Jo easily saw through all the trappings to the friendly personality beyond. Just as their drinks were set down, the last two people in their group arrived. Where Gabriella came across as warm and friendly, Cristal, like the expensive champagne as she explained while taking her seat, was cold and brittle except with Gabriella.
The woman was also flashy and drew attention with every move she made from the dramatic sigh at their table being stuffed into a corner, to the shimmering gold lamé dress that hugged every curve. Her bright blonde hair cascaded down her back in a mess of curls as if she’d just hopped from bed tousled and mussed. All the men in the room were staring except Rhys and William who had turned to Jo and Gabriella to discuss appetizers.
“Do you want appetizers?” David asked his girlfriend.
“Maybe some bruschetta.”
David was tall, dark, and handsome. His jet-black hair and olive toned skin were a perfect foil for Cristal. Instead of appreciating what she had, Cristal’s eyes trailed over Rhys and interest sparked in their blue depths. Jo almost snorted in contempt. This woman had no chance with Rhys. Gabriella, on the other hand, was his type. Warm and inviting. But cold and hard? Nope. He received enough of that at the charity events and from his first fiancée. It pleased Jo when he only tipped his chin instead of releasing Jo’s hand to shake Cristal’s. Maybe it was petty, but this was her Valentine’s Day, and she would not have her fiancé drooled over, especially by a woman who had her own man sitting next to her vying for her attention.
After the two ordered their drinks and together they all ordered two appetizers to share, the conversation flowed smoothly with Cristal and Gabriella talking about interior design, Gabriella’s job, and Cristal’s shops.
Used to interrogations, Jo asked Cristal. “What types of shops do you own?”
“A spa and several salons.” Cold blue eyes tracked over Jo and if the contempt was anything to go by Jo was found severely lacking. “I’m sure one of my stylists could fit you in.”
Jo arched a cool brow. “As tempting as that sounds, I’ll stick with my stylist.”
Gabriella sensing the tension distracted Cristal with some gossip she’d heard at one of the salons. Jo leaned toward Rhys. “I thought Gabriella was an interior designer.”
“She is.” Rhys snagged a bruschetta and bit down. “But she also uses Cristal’s salons; it’s how they met, and how Cristal came to meet David.”
She heard Cristal sniff again and shook her head, unsure how long she’d be able to keep her mouth closed. How all these people could look at the fake blonde and not see what was right in front of their eyes was mind-boggling.
“Hon, what’s wrong?” Rhys asked as Jo continued to watch Rhys’s friends.
David didn’t look as if he did drugs and Gabriella and William had none of the tell-tell signs of repeated use either. Were they that naïve? Jo wondered how long it’d be before Cristal went to the bathroom.
Their waiter came to clear their appetizers and refill the drinks. Cristal stood and Jo barely kept from smirking. She hoped Rhys wouldn’t get too angry with her.
“I need to run to the ladies’ room.” Cristal picked up her purse, and Jo watched her walk to the archway that led to the main hallway before she disappeared.
With the noise of other diners, Jo was sure her question wouldn’t be heard. “David, how long have you known Cristal?”
His brown gaze met hers. “We’ve been dating a month. Why?”
Jo nibbled her lip. Before she could voice her suspicions, she spotted one of her many cousins headed her way. Statuesque and gorgeous like Botticelli’s Venus that she’d seen once in a coffee-table book. The only difference was instead of golden hair her cousin had deep red tresses.
“Jo.”
She stood and hugged her cousin. “Ronnie, what are you doing here?”
“I was hired as the pastry chef. Didn’t Aunt Maddy tell you?”
Jo looked Ronnie up and down and rolled her eyes. “You’re dressed a lot nicer than working in the kitchen warrants.”
Ronnie giggled. “I’m going to a singles mixer. I’m only here to drop off the dessert I whipped up for you.”
“Mom called you, didn’t she?”
“Of course she did.”
Remembering her manners, she turned and saw the wow expression on David’s face. Cristal sure as hell hadn’t drawn that from the man at all. Oh, this was too good. Jo was about to play cupid except with a police badge and gun instead of a diaper and an arrow. Leaning down, she whispered to Rhys. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’m about to change our Valentine’s Day up a bit.” Straightening, she grabbed her purse. “I need to run to the ladies’ room.”
Ronnie’s eyes widened while Gabriella set her cloth napkin next to her plate and stood, oblivious to what was about to happen. “I’ll come with you.”
Rhys snagged Jo’s wrist, and she bent closer to hear him. “You’re not arresting anyone, are you?”
“Nope.”
“You better not.” His gaze held a hint of worry.
Her chuckle was low and sultry. “Oh, if I did, I’d get out of trouble with you easily. I’m wearing the red bustier and black thigh-high stockings you were drooling over.”
His eyes heated to molten gold as they fell to her dress. “Are you now?”
“Yes, and if I really need to apologize,” she moved closer to his ear, so her breath ghosted across the fine hairs of his neck. “I have the crotchless panties on too.”
“Jesus, Jo.” He groaned as if in pain.
She quickly stepped away when the grip on her wrist loosened and led the way with Ronnie behind her.
“Jo-love, I know that look.”
“Veronica Rayburn, you are never to use that name. Or I’ll use the nickname the cousins came up—”
Ronnie’s hand slammed over Jo’s mouth. “Nope, no more Jo-love. But I know that look, Jo. You cannot arrest that woman. She’s David’s date.”
Jo knew Ronnie too and could
