My white blouse is tucked into gray wide-leg pants, and my black heels are simple and sophisticated. With my makeup subdued and clean, there’s nothing about me that screams sexy, and I prefer it that way. Sure, I added a little shimmery copper-toned eye shadow to my lids and texturizing dry spray to my roots—thankfully back to blonde—before stepping out of the office. But that’s just because I want to look presentable.

The drive over is quick. I’m in awe as I walk into the space that’s to be the newest and hottest restaurant in LA. It’s stunning! There are already reservations booked up for a month out, and it hasn’t even opened yet. The only reason I know this is because, before leaving work, I caved, Googling Alexander Kasovitz and this new restaurant. And then I called Eve to ask her opinion on me going out with Alexander, a younger guy.

“Age doesn’t matter. Do you like him? If you do, you should go. And, if you don’t, you shouldn’t. But, Lauren, there’s something I think you should know about Sla—”

“No,” I snap. “Please, just don’t.” I bite my cheek, trying to maintain calm. “The whole ordeal is just … embarrassing. He treated me like shit the week I was there and hasn’t contacted me since. Of course, I’m dying to know what you want to tell me. But I can’t play that game.”

“I know. But there are things you don’t know. I think, if I told you about them, you’d feel better.”

“Please don’t make excuses. I don’t need you being Slade’s mouthpiece. If he can’t tell me himself, then I’d rather just delete him from my thoughts. I’m not letting him off the hook by speaking through you. If he wants to talk, he can be a big boy and call me himself.”

She blows out air, as though exasperated.

“So, what did Vincent say about him?”

“Slade?”

“No. Alexander.”

“Oh. He told me, ‘He’s cool.’”

“Does that mean, like, he’s a six out of ten?” I worriedly press my lips together. It’s not a date, but I also have no patience to see a guy who’s an asshole.

“It means that Vincent doesn’t do business with shady guys. I’m sure Alexander runs a clean operation. Anything more than that, I don’t know.”

An uncomfortable silence moves between us.

I clear my throat. “Okay. Well, I’ve got to get there. I’m just going to go and have fun. I don’t need to marry the guy. Slade might have gone through some stuff, but he was on drugs, and he is a liar. I can’t even believe you’re trying to discuss him with me after you saw what he did. Do you know I have discoloration on my back?” I look around the office floor, relieved that no one seems to be listening to my conversation.

“Don’t be mad at me for wanting to tell you,” she says in a rush. “You know I love you. I understand you’re still angry, and you have every right to be. Slade is in a bad spot, but he’s not a stranger. You guys had some amazing times. You know who he really is. I know you do.”