Facade

over the toilet had said he could order whatever he wanted from the concierge downstairs, so he had some toast and jam, a few cups of coffee, and some bacon and eggs. Three newspapers and a shower later, he was on his way to Nicky’s show in the suit Nicky had designed for him.
    This was the first time he’d had the occasion to wear it, and he had to admit he could tell it was made to fit him perfectly.
    The Natural History Museum was every bit as busy as it had been last time, but even so he spotted the tall and divinely elegant Miss Taylor almost immediately. She kissed him on the cheek.
    “Well hello, stud,” she whispered teasingly, winking at him.
    “Hello, Tanna,” Jonas answered reservedly.
    “Did you sleep well?”
    Jonas could tell she was fishing. “I’ve slept better,” he answered, not wanting to show his entire hand right away. Though curious where Tanna might take the conversation, he knew she had work to do backstage. “If you know what Nicky wants me to do, then show me the way so you can go ‘put out some fires’.” She laughed. “Nicky’s walking on clouds today, but he’s got everything under control. The men’s show is always more relaxed backstage. Less hair and make-up, a lot less drama. They don’t 68
    Zahra
    Owens
    really need me today. Instead, you and I get to be in the audience this afternoon. How about that? Care to join me to watch some delicious bodies in some fabulous clothes?” Jonas smiled. “Works for me.” He held out his arm to Tanna and led her into the crowd. He saw her wave at an acquaintance or possibly a good client and nod to another.
    “You know, you’ve really made a big change in Nicky’s life,” she told Jonas without changing her facial expression. “He’s a lot less highly strung and so much nicer to be around.”
    “Well, he’s enjoying the sex,” Jonas offered. “I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but from what I gathered, he hasn’t had many satisfying bed partners before.”
    She looked at him with those large blue eyes of hers. “Most men don’t tolerate my presence around him all the time. You, on the other hand, don’t even blink when I show up in your bedroom in the morning.”
    “You showed up in my bedroom in the morning?” Jonas asked, trying to sound innocent.
    “Oh come on, you may fool him, but there’s no way we didn’t wake you up this morning,” Tanna said with a teasing smile. “Come on, you can tell me. Nicky and I keep no secrets from each other.”
    “So I gathered,” Jonas answered evasively. He wasn’t sure what Tanna was trying to accomplish here, but he almost felt as if he was being violated, figuratively speaking. He liked Tanna but still wasn’t entirely sure what her position in Nicky’s life was. Was she simply his right hand woman? His confidante? Were they like sister and brother or more like husband and wife? Without the jealousy of course, because that was one thing he’d never seen between them.
    Tanna had always been nothing but encouraging toward their
    “relationship,” so maybe she felt more sisterly toward Nicky. She’d said earlier that Nicky needed taking care of, so maybe that’s what she did.
    “Miss Taylor! How nice to see you!” A well-preserved lady in her fifties walked over to them and held out her arms toward Tanna.

    Façade
    69
    Tanna bent forward and air-kissed her. “Mrs. Swanson, we missed you at the women’s haute couture.” She was one of those old money New York socialites with a nice figure and just the right amount of plastic surgery. “Well, I’ll just have to come to the atelier in Paris then, so your better half can fit me with a gown of my own. I’m sure he’ll work his magic.” Better half? So it was true that to the outside world Tanna was considered to be his wife?
    “Call me whenever you’re ready,” Tanna answered, “and we’ll make you an appointment. Oh, and may I introduce you to Mr. Jonas Hunter?”
    Dragged from his disjointed thoughts at the mention of his name, Jonas extended his hand with innate civility.
    “Mrs. Gilda Swanson, from the Connecticut Swansons,” Tanna continued the introductions. “She is one of Nicky’s most loyal clients,” Tanna explained. For a moment Jonas wondered how Tanna was going to explain what he was doing here, whether she was going to make up some imaginary occupation, but once the woman knew his name, she clearly wasn’t interested any more.
    “Well, I must move on, dear. Expect me to ring