Totlandia: Spring Read Online Free PDF Page A

where white swans glided across its tranquil surface.
    Everyone is happy but me, Jade thought wistfully.
    Then it struck her. When it came to Brady, Oliver was still her trump card, Ally or no Ally.
    But if she got kicked out of the club, she’d lose both Brady and her son.
    She couldn’t let that happen.
    Besides, Brady had to invest his money with someone. Why not Art? Maybe the fact that he was a ruthless son-of-a-bitch with no sense of morality was a big plus in the game of high finance.
    In a sugar-sweet voice, she loudly proclaimed, “Bettina! So good to hear from you!…Yes, you caught us just in time. Brady and I were just about to take Oliver on a little stroll before getting ready for the PHM&T luncheon.”
    “So, good ol’ Brady is standing there, eh?” Art drawled from the phone. “Love it! Hey, how ’bout I talk dirty to you? Would that make you all hot and bothered? No? That’s okay. We both know that’s not why I’m calling. I’m just checking in to see if we’re still on for a date.”
    Oh my God, he’s much too loud, Jade thought.
    She cupped the phone closer to her ear. “You’re confirming that date to go out, the four of us? Yes, of course I remember.” Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Brady mimicking a knife going across his throat. All she could do was shrug helplessly. “We discussed tomorrow, Saturday the twelfth, right? Sevenish?”
    Brady groaned loudly. Well, too bad. She waved him away.
    “That’s a good girl.” Art growled in her ear. “I’ll tell my ol’ lady I confirmed our little foursome. Why don’t we say Ozumo on Steuart? I’ll get us their little private room.” He laughed heartily. “Damn, if only it were a private party, just you and me. Would you let me eat sushi off your bodacious bod? Ah well, I guess this is the next best thing. Just make sure Brady brings his checkbook with him. One way or another, he’s picking up the tab, right? You’ve sucked on that tit before, so you know how sweet it is. Time to give the rest of us some time at that trough.”
    He hung up the phone before she could say anything.
    Brady shook his head at her. “Damn, Jade, I thought I told you to get us out of that date. Bettina’s husband made it clear at their New Year’s Eve shindig that he wants me to invest in one of his funds, but no way that’s going to happen. I’m already looking into Matt Connaught’s startup lead, remember?”
    She took Oliver from Brady’s arms. “I still think we should hang out with Bettina and Art. You know, for Oliver’s sake. And besides, you’ve got enough money that throwing a few thou Art’s way shouldn’t be such a big deal.”
    Brady shrugged. “After today, it’ll be official. You and Oliver are in the club, so why should I?”
    “Nothing is written in stone. Bettina and her posse are always looking for infractions. If you want to stay in the club, you can’t even be separated. You know that.” Rocking her son on her hip, she murmured, “Could you imagine what would happen if, say, she found out Ally still sits on the board of the company she started and is faking her marriage to that gay lawyer friend of hers?”
    Brady looked at her suspiciously. “How would Bettina find that out?”
    “Who knows? But hey, those kinds of things have a way of getting out.” Jade smiled innocently. “I’m just pointing out that if we want to stay in the club, we all have to watch our P’s and Q’s.”
    Brady’s frown was accompanied by a shrug. “That means you, too. Seriously, are you going to wear that blouse to the luncheon?”
    Jade raised a brow. “Why? What’s wrong with it?”
    “For one thing, it’s see-through. And for another, you’re not wearing a bra.”
    Her smirk faded. “I thought you liked this blouse.”
    “I do. I just don’t think Bettina will. But I’m guessing Art will. Hey, here’s a thought. Why don’t you save it for our double date? Maybe he’ll be so captivated by your headlights that