Chapter 11
CHAPTER 11
EVE
I stirred my tea, staring into the depths as if they might reveal some hidden truth. The date with Spencer had been unexpectedly pleasant, which only added layers to my confusion.
I was drawn into a situation so bizarre it could only have sprung from a romance novel.
A married man, his nearly ex-wife, and a plan concocted out of friendship–or maybe something deeper. The more I thought about it, the more my heart ached–a mixture of pity for their lost love and a selfish pang of longing for something equally profound.
I shifted in my desk chair, my mind spinning. Spencer had been friendly and easy to get along with, though nervous. The reason for that had become obvious when he explained that he needed to date to ensure Louise would accept his suggestions for romantic interests.
My lower lip ached from all the gnawing I’d done as I tried to figure out the bizarre situation. They’d married for Louise’s inheritance, were now divorcing and were insistent on finding the other one a new spouse.
I supposed it was a lovely gesture, but it just seemed odd. If they cared that much about each other…maybe they were in love.
For some reason, that made my heart ache. I couldn’t say why, maybe it was just because my bad luck with dating continued. Actually, it had gotten worse, I thought, setting my mug down on the desk and pulling up my working document.
I wrinkled my nose as I stared at the manuscript I’d been working on for the past few days. Plowing through the dialog from Mystic Realms wasn’t helping.
It constantly reminded me of the strange situation with Spencer and Louise. I typed a few French words before I rested my chin in my palm.
My spa day with Louise had unfolded in layers of surprise, each one peeling back more of my reservations. As we lay side by side, wrapped in the comforting warmth of mud wraps, Louise shared stories of her childhood escapades in Savannah. Each tale was infused with a wild sense of freedom I’d never known.
Her laughter filled the room, inviting me to share some of my own more subdued memories. During those moments of exchanging vulnerabilities, I’d begun to understand the depth of our burgeoning friendship.
Louise had a talent for coaxing me out of my shell, gently nudging me into experiences that made me uncomfortable but exhilarating, like massages or dates.
My eyebrows pinched together. What had she said about Spencer? Her words echoed in my mind.
“He’s cute, right?”
The way she said it, the sparkle in her eyes…did Louise think he was cute?
And she’s been interested in knowing everything about how far things went. Was she pumping me for information to monitor whether or not we were hitting it off?
“Of course, she is,” I murmured, “she insisted we date.”
I sighed. “But why?”
Had she thought we wouldn’t hit it off and Spencer would return to her?
“He’s so sweet and thoughtful,” she’d said.
It certainly sounded like she was interested. And Spencer wasn’t interested in a real relationship.
I leaned back, rocking my chair with a squeak. “Eve, you are an idiot.”
On top of agreeing to date someone’s husband, I’d also agreed to go to Savannah with them. I slapped a palm against my forehead before I collected my cup to refresh it. “Why do you do these things to yourself?”
I’d agreed to go with Louise after her mother had called. She told me the sad story of hating to return home, especially alone, and I’d stupidly said I’d go.
I rolled my eyes at myself as I filled the tea kettle with water and set it on the stove. With my fingers drumming on my forearm, I tried to come up with an excuse to get out of this trip to Savannah.
Before the kettle could scream at me, a knock interrupted my thoughts. I shuffled toward the door, not ready to talk to Louise who I was certain was on the other side, ready to drag me out for a day of shopping.
She’d already told me her mother was a snob, and we’d have to update my wardrobe before we went to Savannah next weekend. The conversation flitted through my mind as I crossed my apartment.
“Now, darlin’, don’t start packing yet because we’re going to need to buy you some clothes for this trip.”
“Lou, you can’t keep buying me things. The clothes I have are fine.”
She arched an eyebrow at me. “My mama is the biggest snob in the world. And, darlin’, your clothes are just as plain as unsweetened tea at a Sunday picnic.” She pressed a hand to her heart. “And I say that with only love in my heart. But my mama is going to just use that to make you uncomfortable. Now trust me on this.”
I clicked my tongue at her. “I don’t mind if your mother thinks I’m…poor.”
“It’s not that. She won’t just think you’re poor…she’ll use it to belittle you, to make you feel substandard and to discount any opinions you have. Now, I’m just not willing to put you through that.”
I pressed my lips together as I realized why I’d agreed to go with Louise. Her mother sounded like a real piece of work.
I pulled the door open, opening my mouth to greet my friend when I clamped my jaw shut.
“Not who you expected?” Audrey asked, pushing past me as my kettle started to whistle.
“Uh, no,” I answered with a chuckle as I swung the door shut and skirted around her. “Do you want some tea?”
“I guess,” she said with a sigh as she slogged into the kitchen behind me.
I grabbed another mug from the cupboard and dumped a teabag in it before I poured the steaming water into it and refreshed the water in my own cup.
With them both delivered to my little table, I slid into the seat across from Audrey. “What’s up? You seem…sad.”
“I’m not sad, I’m annoyed,” Audrey said, bobbing the teabag in the water.
“What happened?” I asked.
“Nothing,” she answered. “That’s the problem.”
I creased my forehead, trying to follow the cryptic conversation. “Okay.”
Audrey snapped her fingers in my face, sending my muscles stiffening as I leaned away from her. “Keep up, Eve. I broke up with Steve, remember?”
“I do remember,” I said, annoyance creeping into my voice. “I just…didn’t know that’s what we were talking about. You have to preface your vague remarks.”
Audrey rolled her eyes at me as she sipped her tea. “Sorry, I forgot that your life is so exciting you can’t remember what’s happening in mine.”
I held back heaving a sigh as I forced myself to ask, “So, nothing is happening with Steve? Isn’t that…a given since you broke up.”
Audrey slapped a hand on the table. “Think, Eve. Something should be happening. It’s been two days. He should have been crawling back to my door on his hands and knees by now.”
“Oh, right.”
“Sorry, I forgot you don’t even get second dates let alone guys crawling back after you kick them to the curb.”
I lowered my eyes to my teacup, the biting remark cutting a little too close to my heart.
“Oh, stop being so sensitive. You can’t even joke around you.”
I snapped my gaze back up, defending myself. “I’m not being sensitive. I’m just…I was waiting for you to continue the story.”
I was being sensitive, but my sister didn’t have any patience for my sensitivity. I still recalled when we were kids, I’d found a dead bird in our yard, crying over the poor thing.
My sister had kicked its body under a pine tree. “It’s just a stupid bird, Eve.”
“Don’t kick it!” I cried.
“Get over it, Eve. There’s a lot worse that’s going to happen to you in life.”
She’d then shoved me to the ground and got in trouble. My parents had told her I was sensitive, but she’d shot back that I was stupid and should grow up.
“Well, there is no story.”
“Maybe you should call him,” I suggested with a shrug.
She shook her head at me. “I don’t know why I come here. You have useless advice. It would help if you ever had even one successful relationship.”
“I’m sorry my dating experiences aren’t up to snuff to help you with Steve.” I shifted in my seat, wishing my sister would go away and leave me to my own problems. I certainly had enough of them ever since I’d been plunged into the wild world of Louise Montgomery-Whitaker.
My sister sipped her tea again before her features pinched. “Oh, wait…you had a date. That crazy redhead said you were dating someone. Judging by the way you’re acting, I’d say it’s already a bust, huh?”
My jaw clenched as I stared into my tea. “It wasn’t a bust. We’re seeing each other again today.”
The shock on my sister’s features was obvious, making me annoyed. “You have a second date with this guy? What’s his name again?”
“Nothing, his name is nothing.” I didn’t want her to know who I was dating. The last time I’d shared that information, she’d stolen away the man I’d been interested in.
“Seriously? You’re going to tell your big sister who you’re dating? What if this guy is a murderer, and I need to tell the police who may have killed you?”
“He’s not going to kill me. He’s just–”
Another knock sounded at the door, interrupting my statement. “Sorry,” I said as I rose and left the kitchen behind, taking the opportunity to suck in a steadying breath as I crossed to the door.
Pulling it open, I found Louise on the other side with a grin. Given my sister’s presence, I was glad to see her.
“Hi, sugar, hope you don’t mind my stopping by, but I wanted to make sure you’re set for your date today.”
“Now’s not a great–”
“You again,” my sister said, leaning against the doorjamb leading to the kitchen.
Louise’s smile slid off her face as she peered over my shoulder, her eyes narrowing at my sister. “Oh, I wasn’t aware she was here.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Audrey asked.
“Nothing,” I ventured as Louise pushed her way into my apartment, placing herself between me and my sister.
“Oh, I think you know what it means,” Louise answered.
“It sounds like you mean I have no right to be here.”
Louise crossed her arms. “If the cheap shoes fit.”
I winced as the barb flew at my sister.
“Oh, I suppose you’re one of those rich folks who thinks they’re better than us…poor people. I guess you befriended my sister as a charity case.”
“Eve isn’t a charity case—she’s my friend. She’s a sweet, loyal, loving friend who deserves a much better sister than you.”
My sister wrinkled her nose first at me, then Louise. “Did she cry on your shoulder about how terrible I am?”
“She didn’t have to. I know your type. I can smell a viper from a mile away.”
My sister scoffed at her words. “Wow. You’re a real piece of work. You think you can just walk in here and come between me and my sister? Who do you think you are?”
“I’m Louise Montgomery-Whitaker. And I’m Eve’s best friend.” She wrapped an arm around me, pulling me close to her. “And she’s dating my husband. And she’s going to marry him. And then you’ll see.”
My heart sank as Louise spilled the beans about who I was dating. It would be another source of mean-spirited teasing from my sister, and if she ever found out how much money Spencer had, she’d pursue him relentlessly.
I slid my eyes closed, the horrible vision of Audrey lounging by the oceanfront pool and inviting me over to lord it over me floated in my mind.
“What?” Audrey’s voice pulled me back to reality. “What the heck kind of sick stuff are you rich people into?”
“I don’t know what you’re saying,” Louise shot back.
I rubbed my temples.
“She’s dating your husband? Last time I checked, Eve wasn’t into married men.”
Louise rolled her eyes. “You’re a special kind of stupid. We’re getting a divorce.”
Audrey’s features turned incredulous. “My sister stole your husband?”
“No, I gave him to her.” Louise threw a hand in the air. “Never mind, it’s not your business. Just know your sister happens to be dating one of Newport’s most eligible bachelors. So, you just put that in your little pipe and smoke it.”
My sister snatched the purse she’d tossed onto my table when she’d come in with a shake of her head. “Whatever. I’m out of here. Eve, wise up. This is a new low for you. Are you really that desperate?”
I pressed my lips together, guilt raging inside of me over the situation. The door slammed hard, and I flinched. Before I could collect my thoughts, though, Louise plowed into a tirade.
“Ohh, that really grinds my gears.”
“Lou, I…thank you for defending me, but–”
“Of course, sugar. And I’m sorry but…I just get all riled up when someone mistreats one of my friends. It just sets me off. You know, she shouldn’t be your sister. I should be your sister.”
I offered her a weak smile.
The anger floating her eyes dissolved into fear. She stared at me, wide-eyed, her lower lip quivering as tears formed in her eyes. “You’re mad at me, aren’t you?”
“No,” I said with a shake of my head.
“You are.” A tear spilled onto her cheek. “Oh, no. I’ve done it again. I always do this. I get a friend, and I just smother them. I just go too far, and I push them away.”
She sank onto my couch, her features twisted with upset.
“Oh, no, Lou.” I eased onto the couch next to her and wrapped an arm around her. “No, I’m not mad. I just…my sister…I really appreciate you standing up for me.”
Her features melted as she took my hand. “Honest?”
“Yes. Audrey was being particularly difficult today. It’s just…by telling her who I’m dating, she…she’ll go after Spencer.”
“You mean…” Louise leaned closer, her voice lower to a whisper. “She’ll try to steal him?”
I bobbed my head. “She’s done it before.”
“That tramp!” Louise shouted. “Well, she is not going to steal Spencer. Don’t worry about that. You two are perfect for each other. He knows that. We all know that. Audrey is not going to win this time, darlin’.”
I chewed my lower lip, not entirely certain I was going to win either.