Chip’s eyes lit up. “Some girls I talk to about this think I’m crazy. Not you.”

“You’re not crazy.”

“It’s great to be with someone supportive,” Chip said as he took her hand and led her down the crowded staircase. Outside, they turned left and strolled up Second Avenue.

“Where would you like to go?” Chip asked.

“Let’s just walk for a little while. Later I’d like to take a stroll down by the river. With all the lights out I’m sure the skyline of New York will be just breathtaking.”

“Anything you want,” Chip said, his words slightly slurred. “My lady Rose, the night is yours.”

Georgina smiled. She was glad to see the drinks were hitting him. He hadn’t even realized she’d been pouring her drinks into his cup.

“Rose is such a pretty name,” Chip continued. “Were you named after anyone in your family?”

“No.” Georgina shrugged. “Were you?”

“My dad. But Chip isn’t my real name.”

And Rose isn’t mine, Georgina thought wickedly. We have so much in common.

11

C onrad’s conversation with his ex-wife Penny was thoroughly agitating. She knew how to get under his skin, push all his buttons, and needle him with seemingly innocent remarks.

The worst part was, he knew he deserved it. Penny was a very attractive woman, and they’d had a wonderful marriage. A wonderful marriage until Conrad suffered a midlife crisis and fell into the vixen Lorraine’s clutches.

“She certainly chose a luxurious new hotel to stay in now that the loft has been sold,” Penny said softly. “I hear they charge a fortune for a room. Will she be there until she finds a new place to live?”

“No, she won’t,” Conrad answered firmly.

“Do you think she’ll apartment hunt in Greenwich? There are some lovely—”

“You know she prefers the city,” Conrad interrupted.

“Well that’s good to hear. You wouldn’t want to be bumping into her around town. You do like your own space, don’t you?” Penny cleared her throat. “Now, don’t forget. We have Alexis’s twenty-first birthday party here at the house a week from Saturday.”

“I haven’t forgotten.”

“That’s good. I had Rod up here today with his crew. They spruced up the pool house. It needed painting and a few repairs. He really is marvelous.”

“Rod’s a contractor. I didn’t think he did sprucing.”

“For the right price he does. It’s only a couple days’ work. You’ll get the bill.”

Conrad squirmed. Soon he’d be paying the expenses of two ex-wives. It was galling.

“It was good to see him. It had been a while. You didn’t tell me he was doing the renovation on the loft for your old neighbors.”

“They told me they were looking for a good contractor. I recommended Rod because he’d done such beautiful work on our house years ago. I probably should have kept my mouth shut. I don’t need him discussing my business with you.”

“He didn’t, dear. He’s such a sweet man.”

“A sweet man when he shows up. Is he finished?”