Cruel Fortune (Cruel #2)(24)

Tilted Glass ended up being only a few blocks from the theater. Even though it was cold, I walked through the throng of people and into the bar. It was tiny with only a smattering of two-or four-person booths and an L-shaped bar. Everything was dark with black leather seats, hardwood, and dim lighting. Still, I could pick out Jane Devney with her large fur coat and mile-high heels. Her signature oversize sunglasses were next to a half-empty martini glass with two olives.

I strode to the seat next to her. “Hey, Jane.”

Jane turned to face me. Her hazel eyes wide and unassuming. “Natalie, you made it. I’m so glad.” She snapped her fingers at the bartender. “Kendrick, this is Natalie. Treat her like a princess. And make it extra dirty.”

“Will do,” he said.

“Thanks,” I said.

“You do like dirty martinis, right?” She slid a hundred-dollar bill to Kendrick and winked at him.

Kendrick took the bill without comment. As if Jane Devney giving him hundred-dollar tips was totally normal. Maybe he was used to it since he was handsome, tall with dark brown skin and a shaved head. He wore a white button-up with a black vest over it. Looked to be the uniform, but he filled it out.

“I do actually,” I confirmed.

“Excellent. Kendrick here is the best damn bartender in the city. Natalie, tell him to come work for me at Trinity.” She fluttered her eyelashes at him.

“What’s Trinity?” I asked as Kendrick slid a dirty martini in front of me.

“My club,” she said nonchalantly. “I forget that you’ve been out of the city. I’m hoping to soft-open next month. It’s a testament to my love of the arts. Trinity is for art, music, and fashion, and I want to do something revolutionary with the space. Fashion shows and art exhibits and concerts, all within a classy, unforgettable club space.”

“Wow. That’s amazing. Is that what the investor meeting was about?”

Jane nodded and downed the rest of her martini. “I’m working with all the best minds. You know John Forrester on Wall Street?” I didn’t nod, but she continued as if I had, “Well, he has a friend, Jeff Mathers, who works with bankers, and they’ve been setting me up with the right investors within the arts fields and on the club scene to pull it off. Already, I have a dozen fashion designers anxious to use the space and only the best celebrity entertainment.”

“Wow. Sounds like you know what you’re doing.”

“It’s been a struggle. You’d be amazed at the number of people who don’t want to work with a young woman.” Jane rolled her eyes and popped an olive in her mouth.

“I don’t think I would actually.”

“Yeah. Well, I’m going to prove them wrong.”

“I have no doubt. It’s pretty amazing to me that you’re not resting on your laurels,” I confessed. “So much of the Upper East Side is content to be rich and stay rich. Nothing else really matters.”

Jane twirled the new martini glass Kendrick had set before her. “I’m a driven woman. Much like you, I assume. I mean, your debut novel is killing it right now.”

“Thanks. It is doing pretty well.”

“And with Warren.”

I nodded.

“I’m so happy for you. Now, tell me everything. I want to know the real Natalie Bishop. Who are you seeing? You were with Penn for a while, right?”

“I…” I sputtered over my martini. “Uh, yeah, like a year ago. I’m not seeing anyone now. Just focused on my career.”

“Smart. But no one at all? All work and no play makes for a dull girl.”

“Well, what about you and Court?”

“Oh, you know,” Jane said dismissively.

No, I really didn’t.

“Is he going to meet us out?”

“He’s busy tonight, I’m afraid. Weekly poker game. You know how men are. No girls allowed.” She rolled her eyes and then reached out to grasp my hand. “You’re holding back. I heard you were seen with Lewis Warren. Tell me. Tell me.”

I tensed. “Who…who told you that?”

Oh god, had it already gotten out? Did everyone already know?

“It was nothing, I swear. Someone mentioned at the party that you showed up with him. I assumed it was more than it was.”

I deflated. My fear fleeing as quickly as it had come.

“I don’t know about Lewis.”

Jane laughed, squeezing my hand. “That sounds like you like him.”

“Well, it’s complicated. With my history with his friends, it feels like I’m crossing a line.”

“Your history from…a year ago?” Jane asked with an arched eyebrow. “That was forever ago. If you like him and he likes you, you’re both adults. You can do whatever you want.”

“I know, but…I did date his best friend.”

Jane shrugged. “So? Penn has moved on. Why shouldn’t you?”

My heart twinged at the words, and I suddenly felt like I was going to be sick. “He…he’s dating someone?”

“Oh, I don’t know if it’s serious. I’ve just heard all the rumors.”

“What rumors?

“Apparently he’s fucked half of the Upper East Side in the last year. He’s back to his old ways, seducing socialites and bedding every beauty who crosses his path. A modern rake.”