Georgia flashes me one of those saccharine smiles. “We were just wondering where your mind had wandered off to. Your cheeks are all flushed.”

I gulp. “Oh, nowhere exciting.”

Liar.

“I was just thinking about how different the pace is here than New York,” I say blandly.

Georgia gives an exaggerated sigh. “I swear, I don’t know how you and Dash can stand living up there. I just saw a story the other day about how big the rats are on the subway.” Georgia gives a delicate shiver. “I’m sure it’s as good a place as any for Dash to sow his wild oats, but I do hope he returns home to Palm Beach soon. Families should stay together, don’t you think, Zelda?”

“Oh, absolutely.” Zelda beams. “There’s nothing more important than family.”

OK, so clearly I’m not the only one on suck-up duty.

Georgia beams, then turns back to me. “What’s this I hear about your makeup business?” she asks brightly.

I pause. “I’ve been formulating my own line,” I answer slowly, certain there’s a trap door lurking somewhere in this conversation. “It’s cruelty-free, completely vegan, and has shades to suit all skin tones.”

“How cool!” Georgia exclaims. “Gosh, I just don’t know how I’d go about doing something like that. You must be so resourceful.”

“Thanks…” I narrow my eyes suspiciously.

“And starting your own company must take so many of those resources,” Georgia continues. “Do you have funding yet?”

“Not yet. But I’m talking to potential investors,” I fib. “And boot-strapping most of the start-up costs myself.”

“Still, you must need a lot of cash to get going,” Georgia says. “How lucky you found Dash, at just the right time.”

And there it is.

“What do you mean?” I ask sweetly, just asking her to come right out and call me a gold-digger.

“Because of his business experience,” Georgia says, eyes wide and innocent. “So he can give you advice.”

“Right,” I agree. “Advice.”

“Wait, you didn’t think I meant you were only interested in him for his money, did you?” Georgia exclaims. “Oh my gosh, no! The thought never crossed my mind.”

But now it’s crossed Zelda’s, if her frown is anything to go by.

I almost want to applaud Georgia. Either that or pour the pitcher of iced tea over her head. This is some A-grade passive-aggressive bitching going on.

But two can play that game.

Mimicking her saccharine-sweet persona, I flutter my lashes and laugh. “Oh, but Dash found me, didn’t you hear? Or ran into me, I guess you could say. He was jogging and not looking where he was going when we collided. I’d just run out for a quick smoothie on lunch break and the entire thing spilled down my shirt. He followed me back to the store, but I wouldn’t give him the time of day.”

I pause like I’m savoring the memory when really what I’m relishing is a chance to wipe that obnoxious smile right off Georgia’s face. “Of course, then he really turned on the charm. Weeks of chasing me before I even agreed to coffee. He does his best to hide it, but my Dashy has a romantic streak wider than the Atlantic Ocean.”