And now this?

  My phone starts buzzing in my purse.

  I slant my gaze down, pick it up, and read the message.

  Tiago: I’ll see you tonight at James’.

  I stare at my phone for a few more moments when another message pops in.

  Tiago: Btw, I’d go with the pink and the blue set. The colors look great against your skin.

  His words make me smile when the saleswoman knocks on the door.

  “May I come in?”

  “Yes.”

  She strolls in, wearing a smile.

  “Do you like them?” she asks, expertly concealing her surprise when she notices that I haven’t touched the sets.

  “Yes. I’ll take the pink and blue one.”

  “Okay.”

  She removes the other two.

  “Actually, I’ll keep the red one too.”

  “Perfect. I’ll take them to the cash register and bring them right back. Here,” she says, handing me a gray and silver paper bag, a string of golden tone embossed letters flashing the name of the store across one side.

  My dresses are wrapped and placed inside, a satin bow closing the top.

  “But I haven’t paid for them,” I say as I notice the receipt sitting on top of my clothing.

  “The gentleman you were with took care of it. He instructed me to put everything else on the same card.”

  “Oh. Thank you.”

  I look down at my phone again.

  Tiago: Is everything okay?

  Another message flashes across the screen.

  Tiago: Eve?

  Me: I’m fine. Thank you so much for the dresses.

  Tiago: I was the one who took you out shopping, remember?

  I slacken against my chair, a soft smile tickling my lips.

  Me: Yes.

  Tiago: What happened, Eve?

  Me: Nothing.

  My phone rings.

  “What is it, baby?”

  It takes me a moment.

  “Eve?”

  “I’m a little scared about tonight.”

  “Why?”

  “I didn’t expect so many people.”

  “Me, neither. But it’s better that way.”

  “Yeah. Probably. I don’t know. Still...”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll be there.”

  “With another woman.”

  “Who’s a decoy. And David will be there too. All over you, I suspect.”

  The shred of humor in his voice doesn’t make me smile.

  We stay quiet for a moment.

  “Listen... This will pass,” he says. “They’ll all leave in a few days. And then, it will be only us. Two people in love in New York.”

  I smile, recognizing his ability to always say the right words and mitigate my angst.

  “I love you, baby,” I say, my voice barely echoing in the room.

  “I love you, too.”

  A moment later, we hang up, and for some reason, I have tears in my eyes.

  13

  EVE

  “Oh, this one looks good.”

  “You like it?” I ask, moving my eyes from the mirror to my phone screen.

  Rain’s eyes go up and down on my cobalt blue satin dress. It’s a strapless, form-fitting little number that has all the sassy details of a fifties vixen hourglass cocktail dress.

  “So, who is this Ashton Blackmore guy?” I ask as Rain’s eyes go to something she holds in her hand.

  “He’s someone Sexton International used to do business with. He’s back in business with them from what I understood. Lex knows more about him. He used to work with him in Europe. Oh, by the way. Lex and Dahlia are in New York, too.”

  I spin around.

  “Why was I under the impression that this was supposed to be a quiet dinner with only a few people?”

  She smiles.

  “It can be a quiet dinner.”

  “How many people have you invited?”

  She seems to be doing a quick calculation.

  “Twelve, I think.”

  I toss her a pointed look.

  She shrugs, smiling.

  “I don’t know. Fifteen, maybe? Why are you so fuzzy about it?”

  “I didn’t think there that many...” I say before I shift my eyes back to the mirror. “Well, I guess it is what it is,” I murmur as I strut and twirl, checking my outfit.

  “You look fantastic. I wish your man were here tonight too.”

  “Yeah... My man,” I say, a bit saddened.

  She picks up on the nuance.

  “Is something wrong with you two?”

  “No. Nothing’s wrong.”

  “Have you talked to him today?”

  “I talk to him every day. Leave me alone,” I say, laughing.

  “You sound like a spoiled brat now,” she throws right back at me. “Did you forget when you were crying on my shoulder because you couldn't find the man you wanted?”

  “Well, yeah... I’m trying to forget, but you keep reminding me,” I say, amused.

  “Seriously, now. Are things good between the two of you?”

  I spin and look at her as I pick my phone from the wall table.

  “Couldn’t be better, but I don’t want to talk about it right now. All I want is to enjoy this evening. I hope the food is ready because I’m hungry.”

  “Of course, it’s ready. You can come any time you want.”

  “It’s too early.”

  “So what?” she says, laughing. “You’re coming to my place, not some fancy restaurant.”

  I raise my hand.

  “Okay. Okay...”

  “I’ll send my driver.”

  She starts to text.

  “No need to. I’ll take a cab.”

  “Nonsense. I texted him already. He’ll be there in a few minutes. Get ready, girlie. I can’t wait to see you.”

  We end the call a moment later.

  I spend a few more minutes contouring my lips with a lip liner, applying red lipstick and mascara before I brush my hair, put on my coat and my gloves, pick up my evening bag, my phone, and my keys and walk out the door.

  Half an hour later, I walk into Sexton’s residence.

  The Penthouse looks magnificent.

  It always has, but even more so now that it’s prepped for the guests. The soft light sets off the white and blue flowers, and the red candles peppered everywhere.

  Rain is busy with her staff, ensuring that things run smoothly.

  Close to seven-thirty, James comes home, and minutes later, the first guests arrive.

  The next hour or so flies by.

  By nine o’clock, we all sit around the table with drinks in front of us. The entrees and main course have already been served, so we all chat and sip our cocktails.

  Everybody’s here, except for Tiago and his fake date.

  Anxiously, I check the time of my phone several times, hoping to receive a message from him too.

  I’m only seconds away from pulling away from the table and calling him when the doors of the private elevator slide open and Tiago and Andrea walk in.

  My breath catches when I lay my eyes on him.

  He looks stunning.

  Sporting a silver-gray wool suit that catches the soft light of the candles, and a silky blue tie that matches the color of my dress, he takes a few steps in, his company following him closely.

  The woman has her hair gathered into a classy chignon and fashions a layered voile dress that stops mid-calf. Discrete jewelry highlights her neck and wrists.

  It pains me to admit, but they look great together and although I know that it’s all staged, a pang of jealousy rams through me.

  He drags his gaze across the room, noticing me in passing. Turned to stone, I sit between Rain and a female guest, barely breathing.

  His eyes don’t stall on me, not even for a moment. Instead, his gaze moves away, registering Ashton Blackmore and David Moore who sit at the other end of the table, next to Lex and Dahlia.

  James rises to his feet, greeting his brother.

  Observing them closely, I notice their facial expression and body language. They appear relaxed as James gives his younger brother a short hug.

  “Look at them,” Rain mutters, fascinated as well.

  Devilishly handsome, both wearing a mesmerizing smile, a mix of cockiness, masculine mystery and sensual promise that makes each of us lust after one of the two brothers.

  As they shake hands and James pats Tiago on his back, it dawns on me that this whole story could turn really ugly if James knew that Tiago lied to him.

  “Aren’t they good looking?” Rain murmurs as we watch them lowering themselves in their seats at the table.

  “Yes, they are,” I say, hiding my expression behind my glass of wine.

  “By the way... David told me that he ran into you at the store. Tiago was there too.”

  She flicks her eyes to me, prompting me to swallow my drink faster than I intended. I choke on the wine and cough a little, drawing a few pairs of eyes to me.

  Tiago doesn’t even glance in my direction.

  I guess, he plays his role well, his ability to disconnect himself from me making me grit my teeth in deep frustration.

  “Are you okay?”

  Rain offers me a napkin while softly patting my back with her hand.

  “What happened?” she asks, smiling.

  “It just went the wrong way,” I excuse myself. “Anyway... Yeah. We all shopped at the same store at the same time. I don’t know why they were there or what they were looking for. All I know is why I was there. I bought this dress and another one, plus a few sets of lingerie.”

  “It’s really pretty,” she says appreciatively. “Well, from what I’ve heard, David and Ashton were shopping for ties. Can you imagine this?” she mutters entertained. “They had some time to kill before they had lunch together. I have no idea what he was doing there,” she says, discreetly motioning to Tiago.

  I swing my eyes to him, as well.

  “Maybe he was shopping for his girlfriend,” I offer.

  “Yeah... Maybe,” she murmurs, not buying it at all. “I thought she was an escort.”

  “They wear dresses too,” I toss at her humorously.

  “Haha. I doubt he’d shop for a woman.”

  “What makes you say that? Men do that sometimes, don’t they?”

  She whips her eyes to me.

  “Yeah, they do. Some men, anyway. I just don’t see him doing it. I’d see him giving her money to shop for herself but not picking up clothes for her in a store.”

  “Who knows...” I murmur.

  “Yeah, you’re right. Okay... I need to check on dessert,” she says as she pushes her chair back. “I’ll be right back,” she throws at me before she walks across the room and heads to the kitchen.

  For a moment, I turn into a silent observer as I move my eyes from one guest to the other and inevitably to the end of the table where James, Tiago, David, Lex, and Ashton sit, dialoguing about some lively topic.

  For as long as I keep my eyes on them, Tiago doesn’t as much as glance at me. I’d lie to say that I’m not brimming with envy that his female companion gets to sit next to him.

  A hand slides onto my shoulder as a man’s voice resonates behind my back. I can’t believe I was so taken with the view I haven’t even noticed that James left his seat and now towers over me, his hand resting on my shoulder.

  He leans toward me.

  “Rain wants you in the kitchen,” he says quietly.

  I swing my eyes to him.

  “She wants your opinion on something.”

  Smiling, I rise.

  “Okay,” I say, smoothly moving away from him.

  For a brief moment, I notice Tiago’s eyes moving between James and me.

  Grinning secretly, I make a beeline for the kitchen.

  14

  EVE

  “Apple Tart Tatin, Mille-Feuille, or Chocolate Cake with glittering gold.”

  My mouth waters.

  “All of the above?”

  “Start with one.”

  “I’ll have a slice of cake. May I eat in the kitchen?”

  “That’s why I wanted you here. I want to eat mine too.”

  She makes a small gesture that set two staff members in motion–– the man and the woman roll the dessert carts to the dinner table while Rain and I stay in the kitchen and start tasting the sweets.

  She goes for a slice of apple tart and a few sugar-coated madeleines while I opt for a small eclair and a slice of chocolate cake.

  My taste buds buzz with unimaginable pleasure.

  “Oh, my... This is scrumptious.”

  “It’s good, isn’t it?”

  “Mmm.”

  I can’t help but moan a little.

  “How’s your baby bump?” I ask, gesturing with my dessert spoon while slanting my eyes down to her midriff.

  She looks down as well, smiling, her mouth full.

  “It’s growing,” she says, proud of her body shape.

  Her eyes sparkle, the glow beaming on her face is hard to miss.

  “What does James say?”

  “He’s over the moon.”

  “You look good. The pregnancy really agrees with you,” I mutter before I finish my slice of cake.

  She grins playfully.

  “It’s going to come to you too. Soon,” she adds, laughing.

  I breathe out a chuckle.

  “Not so soon. I don’t think so. Plus...” I say, suddenly losing my good disposition. “I’m in a different place right now, on shaky ground with my work and love life. Everything feels weird. So, no. I’m so far from that moment.”

  “You shouldn’t delay it much longer. You know what they say. The longer you wait, the harder it is.”

  “Yes.”

  I smile.

  “Words of wisdom,” she murmurs teasingly.

  “I’m not going to argue with you, but I still need a man to father a child.”

  “You have one.”

  “You know what I mean.”

  She looks down for a moment, gesturing faintly.

  “Yes, I know. I’m sure the man you’re dating right now is father material.”

  I shake my head, grinning.

  “How do you know?”

  She shrugs.

  “Honestly, I don’t, but I’m optimistic.”

  We lock eyes for a moment.

  “Optimistic...” she repeats. “The way you used to be, remember?”

  The corners of my lips lift with a small smile.

  “Mmm-hmm. Yeah, I remember. But that was before I faced reality.”

  Her hand comes to my shoulder.

  “Look at it this way... You’ve accumulated a lot of experience all these years.”

  I snort a chuckle.

  “Yeah, sure... That’s what I always tell myself when I think about how screwed things were,” I comment sarcastically.

  “Speaking of which. You should tell James tonight that you’re coming back.”

  “No way. I don’t want to bring that up at the dinner table.”

  “You can talk to him in private.”

  She waits for my response. I muse over her words for a moment.

  “I might. I’ll see... Anyway, we should probably get back,” I say as a mellow song drifts through the air.

  “People start to dance,” I mutter.

  “They should,” she says, heading to the door. “Wait...”

  She flicks her hand up as I start to follow her.

  “I need to change my clothes.”

  She turns left instead of right, and I walk behind her down the corridor, several doors lining the wall on one side.

  The third door on the right is her walk-in closet.

  From a small bowl sitting on a wall table next to a vase with lilies, she collects a key.

  Smoothly, she unlocks the door and invites me in. I step behind her as she turns on the lights.

  A glow cascades into the mirrors propped against the walls. About the size of my bedroom, the space features shelves, racks, mirrors, drawers, and a couple of plush chairs.

  A rug sprawls on the hardwood floor.

  I look around. An eclectic mix of chiffon dresses, suits and coats dress the hangers.

  “What’s wrong with your dress?” I ask, pointing to her outfit.

  “It’s too tight on me,” she says as she scoops up a pair of flare pants and a flowing top from a couple of hangers.

  “You’re getting there,” I mutter, watching her shed her form-fitting dress that craftily hid her bump and pulling on the set of chiffon, wild, vivid colors mixed in an unforgettable print.

  “Shifting to loose-fitting clothes. This is sexy...” I say, gawking at her set.

  Bell sleeves grace her arms, the blouse flowing over her chest, brushing her hips that are slightly more curvaceous now than they used to be but still tight.

  The plunging neckline reveals her ample bosom.

  “Please don’t mention sexy...” she says jokingly, her face turning crimson.

  I look at her.

  “No way... It’s that easy?” I ask incredulously as I notice her blush.

  She nods.

  “Yup.”

  And then she laughs before she continues.

  “Between the hormones flowing through my system, the teasing touch of the silky fabric against my body and the man waiting for me outside–– you’ve seen him, I’m losing my mind.”

  “Don’t feel bad. I’m not pregnant, and yet, I’m right there with you. Horny like hell.”

  We laugh for a few good minutes, our giggling bouncing around the walls and mirrors, and the hangers showcasing designer clothes.

  We stop a moment later to wipe trickling tears away from our cheeks.

  “I can’t believe that we are still doing this,” I say, making sure that I’m not smudging my mascara.

  She checks her makeup in the mirror too.

  “Life is so strange sometimes,” I mutter, no longer smiling, a different thought crossing my mind.

  We lock eyes in the mirror, and for a moment, I read questions in her eyes.

  “What makes you say that?”

  I spin around while she gives me a side glance.

  Softly smiling, I lean against the back of the chair.

  “Do you know how many times I wondered what would’ve happened to us, had we not broken into the Dark House that summer night?”