Chapter 5

“I think Etienne likes you.” Donal poured himself more tea.

Julio shook his head. “I’m not gettable at the moment, too much to do.”

“He’s a good person. Etienne didn’t stop bribing and lobbying the Russians until they released Alexei. Opportunities to date men like him don’t roll around to people like us every day. I thank the gods every night for Alexei.”

“As well you should thank Him. You fell into a golden pile. You have a harder row to hoe to get to your dream of being a musician than I do to own a salon. You have to get your High School Equivalency, a four-year degree from Juilliard, and special tutors for voice, piano, and guitar. With the help of your husband, both of us are going to succeed. Thanks to him, I have the money I need for two years of training, some business courses, and a stake to start an upscale salon instead of taking a chair in someone else’s beauty parlor.”

“You’ve always been creative, reinventing yourself as you chose.” Donal smiled.