It Had to Be You by Mary Higgins Clark

Author:Mary Higgins Clark [Clark, Mary Higgins & Burke, Alafair]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-04-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

Any regrets Laurie had about leaving the office for an impromptu lunch date with Charlotte were immediately squelched when she stepped inside Oceana. Graceful and elegant, the white-and-blue dining room was designed to resemble a luxury ocean liner, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, custom brass chandeliers, and gleaming walnut accents. She had tried to tell her friend that she had far too much work to meet her for lunch, but then Charlotte countered with the offer of one of Laurie’s favorite midtown restaurants and the promise that she had good news to share.

The hostess escorted her to a banquette in the back corner, where she found Charlotte waiting, a martini in hand and a raw bar tower centered on the table. “I took the liberty of getting us something to start with since I know you’re on the clock,” Charlotte said, standing to give Laurie a hug.

“Didn’t I tell you? My doctor says I have a major seafood allergy.”

Charlotte’s face fell as she pondered the generous display of oysters, clams, shrimp, and lobster.

“Oh no,” Laurie said, giving her friend a nudge. “I’m just kidding, Charlotte!”

Charlotte lifted an oyster with two fingers and handed it to Laurie. “That was mean, Moran.”

Laurie took a sip of the iced tea that had already been waiting for her. “I’d rather have one of those,” she said, eyeing Charlotte’s martini.

“You’re the one with the busy day at work. I should be running on fumes after that trip, but I’m completely amped.”

“You said you had good news.” Laurie asked if that meant that Charlotte’s meeting with the big pop star had gone well, whispering the celebrity’s name in case other diners could overhear.

“The meeting turned into two full days at her house in South Beach. She sleeps until two in the afternoon and stays up until four in the morning, which means I slept on the plane ride home. But I left with a signed licensing agreement contingent on design approval. Her line should be out in time for this year’s Black Friday. It’s going to be huge.”

Laurie held up her glass for a quick toast. “My best friend the mogul. You’re not going to replace me with A-list celebrities, are you?”

“Nobody replaces Laurie Moran.”

“Not yet. Ryan might be trying, though.” She gave Charlotte the latest news about Ryan’s moves at work and the previous day’s confession that he felt stalled at Fisher Blake.

Charlotte’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. “I’d be careful with that one,” she said. “He’s pulled this stunt with you before. Wasn’t he suddenly playing nice in the sandbox with you last year after an ex-girlfriend dressed him down? She said he was born on third base and went through life believing he’d hit a triple.”

“I almost forgot about that.” Charlotte’s memory for detail was always impressive.

“And he’s back to his old ways already. You called him out on it, so he backed off for half a minute. It won’t last.”

Laurie made a mental note of her friend’s advice but then decided to pick Charlotte’s brain about something else instead.

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