“In case you don’t remember, she trying to get me into bed, she makes me nervous.”

Ella turned down the volume on the car stereo. “You won’t have to worry about that, she’ll forget all about sex once I start talking money.”

“You don’t know Safada. Why don’t you just call Giselle yourself and propose a meeting?”

“And say what? Your maid told your designer who told me you’re planning to sell your house in Sea Cliff, and by god, I’d like a shot at the listing? Mark, you know it doesn’t work that way, I’m surprised you’d even suggest it. I can’t just call Giselle up like some ambulance chasing lawyer. She’d want to know how I found out, and where would that put you? Perhaps in the position of being indiscreet? Unprofessional maybe? You’re working in her home and spreading inside knowledge? You’re just getting into interior design, moving away from staging…”

“OK, OK,” Mark said.

“You couldn’t have a more prestigious client. Success with Giselle will land you jobs for years to come. You could mess it up if you’re not careful.”

“You don’t seem to mind my indiscretion in telling you.”

“Telling me was not indiscreet, it was smart. We’re going to make this work for both of us. You know you stand to profit as well, if a successful deal comes out of this. I’ll take very good care of you.”

“Sounds agreeable. And I wouldn’t want Safada to take any heat for having told me.”

“Exactly. You say Giselle relies on her for pretty much everything?”

“Oh yeah. They’re alone in that mansion for days on end together. Safada wields powerful influence, there’s no question about it.”

“I think we’ve got something to work with here. So what do you say?”