Her Younger Millionaire

“….”

“Now?”

He hung up looking perturbed looking around at his friends.

“That was Tina. She wants to see me,” he said.

“Why?” Aileen asked. She was in favor of females being in Aiden’s life, but only if they weren’t high maintenance. Aiden shrugged.

“She told me to go to her place.”

“Did she sound naked?” Bruce asked and Dylan nudged him so hard he almost fell off the chair.

“Was she alone or did she have friends?” he asked.

“Hey! Sitting right here!” Bruce protested.

“Well yeah, but what I mean is; it’s probably an ambush. Has she expressed interest in you going to her apartment before?”

“Just the opposite,” Aiden replied.

“I’m coming with then,” Dylan said.

There was a chorus of ‘me toos’ around the room. Aiden shrugged.

“Fine. Let’s go.”

*****

Tina opened the door to find six people looking at her instead of the one guy she was expecting. It was disconcerting to say the least.

“Uh…hi,’ she said.

“Hey. I hope you don’t mind. My friends thought they’d tag along,” Aiden said.

Tina’s lips turned down in a shrug, “Why would I mind? Come in.”

She stepped back and allowed the entourage to pass into her apartment smiling wide and fake for them. Hiro and Jennifer were still sitting where she’d left them with John lounging between them. They looked less than surprised to see that Aiden had arrived with an entourage; Aiden looked surprised to see them though.

“Uh…hey,” he said with a small wave. “I’m Aiden O’Brien.”

Hiro nodded. “Hiro Nakashima,” he said impassively.

“Jennifer Wood,” Jennifer chipped in. Aiden turned.

“These are my family and friends,” he said pointing at the five people behind him. “My sister Aileen, my brother Dylan, his boyfriend Bruce and my friend Alistair.”

Hiro nodded casually at them and Jennifer gave a small wave. Tina said nothing.

“And this…is Tina,” Aiden finished indicating her to his friends. Everyone made murmuring sounds of acknowledgment as Tina’s eyes narrowed in suspicion about that pause before her name.

“We have wine,” she said donning her hostess cap. “Anyone interested?”

There was a chorus of ascent and for a while she was preoccupied pouring. Aileen stepped forward to pet John who watched her suspiciously for a while before she reached a fist out for him to sniff. Then he lay back on Jennifer and let her rub his belly.

“He’s so cute,” Aileen said.

Jennifer smiled coldly and said nothing.

“Do I know you from somewhere?” Dylan asked coming to sit on the other side of Hiro who shrugged.

“Do you watch soccer?” he asked.

“On occasion. Why you play?”

“For NYCFC,” Hiro replied.

Dylan raised his eyebrows impressed but refrained from commenting. This Tina had interesting friends.

“Did I see you at the Marc Jacobs pre-fashion week party?” Aileen asked Jennifer.

“Yeah. I was there,” Jennifer said in surprise.

“I thought I recognized you,” Aileen said smugly. “What is it that you do? Actress? Model?”

“Stylist,” Jennifer said, dislike clear in her voice.

“Cool. You taking new clients? I loved that Burberry number you were wearing with the boots.”

“Not at the moment no,” Jennifer said.

“Oh. Pity,” Aileen said. “My mother could have used someone who understood her generation’s tastes. She’ll be in town next week.”

“That’s too bad. I’m sure she’ll find someone willing to put up with her…shortcomings.”

Aileen’s eyes narrowed. “You insulting my mother?” she demanded.

Aiden came to stand between them, “Hey ladies, how you doing? Have some wine.” He said taking glasses from Tina’s tray and handing them around.