Page 76 of Whiskey Kisses

Alex takes the next side street and circles back, heading toward the Starland District as I text our guy to let him know we’re coming.

Ten minutes later, we’re waiting in the Suburban while Finn runs inside. Alex is messing with the playlist and I’m texting lewd shit to Evie because I get horny when I’m high.

“Wait,” murmurs Alex, and I glance up. “Isn’t that ...”

A couple is coming down the steps of another rowhouse a few doors down. It’s Cole Deschamps, and he’s got a possessive arm slung over Maribelle Doyle-Spencer, who’s wearing a jacket over the same outfit she had on earlier. They walk down to the curb, where he leans her against her Mercedes and kisses her.

“What the fuck?” It’s sketchy enough that Evie’spregnantsister is stepping out on her husband, but with Cole of all people? After all thebullshit he’s put Evie through? Either Maribelle doesn’t know, or she’s more diabolical than I thought.

“Yoooo,” Alex whispers, smacking my arm. “You think that’s his baby?”

“I wouldn’t be surprised,” I say. The longer I watch them make out, the more possible that seems. “Hold up, let me tell Finn to wait inside.”

But they’re already moving on, Cole palming Maribelle’s ass as she walks around to the driver’s side. They talk through the window for a second, and then she pulls away while he jogs back inside.

I now know where Cole lives, or at least where he hangs out. I also know who Maribelle’s been cheating with. But this means Cole might have more info on Evie, and access to her, than we realized. Maribelle was just at the house today—who’s to say she wouldn’t tell Cole?

It’s pitch black by the time we get back to the house, and I’m starving as usual, my hunger made worse by the munchies. Evie’s on the phone in the kitchen when I walk in. She takes one look at me and rolls her eyes in amusement, scooting away from my grabby hands as she tells whoever she’s talking to she has to go.

“You smell like weed,” she says, sniffing me as we hug.

Alex comes in with our Thai takeout as I hand Evie the bottle of wine. “There may have been some post-meeting celebrating on the ride back.”

“Scandalous.” She holds the bottle up, grinning when she sees the label. “I love this one!”

“I know.” I wink at her, hanging my suit jacket on a chair.

After dinner, Evie and I slip out to the front porch to smoke a bowl. We talk quietly about our day, pushing the swing slowly back and forth with our feet.

“I saw something kinda crazy tonight,” I say after a comfortable silence.

Evie wraps her blanket a little tighter around her shoulders, switching her attention from the stars to me. “What?”

“Did you know Maribelle was having an affair?”

“No.” She pauses. “But that doesn’t come as a shock. I never see her with Dylan. He’s always working and traveling, and she’s always flitting around town like socializing is her job. Which, I guess, it is if you’re a society wife.”

“Huh.” I rub the stubble on my chin, considering. “You think they have an open relationship?”

“No way! He’d be livid if he knew.” She laughs quietly. “It’s funny. She was trying to make me feel shitty this morning about our relationship whenhermarriage is all about status. She married him because he’s rich and successful, and he married her because she’s rich and pretty. They both come from old money and important families—it was totally strategic.”

“I think we both know Maribelle’s full of shit,” I say. “But listen, I saw her tonight. With Cole.”

Evie whips around, staring at me. Now she is shocked. “Are you serious?”

I nod. “They were all over each other outside this house in the Starland District.”

“I think DJ lives out that way,” she says. “You’re sure it was Maribelle?”

“Evie, come on.”

“You know, they fooled around when I was seeing him in high school,” she says. “That’s what finally made me dump him.”

“What assholes,” I gripe.

“I can’t believe they’re still at it, all these years later.”

“Ican’t believe he still tries to mess with you while he’s messing with her,” I say. “What’s his angle?”

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