Read Online Lovers & Players by Jackie Collins - Free Book Online Page A

extremely well-thought-out seating arrangements.
    ‘And who make your dress?’ Sofia inquired, her mild tone hiding a sudden flash of annoyance as she realized it obviously wasn’t the House of Courtenelli.
    ‘Uh…Valentino,’ Amy muttered. ‘My mother—’
    ‘No need to explain,’ Sofia said, holding up an authoritative diamond beringed hand. ‘Although–how you say?–press-wise, is bad thing you not ask me .’
    ‘My mother—’ Amy began.
    Sofia cut her off again. ‘ Prego , dear,’ she said dismissively, indicating the door. ‘We speak enough.’
    Amy slunk out. Of course, Sofia Courtenelli was right. She should ’ve invited her to the wedding, and asked her to design the dress, instead of listening to her mother, who’d insisted on Valentino, a close personal friend.
    Too late now.
    Amy hoped this little breach of etiquette hadn’t put her job in jeopardy. Even though she was getting married, she planned on continuing to work. She and Max had not discussed it, but she saw no reason for him to object.
    Later that day she had lunch with Tina, her best friend from college. Tina, a petite brunette, was happily pregnant with the enviable glow that many pregnant women project. Married for two years to Brad, a commodities dealer, Tina was excited about her baby, due in a couple of weeks.
    The two of them went to downtown Cipriani, where Amy told Tina about her uncomfortable meeting with Sofia Courtenelli, before seguing onto the offer she’d received of a bachelorette party from her co-workers, and how she really didn’t want one.
    ‘Yes!’ Tina said, thumping the table with her fist. ‘It’s a fabulous idea. You need to cut loose–you’re way too uptight.’
    ‘Me?’
    ‘Yes, you.’
    Amy wrinkled her nose. ‘ Thanks .’
    ‘Come on , Amy, get real, you’re marrying a man you haven’t even slept with. How weird is that ?’
    ‘Shout a little louder,’ Amy said, glancing around the restaurant. ‘The person at the corner table didn’t hear you.’
    ‘Listen to me,’ Tina said, lowering her voice. ‘What if Max is a dud in bed? You wouldn’t even know .’
    ‘Yes, I would,’ Amy answered stubbornly. ‘I certainly would.’
    ‘How?’ Tina persisted, leaning her elbows on the table and staring at her best friend.
    ‘I might be the last virgin in Manhattan, but I’ve had my experiences.’
    ‘Neckin’ ain’t fuckin’,’ Tina said succinctly, putting on a loud Brooklyn accent.
    ‘You are so crass,’ Amy said, once more darting her eyes around the restaurant to see who’d overheard that little gem.
    ‘You have no idea how crass I can be,’ Tina said, breaking into laughter.
    ‘Oh, yes, I do,’ Amy retorted, nibbling on a breadstick. ‘We were college room-mates, remember?’
    ‘How could I ever forget? That first year you were a total pain.’
    ‘So were you.’
    ‘No, I wasn’t,’ Tina objected, shaking her head. ‘I was merely trying to figure you out. You were so introverted. It wasn’t until you told me about the kidnapping thing—’
    ‘Don’t!’ Amy interrupted. ‘I confided that in strict confidence, and I never want to talk about it again.’
    ‘You should’ve seen a therapist,’ Tina said. ‘I don’t understand your mother…’
    ‘That’s okay’ Amy said dryly. ‘Nobody does, including me.’
    ‘Look, here’s the deal,’ Tina said, tapping her fingers on the table. ‘I adore my husband–Brad’s the best. But I have to tell you, there are times I kind of wish I’d experimented more before getting married. Y’ know, put myself out there and gone wild.’
    ‘Really?’ Amy said, surprised. ‘But you and Brad are such a fantastic couple. You never fight, you’re always in sync, you—’
    ‘Yeah, yeah,’ Tina interrupted, feigning a yawn. ‘We’re perfect, and I would never cheat on Brad. However,’ she added pointedly, ‘ you ’ve still got a window of opportunity, and in view of your sexual history–or non-history–it’s