay for things?”

Emotion flashed through Ali’s eyes. Her voice was controlled as she said, “I’m good.”

“What about the apartment? Weren’t you moving out? Were you able to change the lease to stay here or do you have to go?”

“I’ll be moving out, but it’s fine.”

Finola thought maybe she’d gone a little too far with Ali, so she smiled and said, “You could always move in with me. There’s plenty of room, especially now.”

Of course if Nigel did come to his senses and want to come back, having her sister around would be a problem. She supposed if that happened, she could get Ali a hotel room or something. Honestly, it would be easier if Ali turned her down, but she’d made the offer and didn’t see how she could get out of it.

“I think me moving in would be too complicated,” Ali said quietly. “What with Nigel and all. Don’t worry. I have it covered.”

Finola started to ask how, then realized she didn’t want to know. Because if Ali didn’t have it covered, then she was going to have to fix the problem and she was just not in a place to do that. She supposed she could ask Rochelle to help. Her assistant was certainly full of ideas and energy.

Before Finola could offer Rochelle’s assistance, Ali said, “Poor Mom. It looks like she’s going to have to wait a little longer for those grandchildren of hers.”

Finola grinned. “She sure is, unless Zennie turns up pregnant.”

They both laughed at the thought.

Ali grabbed her drink and pushed away from the counter. “All right, you. Let’s eat dinner. You said you brought ahi?”

“Yes, with salad and a side of broccoli.”

Ali made a face. “Seriously? You eat like that?”

“I have to stay thin for TV. You know that.”

“But still. Did you at least bring a dinner roll?”

“I’m not eating carbs right now.”

Ali sighed. “So fish, salad and vegetables. Oh, joy.”

Finola raised her glass. “And vodka, my love. There is always vodka.”

*

Zennie had never been a fan of eating in restaurants, so two meals out in two days wasn’t her idea of a good time. Although technically she’d only spent a half hour in the restaurant with Finola the previous night—she hadn’t actually eaten there. A thought that should have given her comfort, only it didn’t because her unease had nothing to do with the dining out experience, but was much more about the fact that she was on a blind date. Again. Worse, a blind date set up by her mother.

Zennie knew exactly how it had happened. She’d been minding her own business, reading the surrogacy contract Hayes had given her, when her mother had texted the details of the date. Zennie had been flooded with guilt, knowing how upset her mother would be at the idea of one of her daughters finally getting pregnant but not keeping the baby. She’d succumbed to self-induced emotional blackmail, which was the worst kind.

So now here she was, waiting for someone about whom she knew almost nothing. Her mother’s description had been brief. “C.J. is in real estate and I think you’ll have a lot in common.”

Zennie sat in the parking lot, telling herself it wasn’t going to be that bad. What was one more blind date? She picked up her phone and texted her mother.

I never asked what he looks like. How will I recognize him?

The answer came back almost instantly. I showed off your picture. C.J. will find you. Have fun.

Not exactly comforting, Zennie thought, getting out of her car and locking it. Meeting Clark had been much easier. No blind date, no expectation. She’d been at the zoo for a fun run and he’d been a volunteer. When she’d finished the run, she’d gone on one of the tours to learn more about the animals. Clark had led the tour. He’d been funny and interesting and they’d ended up talking after everyone else had gone. Before she’d left, he’d asked for her number, then had contacted her right away.

She’d liked Clark, she admitted reluctantly. He was a good guy and she was a little sorry things had ended the way they had. Maybe if he’d given her more time, she thought, then shook her head. No. Better that they’d broken up and gone their separate ways. She wasn’t the one for him and she was more convinced than ever that she didn’t actually have a one.