Suzy nodded, “Yeah, he said something like, “she’s just a pistol. Whip-smart.”

Veronica continued, “After I heard that, and told my lawyer about the gist of it, my lawyer basically agreed with Matt. He said, “that explains why they’ve taken such an unusual angle into this case. Really creative strategy. Very hard to predict.”

Now I was uncomfortable. I looked at one and then the other. Suzy gave me an understanding smile, and then she said, “Well, that just means we can’t talk about whatever’s going on with Matt, right? And that’s not why we’re here anyway.”

I noticed that I hadn’t invited them to sit at the table, and remembered my manners.

“Ummm … why don’t you both sit? Can I get us something to drink?”

Veronica sat on my left and Suzy on my right.

Veronica smiled, and shook her head, “You’re sweet to ask Aerin, but please don’t bother. It’s clear we won’t stay long, anyway, so …”

Suzy jumped in, “I’ll just say it quickly, Aerin. Veronica here is one of the main organizers of this seasons’s “plinc” party. And I thought of inviting you … but…” her voice trailed out.

My eyes bugged out. “They have those here, too?”

Veronica nodded, and smiled, “Sometimes twice a year. This party’s theme is black.”

Suzy gave me an appraising look, and said slowly, “So you’ve been to one of these…”

I nodded my head. “In New York, over a year ago.”

I blew a breath out, “Never been to another since.”

Veronica smiled, “Well, I would have worked harder to get you to come to this one, but something tells me that that wouldn’t work.  Even if your date hadn’t been who she is. My soon-to-be–ex’s lawyer, that is.”

I looked at Veronica with a raised eyebrow.

“You like her,” Suzy said with a smile. “A lot.”

“So there is no way you would show up in a party like this.”

“I’m happy for you, dear,” Veronica said. “And for her, too. She doesn’t know it, yet, but she likes you a whole lot, too.”

“But here’s the invite anyway.” She pulled a black squarish envelope from her purse and left it next to my hand.

They both stood, and then Suzy bent to give me a quick kiss on the cheek. Before she turned to leave she exclaimed, “Oh, and please tell your friend Alice that we’re coming to see her play tomorrow, ok? I told some contacts about her, as you asked, and they asked me to give them an unvarnished report first. So I hope they rock out!”