Page 57 of Count My Lies

I take a step into the living room and see Anne-Marie and her two kids on the porch.

“It’s our neighbors!” I say, leaning back into the kitchen. “Come on, I’ll introduce you.” I motion for Sloane and Harper to follow me.

“Remember,” I say on the way to the door, winking. “You’re me.”

Sloane rolls her eyes good-naturedly. “Right,” she says. “I remember.”

I open the screen door. “Hi! Come in, come in!”

“Is it a good time?” Anne-Marie asks.

“Yes, totally,” I say. “We were hoping you’d stop by. Violet,” I turn to Sloane, “This is Anne-Marie. Anne-Marie, Violet. They’re staying in the house next door.”

“Hi,” Anne-Marie says, extending her hand to Sloane. “So nice to meet you!”

“Do you want to show Rooney and Claire your room?” I ask Harper.

“What about the Popsicles?” Harper says, frowning.

I smile apologetically at Anne-Marie. “We were just about to have Popsicles. There’s enough for everyone if it’s okay with you.”

She waves me off. “Of course. They’d love that, wouldn’t you, guys?”

Both of her kids nod shyly.

I usher everyone into the kitchen and take out the box, doling the Popsicles out one by one. “Go eat them on the back porch,” I say, opening the door. The three kids happily parade outside.

“Would you like anything? Iced tea, water, beer? A Popsicle?” I say to Anne-Marie.

“A Popsicle sounds great,” she says. I hand one to her and Sloane, then take one for myself.

“Where’d you find her?” Anne-Marie says to Sloane, tilting her head toward me as she unwraps her Popsicle. “I’m lucky if my nanny puts her phone away long enough to pick up the kids from school! I’m not kidding, she forgets one of them like twice a month.”

Sloane smirks at me. I smile prettily back. “Just lucky, I guess,” Sloane says. “Where are you guys vacationing from?”Smart, Sloane, change the subject.

“Charlotte,” Anne-Marie says. “Have you been?” She doesn’t wait for either of us to answer. “I’m originally from Vermont, but my husband was born and raised there. We met at a sales conference and one thing led to another! He was adamant about raising kids close to his parents, and since mine are thoroughly enjoying retirement in Boca, I thought,what the hell, and we’ve been there for almost ten years now! It’s a cute city, growing like crazy.”

I give Sloane a look like,See what I mean?and she suppresses a smile.

Anne-Marie continues. “It’s not as big as New York, of course. Caitlin said you’re from the city?” she says to Sloane.

Before Sloane has the chance to answer, there’s the sound of footsteps on the stairs. We all turn to see Jay descending into the living room.

My smile freezes on my face. I’d assumed he wouldn’t come down. That was stupid of me. I should have suggested we all take our Popsicles on the porch with the kids.Shit.

“Anne-Marie,” I say quickly, “this is Jay. Harper’s dad. Jay, this isAnne-Marie, and that’s Claire and Rooney on the deck with Harper. They’re staying in the house next door.”

“Hi,” Jay says, crossing the living room, coming into the kitchen to shake Anne-Marie’s hand. “I was just coming down to grab something to drink.” He gives her his wide, movie-star smile. “Nice to meet you.”

Anne-Marie runs a hand over her hair to smooth it, tucking a strand behind her ear. “Nice to meet you, too,” she says, smiling back.

Then Jay cocks his head. “Didn’t I see you this morning? Out for a run?”

“Oh, probably,” Anne-Marie says. “I try to do five miles before breakfast.”

“Every day?” Jay asks. He sounds impressed.

Anne-Marie nods, blushing slightly. “I try. Some days it’s less. Some mornings I can hit ten, if I get started early enough. I ran the Boston Marathon a few years ago. I went to college there. At BU. I’m training for another next spring.”

---