It boggled the mind that he could buy three tickets to The Nutcracker—which should be sold out this close to Christmas, so who even knew how he’d gotten them?—then just give them away like it was nothing. Not to mention send a car halfway up Long Island and back. She also thought it was interesting that he wasn’t trying to hide any of this. In her limited experience with rich people—donors at the university, for example, or some of the diplomats she’d met at her dad’s work parties over the years—they were always trying to pretend to be middle class. “The cost of living in New York, am I right?” they’d say, like they had something in common with her.

Not Max, though. He was who he was. A rich playboy. Not her usual type.

Not that she meant it that way. Not her usual type for friendship. Or anything. But somehow, with him, the extreme lack of hypocrisy sort of made up for the wealthy-playboy part. If he was the Depraved Duke, was he also the Blunt Baron?

The music from “The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” started earworming its way through her mind. Well, why not let him send his fancy car? It wasn’t like she was going to date him. Or sleep with him.

Or merge her bank account with his or change her research program for him or do his laundry for him—or anything for him.

Dani: This is lovely of you. Why don’t you send a car for my mom, then have it come get me? It will be nice to catch up with her, and I can lay the groundwork for my forthcoming crimes against fruitcake. Let me make sure she’s free, and I’ll text you to confirm times and addresses.

Max: Grand. Pass my contact info on to your mother in case there are any problems. You have my card, yes?

Dani: I do have your card. You have a Gmail address!

Max: Yes. That’s my real address.

Dani: As opposed to your fake one?

Max: Well, it’s the one I use for my friends. The family has a domain, and I have a professional address there.

Dani: And what is your profession?

Max: Man-whore, remember?

She laughed, and Dog Max started barking again. “I’m going to the ballet, Max.”