After about another hour of rump-shaking good times, they clambered into the limo and drove to an upscale sushi restaurant. Mags strolled in, still proudly wearing her penis pin.
Before she sat down, Allie excused herself and went to the restroom. Karen followed. As Allie stood at the sink washing her hands, Karen stepped out of the stall, her eyes meeting Allie’s in the mirror. Karen waved her hand in front of the soap dispenser and took a deep breath.
“Allie, I want you to know, I would never do anything to hurt Brynn. I feel responsible that she took off like that. Your father and I are slowing things down, trying to make sure Brynn’s comfortable.”
Allie could hear Trevor’s voice in her head, telling her to stay out of it. She ran her hands under the dryer. “It’s really none of my business.”
The older woman flung the excess water off her hands. “Of course Brynn is your business. And so is your father. He told me how you took care of your mother and helped him with the girls when she was so sick.”
Uncomfortable discussing this subject with this particular woman, Allie shrugged. “The two of you are adults. If you want to hook up—”
“We’re not hooking up.” Small lines fanned out at the corners of her eyes. “I’m in love with him. And he loves me too.”
How could her dad forget her mom so quickly and fall in love with another woman he barely knew? “Look, Karen, I want my dad to be happy, but like I’ve told him, Brynn needs his attention right now. I’m sorry, but sometimes you need to put your life on hold for the sake of others.” Allie had done it. Now it was her dad’s turn.
Karen nodded, her eyes red with unshed tears. “Yes, you’re right.”
Allie shifted uncomfortably. “Um, I’m going to go back to the horndog sisters. I’ll give you a couple minutes, okay?”
Again, Karen nodded.
Allie felt horrible as she walked out of the ladies room. She should have stayed out of it. She should have kept her mouth closed. Karen seemed like a nice lady. But Brynn was her sister, and Allie wanted to protect her.
She dropped into the chair. “Karen will be back in a second.”
“I’ve ordered sake for us all,” Pix said. She held up a small hand-painted cup.
“So, Pix, where did you meet Paolo?” Allie draped the napkin over her lap and took a sip of warm sake. The strong, clear taste burned a pathway to her stomach. She blinked back a few tears. “Whoa.”
“It’s potent, dearest. I don’t want Simmons to have to carry you home tonight. Trevor would never let me hear the end of it,” Mags said.
Pix ran her scarlet nail around the rim of the cup. “I met Paolo while I was vacationing in Cianciana. I was visiting friends, he was waiting tables in the hotel. Very Shirley Valentine of me I know, but darling, you only live once.”
Karen appeared, pulled out her chair, and murmured an apology. Her face was a little splotchy, like she had been crying. Now Allie felt worse than terrible. She tried to give Karen a reassuring smile, but the older woman refused to meet her eyes.
Allie refocused on Pix. “Who’s Shirley Valentine?”
The sisters’ laughter filled the air.
“Oh my, you’re so young,” Pix said.
Mags sobered. “You’re right though—you do only go around once. I’ve made so many mistakes in my life. Failing Trevor being the biggest, of course. But leaving Nigel was a terrible mistake.”
Pix laid her hand on Mags’s arm. “Don’t you remember the horrible rows? You and Nigel would have killed each other had you stayed together. And Trevor is fine.”
Allie wouldn’t go that far. He definitely carried the scars of his parents’ messed-up marriage—make that marriages.
“No, Trevor’s not fine.” Now Mags began tearing up. “He’s been very unhappy, very angry. I wish I had been a better mother, more nurturing. And Nigel was always the one. I’ve always loved him.”
Karen remained silent and winced when she took a drink. Allie wanted to reach out to her, but what would she say? Yes, forget my fifteen-year-old sister? Go be with my dad, never mind that Brynn is suffering? What an endless night. Allie wanted the comfort of Trevor’s touch and his dry humor and naughty jokes so badly, she almost ached with it.
“So, when is it your turn, Allie dear?”
Allie blinked at Pix. “What?”
“I’ve noticed the way Trevor looks at you, like he’s ready to pounce on you the moment you enter the room.”
Allie’s cheeks infused with heat. “You have it wrong. Trevor and I…we’re just…” She shrugged.
“Don’t put Allie on the spot, Pix. She and Trevor will figure things out in their own time,” Mags said.
“Really though, I thought Trevor would never fall in love. He’s always been so commitment phobic.” She turned to Mags. “Is that the phrase?”
Mags sighed. “Yes, just more evidence that Nigel and I ruined him.”
“He’s not ruined,” Allie said a little too loudly. Feeling embarrassed by her outburst, her gaze flashed around the room, and she lowered her voice. “He’s just…in pain. And I really don’t feel comfortable talking about him like this.” She grabbed the sake and took a long swallow and, thanks to the coughing fit that followed, regretted it.
***
“That chap is becoming tiresome. Doesn’t speak a word of English. Don’t know what Pix sees in him.” Nigel puffed around a fat cigar, a drink in one hand and his eyes roaming over the semiclad ass of the cocktail waitress who walked by.
Trevor raised a brow. “Really?”
“Can you believe your mother and I are getting married again?” Nigel nudged Trevor’s ribs. “She was always the love of my life, you know.”
“Did your four other wives know that?” Trevor let the waitress take his drink and refused a refill. He had to drive home since Simmons was escorting the women tonight.
“I fooled myself into thinking I was content. But it was all an illusion.”
Trevor glanced at the roulette wheel. Paolo lost another bet. He watched as the younger man mopped his brow, then Trevor glanced at his father. “Your cock didn’t seem to notice the difference.”
“My heart did, Trev.” Nigel patted his chest.
“Unless you want Pix and the Italian Stallion to become your physical dependents, I’d stop him from placing another bet if I were you. This asshole is running through Pixie’s money like he inherited it himself.”
Nigel sighed. “Oh, bugger.” He walked to the table and grabbed Paolo by the shoulder.
Trevor rolled his eyes. How much longer until he could go home? He liked his home. It was comfortable there, cozy. And the thought of Allie in bed had him smiling. He loved sleeping with her. With her back to his chest, she’d curl up like a sleepy cat, press that tight ass against his cock. He sighed and looked at his watch.
Paolo and Nigel threaded their way over to him. Nigel tipped his head at the younger man. “Lost a barrelful, this one.”
Paolo plunked down on a stool, propped his elbows on the bar, and buried his head in his hands. Then his head popped up. “Pix, will, how you say, kill my body.” He slid his thumb across his throat.
“We’ve all lost our shirt a time or two, mate. And better she chop off your big head than your little one.” Nigel slapped him on the back.
“I say we call it a night,” Trevor said.
Nigel frowned. “It’s not even midnight, Trev. What’s say we go to see some tatas? Yeah?” Nigel cupped his hands in front of his chest for Paolo. “Tatas. Tits. Breasts.”
Paolo’s face lit up. “Sí, tette.”
“Yeah, see, Trev?” He pointed his cigar at Paolo.
“Take a cab.” He started to walk off, only to have Nigel pull his sleeve. Trevor looked down at his father’s hand and scowled. “Let go of me, old man.”
Nigel clenched his jaw. “I told you not to call me old man.”
“If the two of you tossers want to ogle topless women, fine, but I’m going home.”