Free Payback and a Bottle of Merlot: Like Sisters Series Book One by Bria Marche Page B

Aaron turned back once, stared at Mia for a second, shook his head, and disappeared around the corner. They couldn’t hold their laughter any longer as Mia ran across the street and down the block to meet with them.
    “Oh my God, he had no idea who I was.” She was laughing so hard the black mascara streaked her cheeks.
    “That was hysterical,” Vic said, as she handed Mia a tissue. “Now fix your face before we go inside.”
    They enjoyed lunch together while making plans. Karen asked Vic and Tina if they could spread the word that their salon was going to hold an audition for local models. The winner would be on the magazine’s inaugural cover.
    “We know a ton of people that have salons. There’s a bunch of blogs we salon owners read all the time about new products and the latest styles. We could post something on them too,” Vic said, already excited about it.
    Nobody at Barney’s recognized Mia, and they had a great time making up stories about this famous fashion photographer visiting Tarrytown for the day. All that was left to do now was decide when to put their plan into action.
    “Karen, did you get a chance to go through the box of pictures you have?” Mia asked.
    “I did, but the close up ones showed both of their faces too clearly, and the pictures from a distance made it hard to tell who Jack was. He could have been any business man on the street.”
    “Well, I guess that means I have to get a high power zoom lens and start following them. I have to get the perfect shot of Jack’s face while they’re kissing. I just thought of something else too. I’ll need some business cards with a phony name on it. If Sasha talks to Jack about this photo shoot before we tell her the truth, she certainly can’t mention my name.”
    “That’s true,” Karen said. “I’ll put a few together for you. Is there any name in particular you want to use?”
    “Just use a first name, something flamboyant like Jasmine, or something like that. I wouldn’t want her Googling me. What phone number should we have on the card?”
    “I’ll make up a phone number with a different country code on it. We can act like you came from South America, or something. I’ll have it ready in a few days.”
    “So what’s next?” Tina asked.
    “I need to get good pictures of them together first. We can’t do anything to make either of them suspicious. Once I get some up close and personal pictures of Jack in compromising positions, we can move forward,” Mia said.
    “Okay, ladies, I should head back to Greenwich. It’s almost three o’clock. Today was a blast. Stop by in a few days, Mia, and I’ll give you the cards. All of you are welcome to stop by any time. We should start having lunch dates together,” Karen said. With a wave out the window, she smiled and drove away.
    “Well, that was fun,” Mia said. “I should wash this goop off my face and take off the wig before I go home. Let’s get back to the salon before anyone else asks who I am.”
    ***
    “Hello, beautiful. I can’t get you off my mind. Will you join me for dinner? I know it’s short notice, but I need to see you tonight. I have good news to share with you.”
    “I’d love to, Jack. I just got home from meeting with my agent. They’re going to find someone to update the photos in my portfolio. It’s been three years and I need new pictures circulating. Anyway, yes, let’s have dinner. I’ve been on the go all day and I’m starving.”
    “Great, I’ll be there in twenty minutes. How about Zara’s?”
    “That sounds perfect. I just have to freshen up a bit.”
    Jack made reservations at Zara’s for seven o’clock. He was confident Sasha would join him for dinner before he even called her. He had a quiet table at the far end of the restaurant set aside for them. It would be perfect for tonight. He walked to her apartment, but called ahead for a cab to be in front of the building at six-thirty.
    He rang the bell and waited for her to buzz him