I snort my wine up my nose, almost spraying her as I yell, “Rose!” She and Jake laugh, but I have to wonder if part of her statement isn’t true. She may have been unnerved by Jake’s interest in anal sex, but Rose is far from a prude.

Lucian leans around me, putting an end to any fantasy she may have been entertaining. “I don’t share…with anyone.” It may just be my imagination, but Rose looks almost disappointed for a moment before rolling out her lip dramatically in a pout.

The rest of the evening is light and fun. Lucian, although far removed from a struggling college student, is charming and at times irreverent. He has Rose and Jake laughing at all his jokes and hanging on his every word. Any fears I may have had about him fitting into my world seem silly; we are all perfectly at ease with each other. When the check comes, he insists on paying, which ensures that he moves into hero status.

We are enjoying our last drink before leaving when the one woman, other than my mother, that I never want to see stops by our table. Monique -Cruella- is wearing a fire engine red dress that fits like a second skin. Aidan walks up behind her, looking at his friend apologetically. “Luc, I didn’t know you would be here tonight,” he says by way of greeting.

Monique waves her manicured nails around the table, encompassing us all. “It looks like some sort of romper-room meeting. I recognize Lucy, but who are your other little friends, Luc?”

Beside me, Rose mutters, “Is this bitch for real?” I see by the slight twist of Lucian’s lips that he also caught her comment. He doesn’t bother getting to his feet to make the introductions, which I know is his way of dismissing Monique. Instead, he tightens his grip, pulling me closer before speaking.

“Monique, I believe you remember Lia, and these are our friends, Rose and Jake.” He then introduces Aidan who shakes hands with everyone, making polite conversation along the way. Aidan invites us to join them, and I’m relieved when Lucian says we were just finishing our last drink before leaving. His meaning is clear; however, Monique is as tacky and clueless as ever.

“Luc, darling, why don’t you come back and join us for the evening after you take the…her home? We were planning to stop by Oasis for a few hours after dinner.” Giving me a dismissive look, she adds, “They don’t admit anyone under age twenty-one.” Lucian finishes his drink, and we slip from the booth before he finally answers her snide comment.

“I am taking Lia home…our home. Enjoy the club, though. I don’t think you have to worry about being carded.” Aidan slaps Lucian on the back, laughing softly under his breath as we pass by. He clasps my hand lightly next as if apologizing for his date. When we reach the sidewalk, Rose flings her arms around Lucian, laughing hysterically.

“I freaking loved that. You. Are. The. Bomb! I always thought just calling someone an asshole was insult enough. But that whole civilized cut-down was epic.” Lucian gives her an innocent look as if he has no idea what she’s talking about, which makes it that much funnier. Rose and Jake seem to be in a hurry to get home, and from the way they are hanging all over each other, I am pretty sure why. Jake, ever the responsible one in their relationship, drank very little so he could drive home afterwards. When I hug Rose goodbye, she whispers against my ear, “Honey, I’m sorry about today. I’ll totally kick your mom’s ass; you just say the word, and it’s on.”

I try to keep it light, not wanting to think about what happened in the courtroom earlier. “Mom? You must have me mistaken for someone who actually has one of those.” Rose bumps my shoulder with hers, letting me know she understands where I’m coming from. Jake also surprises me with a hug and a look of sympathy. It appears my family shame is well known by my friends, but I don’t mind. Other than Debra, they are the closest I have to family, and today has made that blindingly clear. Suddenly, I have an overwhelming desire to see Debra. I want her to meet Lucian. I asked her earlier in the week not to come to the hearing; I was afraid she would end up attacking my mother and getting locked up in the process. I vow to call her tomorrow and see if she wants to meet for lunch in the next few days.

It’s a nice evening outside and even though he argues at first, Lucian finally agrees to walk back to the apartment instead of having Sam pick us up. “Did you have a good time tonight, baby?”

Cuddling closer to his big frame, I sigh. “Thank you, Luc; I really needed an evening just like this. Well…except for maybe the awkward moment with Cruella.” His hand rubs up and down my back as he laughs softly.

“Sorry about that. I have no idea what Aidan’s doing getting involved with her. There is no way that ends well.”

Since he has admitted to sleeping with Monique, I can’t resist taking a small jab at his statement. “Isn’t that a little pot and kettle, Mr. Quinn?”

“Very funny, Miss Adams. There was never anything between Monique and me other than a quick fuck. That might make me sound like a pig, but it’s true.” I take a moment to let his words sink in. Surprisingly, I’m not as bothered by them as I would have thought. I would rather Lucian have never slept with Monique, but somehow him just having sex is much more preferable than him having a relationship with her.

While he is sharing information, I decide to push for more. “Is Monique the last woman…you know…before me?” Is it my imagination or had his stride faltered just a tad at my question?

“No…I dated someone for a few months after her.” I stiffen, not expecting his answer. Had I thought I was the first person to spend my nights with him? As if interrupting my silence correctly, he continues. “It was nothing serious. I needed a date for different events and Laurie needed…financial assistance.”

“Oh. My. God,” I stammer, as I turn to stare at him. “Why does this sound so familiar?”

Lucian stops abruptly, pulling me from the traffic on the sidewalk. “This probably isn’t the best place to talk about this, but I don’t want you stewing all the way home. Trust me; there are no similarities between you and Laurie. She was a spoiled socialite I met at a party. At the time, I had just made the grave mistake of sleeping with Monique and couldn’t get her to leave me the hell alone. Laurie served that purpose. She had expensive taste that she couldn’t afford on the allowance her father had put her on. I helped her out with that, and she gave me the illusion of a relationship to hold Monique at bay.”