“Don’t start,” I warn, slapping Kylie’s arm.

“What?” she protests, pretending innocence. “I’m just saying that Paris slash this party could be a great place for you to find a man to pop your cherry.”

“I’m not here to find a man to … to … pop my cherry, as you so elegantly put it. I’m here to attend Charlotte’s wedding tomorrow,” I splutter with embarrassment. I can’t believe this topic has come up again.

“Far be it for me to agree with Kylie,” Lina pipes up, “but she does have a point. We are in the city of love. I mean, look around you. What better place to find a lover than here? I’ve seen at least three guys that I’d personally love to climb up. Plus, we’re in a foreign country. Other than us no one else need ever know. You could let your hair down, be completely slutty, do whatever you want, as long as it’s legal, of course, and be back at work on Monday with no one the wiser.”

I sigh heavily. How I wish I had never told Charlotte I was still a virgin. She told Lina, Lina told Catherine, Catherine told Kylie, and now every damn person in our circle knows. If I didn’t believe in my own convictions so strongly I would be almost tempted to lose my virginity just to stop them gossiping and speculating endlessly about my sex life.

“What are you waiting for, anyway?” Kylie joins in gleefully. “You’re already twenty-two. Your poor pussy is going to shrivel up and die if you carry on depriving her of her protein shake. Sex is a healthy thing. Think of it as a sport.”

Both Lina and Catherine laugh at the joke. I lean forward and speak earnestly, willing them to understand, even though I know there is not a hope in hell that I will convince them. “For me sex is not a bit of sport. I want my first time to be with the guy of my dreams. I want it to mean something special. I want it to be,” I pause, “everything.”

“Oh, Izzy, Lina says with a sigh. “You are going to be very disappointed if that is what you imagine losing your virginity is all about. The first time is only great in romance novels. Unless you find a man with a magic penis it’s going to be painful, awkward, and messy. There might even be blood.”

I frown. I don’t want to hear their well-meaning advice. I know it’s going to be painful. I know there might be blood. But they are still talking about it from a physical perspective. They don’t understand. I’m talking about the deep emotional connection between a man and a woman. Maybe I’m a fool, maybe they are right, such a thing doesn’t exist. But I’m not giving up on my dream.

“Once I wanted everything too,” Kylie says, flicking her flame colored hair forward. “Now, I’d settle for a man who can give me one night of great mindless sex. Like that horse trainer guy that this party is in honor of, Tyson Eden. Oh my God! He’s so delectable I want to throw my panties at him. His reputation is love ‘em and leave ‘em, but by God, I would let him fuck me until I couldn’t walk straight.”

Lina laughs loudly. “I think I just want a man who will take good care of me financially. Some of these men are so wealthy they could set you up for life. Someone like Brad Sommers. He gave his last girl an apartment in Knightsbridge and a sports Mercedes. Even after he broke up with her he still paid for all her credit card bills. He only stopped when she hooked up with that Polo player.”

I crinkle my nose. “I’d rather be a spinster for the rest of my life than end up with any of the men in here. They’re all way out of my league. Too rich and glamorous for me. I’m not interested in a man who is so wealthy he could have any woman. I mean, why would such a man settle down with one woman? The temptation would be incredible. All I want is an ordinary man that I can have a family with.”

“That’s very sweet, Izzy,” Lina says, “but don’t you think you’re being a bit naïve? Trust me when I say, without money love will fly out of the window so fast it’ll leave you reeling.”

“I think you’re wrong,” I insist stubbornly. “Real love doesn’t need money. I’d prefer to live in a cold, cramped apartment with a man I love than in a palace with one I don’t. I’m looking for my soulmate.”

“Oh, don’t be such a goose. There is no such thing as a soulmate. Show me a relationship that lasts and I’ll show you a woman who is making all kinds of sacrifices and compromises to make it work. You’re crazy if you think you’ll find a man like that. Any man, rich or poor, would cheat given half the chance. If I could have a man like Brad Sommers I’d be set for life. Who cares about hearts and flowers? I’ll settle for throbbing chemistry, diamonds and Guccis.”

I put my cocktail glass down. “Okay, you girls have fun. I have to get back to the hotel. I promised Charlotte that I’d go out early and get replacement ribbons for her.”

“Don’t be such a party pooper.” Kylie groans. “Things have not even begun to warm up yet and you’re already wanting to leave. Do you know how many arms I had to twist to get us on the guest list?”

“Bullshit,” calls Lina. “You flirted with one of the bouncers and he sneaked us in.”

“I don’t see you getting us into any happening parties,” Kylie snaps back.

“Look, I’m really sorry. I don’t want to ruin the night for anybody,” I apologize to everyone at the table. “You guys know this is not my kind of scene. I’m a simple person. I like babies and dogs and I’m happiest when I’m at home in my PJs with a good book and a box of chocolates.”

Catherine shakes her head despairingly. “You’re going to waste your life away, babe. One day you’ll look in the mirror and think where the fuck did my youth go, but it will be too late then.”

“Oh my God, yes! Tall, dark and hunky alert at four o’clock,” Lina mouths, her eyes enormous. “Look, but not all at once, please. Since you’re the virgin you may look first, Izzy.”

“For God’s sake it’s not a disease, you know,” I mutter, trying not to grit my teeth with irritation.

“I’ll look,” Lina offers brightly. She toys with her earring before turning her head casually. Very calmly she swivels around and looks at me with widened eyes. “Jesus H Christ. There is a hot devil wearing black jeans and … he’s staring right at you, Izzy.”

“Whoa … and he hasn’t even seen your big, heart-shaped butt yet,” Catherine quips.

“Don’t be so silly,” I grumble, feeling myself flush with embarrassment. It’s obvious that if he has both Lina and Catherine open-mouthed with wonder then he is definitely not staring at me when the whole place is crawling with beauties and models.

“See for yourself if you don’t believe me, but take six deep breaths first,” she says.

Something about her widened eyes makes my stomach contract nervously.

“Hang on. Hang on,” Kylie cuts in suddenly. “That guy is mine. That’s Tyson Eden, the horse guy that I was telling you about. I saw him first so you all can just lay off him, okay?”

But nothing can stop my head from turning. From looking at the devil himself.