One Foolish Night (Eternal Bachelors Club #4)

“How long are you staying?” Jay asked.

“Just for a week. I don’t think I can stomach it any longer than that. Particularly with that big party my parents have planned. Did you guys get invitations?”

Both his friends nodded. “I believe everybody in the Hamptons got invitations,” Zach said.

Jay nudged him in the side. “You mean everybody with money.”

Zach laughed. “That goes without saying.” Then he shot an apologetic look in Paul’s direction. “Hey, sorry, man, but you know as well as I do that your mother’s invitations are prioritized by net worth. No offense.”

Paul shrugged and downed the remainder of his beer just as Steve placed another full glass in front of him. “You couldn’t offend me if you tried.”

“Did you hear that, Jay? Looks like I’m going to have to try harder.” Jay and Zach exchanged a laugh, and Paul joined in.

“Are you guys coming to the anniversary party?” Paul asked.

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Jay claimed, “even though your mother has a knack for inviting the most boring single women—though they are pretty.”

“In most cases,” Zach qualified. “At the last party your mother held, there were a few duds.”

“I’m sure they made up for it by being extremely rich and well educated,” Paul added.

Jay leaned closer and dropped his voice. “Yeah, but would you rather fuck a gorgeous woman or a rich and well educated one?”

“One doesn’t have to preclude the other,” Zach said, grinning. “Besides, you can always turn off the lights.”

Jay turned to Zach. “Now, I know you don’t mean that. And the reason I know that is because you, my dear friend, never settle for anything less than perfect. So why should the rest of us?”

Paul shook his head. It was true. He’d never seen Zach with a woman who wasn’t stunningly beautiful, which made it even more surprising that Zach was still unattached. He had everything a woman could wish for: wealth, good looks, breeding, and charm.

“Back me up, Paul!” Jay added.

“You said it,” Paul responded.

“Well, in that case, who are you guys bringing to the party, given that the chances of finding a decent woman there are minimal?” Zach asked before drinking the last of his beer. He made a sign to the bartender to pour him another one.

“I might just go stag,” Jay answered. “And you, Paul?”

Paul took another sip of his beer. He hadn’t expected to have to mention Holly tonight. But it appeared that he couldn’t avoid the subject. Not that he would tell his friends much at all. “I brought someone for the week.”

Two pairs of eyes swung to him, pinning him with curiosity.

Zach was the first to ask. “Who?”

“She’s a friend of Sabrina’s. You might remember her. Holly.” He tried to sound as casual as he could.

“So she’s visiting Sabrina and Daniel and you’re taking her to the party?” Zach wanted to know.

Paul took a sip from his beer and looked at the row of bottles that lined the bar. “No, she’s staying with me at my parents’ place.”

Zach’s jaw dropped, while Jay whistled through his teeth. “You dog! How did you land her? That woman’s a stunner! Would have tried it myself, but she disappeared after the wedding and I didn’t get a chance.”

“Too late,” Paul said. Jay wouldn’t get to put his hands on her. Paul would make sure of that.

“Hold it!” Zach interrupted.

Paul tossed him a questioning look. “What?”

Did Zach know more about Holly? Was he maybe even one of her ex-clients? Not that Zach had ever mentioned that he’d hired escorts, or that he needed to, given that he could get anything he wanted from a woman for free. But then, would a guy like Zach really admit to having hired a call girl? Would the shit hit the fan before things had even started?

“If she’s staying with you, then what the fuck are you doing here with us?”

For a moment, his heart stopped. Then relief coursed through him. Zach was just joshing him. His friend had no idea who Holly was. Just like nobody else would know. Nothing would happen. His and Holly’s secret was safe.

“She wanted to catch up with Sabrina, so I told her I didn’t mind.” When both his friends gave him doubtful looks, he added, “And once she’s had enough of talking to her friend, she’ll be waiting in my bed for me.”

If only!

Zach slapped him on the back, but Paul knew he didn’t deserve his friend’s admiration. He was a fraud. He’d hired Holly to be his pretend girlfriend and now he was bragging to his friends that he was sleeping with her.

What a piece of shit he was. “Another beer, Steve.”





14


“Oh my God, I can’t believe you’re here!” Sabrina hugged her excitedly.

Holly chuckled. “Let’s not squeeze the baby to death!” She pointed to Sabrina’s baby bump, which, at almost five months, was now showing.