J.M. Jeffries - Love's Wager

“She sings almost every night. And the great thing is you never know who’s going to join in.”

Miss E. clapped her hands. “That is what I want for the resort, Nina. This incredible joy and fun wrapped up in old-world elegance. Casa de Mariposa is a lovely lady, but dull and uninteresting. I want you to make her interesting.”

“First, let’s eat, dance, and if so inclined we’ll sing. And tomorrow I’ll work out some ideas and come up on Wednesday to go over everything with you.”

Miss E. filled her plate with an assortment of food and dug in. Nina had one hand on the plate and the other with her fork when a voice sounded behind her.

“Nina. Darling.”

She turned to find her ex-husband Carl Durant standing behind her. Carl was a handsome man with whitish-blond surfer hair, dark blue eyes and a fine, blond stubble on his chin. He was impeccably dressed in black jeans and T-shirt. He’d told her once that wearing black made him look mysterious. Nina thought he looked ridiculous. The black made him look washed-out and tired.

Hanging on his arm was his newest love, the tiny, barely legal, bubblegum-blonde Tiffani Diamond he’d dumped Nina for. Tiffani wore a tight white dress with black shoes and clutch purse. The white did nothing for her fair complexion though she’d tried to make up for it with heavy eye makeup and her hair pulled into long ringlets about her face.

Nina pasted a half smile on her face, prepared to be nice to Carl.

“Carl, how...how’s tricks?” Since their divorce, his career had nose-dived. He’d decided he didn’t need her anymore since his career was made. How ironic. She tried not to gloat—it was bad karma. Maybe for a moment.

“I have a lot of balls in the air, juggling a lot of things. Just thought I’d drop by to say hello. And Tiffani here landed a part in CSI .”

Nina leaned forward. “As a dead body?”

Tiffani stiffened with a glare at Nina

“Be nice, Nina,” Carl chided softly.

“I thought I was. What brings you here?”

“Tiffani wanted some of your mother’s quickies.”

For a second, Nina had no idea what he meant. “You mean quindim .” She was surprised Tiffani ate. She didn’t look like she’d had a decent meal in years.

“Those coconut flans,” Carl explained. “Tiffani loves them.”

“Really, Tiffani,” Kenzie said. “You eat?”

“Not since 2010.” Nina was being nasty and knew it, but couldn’t seem to play fair.

Tiffani flashed an angry scowl at Kenzie and Nina. “Come on, Carl. Maybe we should just leave.”

“We just got here. This is the place to be, sweetie. Look, there’s Benny Simmons. I hear he’s looking for a new leading lady for his next show. Let’s talk to him.” Carl guided Tiffani away and Nina watched them glide toward Benny, who looked like he wanted to dive under the table.

“What did you see in him, Nina?” Miss E. asked curiously.

“Looking back, I loved his passion, his artistic vision and a part of me wanted to bring that to the world.”

“So you were more in love with the possibilities rather than the realities.” Kenzie studied Nina, a glimmer of sympathy in her eyes.

“I wanted us to create art together. But eventually money got in the way. And don’t get me wrong. I understand about business and the adage ‘you’re only as good as your last film.’ Carl started believing in the hype I worked into his media campaigns. He wanted the perfect Hollywood life and that included an up-and-coming actress, not me.”

“Rule number one,” Miss E. said sagely. “Never believe your own press.”

“He stopped being grateful and started being demanding. He thought I would continue working on his career after he cheated on me and left me.” Her parents had brought their vision of music to Hollywood and never compromised on it. “I saw him compromise his vision and our marriage. I felt hurt. Betrayed. He left me when I told him how disappointed I was in him. In his mind, I didn’t have the right to be disappointed. While he was escorting Miss Tiffani around, I was supposed to get back on the train and keep promoting his career.”

“You didn’t, did you?” Miss E. asked.

“Not a chance. Since I quit being his marketing bitch, the only films he’s gotten recently are Space Dogs from Mars and Baby-Momma Slashers and Shark-A-Conda .”

“Would it be bad form if I snorted?” Miss E. said.

“Go ahead, you’re not drinking,” Nina said.

Miss E. snorted and Nina burst into laughter. “How poetic that the only offers he’s getting are these films when he thought he was the next Scorcese. Who by the way, still takes my phone calls.”

“That’s a litter box moment,” Miss E. said.

“I don’t understand.” Nina frowned.

“You were being catty, dear,” Kenzie said with a pat on Nina’s hand.

Nina found her gaze straying to Carl and Tiffani. Her mother had gently pried them away from Benny Simmons and eased them to an empty table nearest the dance floor. Benny looked relieved and Tiffani looked disappointed.

“You know he’s not going to stop hounding you.” Miss E.’s gaze had followed Nina’s and she studied Carl and Tiffani.

“I had that impression.”

“You should come to Reno and put yourself out of his sphere.”

“So my taking the job and coming to Reno would be doing me a favor for my mental well-being.” Nina grinned at Miss E.

“Exactly. He’d be too stupid to find you in Reno.”

“He’s not stupid. His problem is that his ego wins over his intelligence every time.”

“Don’t worry, dear, you’ll find love again,” Miss E. said with a sympathetic pat on Nina’s hand.

“I know,” Nina said with a sigh. “I like to think of him as my training-wheels husband.”

“At least you found a husband, unlike some people I can name.” Miss E. directed a gaze at Kenzie.

“Granny, don’t even start,” Kenzie said, warning in her tone, one finger held up.

“I was referring to your brothers, Scott and Donovan.”

“Miss E., Hunter is getting married. That’s the best we can do at the moment.” Kenzie shook her head with a sigh, though her lips quivered with laughter.

“You guys are just a funny as ever.” Nina grinned widely at Kenzie and Miss E. She’d always felt comfortable around Miss E. and Kenzie, despite the tragedy in their lives. Kenzie and her brothers had Miss E. to fall back on. Nina’s family wasn’t so different. Her parents shared the same values with Miss E. “I need to juggle some things around. I can be in Reno on Wednesday. That gives me enough time to flesh some ideas.” She could do this.

“I know you’ll come up with a powerful campaign.” Miss E. rubbed her hands together. “I can barely wait.”

“I hope you’ll be pleased.” Nina’s fingers itched for her iPad, but she’d left it in the car. “What about your brothers? I know Hunter has already taken charge of the new spa. What about Donovan and Scott? I’ve never met Scott in all the years we’ve known each other.”

Kenzie leaned her elbows on the table. “Donovan is taking over the restaurants and updating the menus. Scott is done playing army man and is taking over security. He’s back in DC right now, packing up his condo and getting it ready to be sold. He should be back in another week or so.”

“And what about your job at Saks?” Nina queried Kenzie.

Kenzie grinned. “I’m working for the family now.”

“I can’t believe you’re leaving Manhattan.”

“Already done. Sold my apartment two weeks ago and I already have a lot of ideas for updating the boutiques.”

Mama Torres returned to the table, a plate in her hands.