Page 207 of Sins & Secrets

“So, what place tonight?” she asks as she turns on a lamp in the corner and settles into the one comfy chair in the room… which isn’t even the desk chair.

“Order in takeout, getting pretty and hitting the town?” she suggests then takes her scarf off and looks around the office.

She doesn’t even give me a chance to answer her before practically scolding me. “Why the hell haven’t you decorated this room?”

I shrug as I follow her gaze. I have a bookshelf in the back, but all the books are still in boxes on the floor.

“Just not a priority,” I answer her honestly. “I look at the screen more than anything anyway.”

“It’s like your décor inspiration was a depressing cubicle.”

I snort at her response, but it makes me laugh so hard.

“Maddie should focus on redecorating in here before planning a baby shower.”

I don’t think the remark was meant to be taken seriously, but I actually love the idea. “I should tell her. I’d like that.”

Twisting the scarf around her hand, she crosses her legs. “I’m sure she’d love to.”

“Well, actually. I totally forgot to tell you, but I may move in with Jules for a little while so Maddie could really go to town.”

Cocking a brow at me, Sue leans forward with her mouth a bit more open than it should be before she says, “You sure you want to be around to hear them when they … enjoy their newlywed activities? I feel like that’s the number one concern here.”

I roll my eyes. “It was Mason’s suggestion, so I’m sure he …”Ugh.The thought of them doing it in the room next to me is a thought I’d rather not picture.

“I get it,” Sue says, sensing exactly what was on my mind. “You shouldn’t be alone, though. Not when you have so many people who love you.”

I shut down my computer and give her a tight smile. “That’s basically what Jules said.”

She adds, “Good. Because you’re not alone, and there’s no reason you should feel it right now.”

Today’s been so much better than the last few and Sue’s sweetness threatens to change that. “Damn it, Sue, stop it,” I admonish her and shake off the unwanted emotions as they creep up on me. “I’m fine.”

“I know you are!” she says, pushing herself up from the seat. “And that’s why we’re going to go out and go somewhere fabulous.”

My phone dings on the desk, indicating a text as I start to tell Sue that I don’t really think I want to go out.

Holding back a yawn, I cautiously look at the message. I’ve had four texts today already. Each from a gossip column editor wanting a statement or my reaction to the recent events. Evan’s been spotted with Samantha again and the rumor mill is churning with tales of scandal.

They can go screw themselves. I believe that was my response to each of the columnists. Probably not the best quote I’ve ever given. He promised he wouldn’t see her. I guess I got my sign.

“You okay?” Sue asks, and I nod when I see it’s a text from Henry this time.

He messages me almost every other day, which makes the fact that Evan hasn’t bothered to call me back that much harder to take.

“Just Evan’s dad. Wanting to drop by with some lemons.”

“Lemons?” she questions.

“He said they helped Marie when she was pregnant and nauseated.”

“But you aren’t …” Sue trails off with a hint of confusion.

“I know!” I answer jokingly as I text Henry,Thank you, but I’m fine. Really it’s sweet of you but I’m not nauseated.I wonder if I should ask him how Evan is. Where he is. Or anything at all.

Before I can, he answers that he wants to meet for lunch soon.

“You know, he’s really sweet,” I tell Sue, feeling guilty and torn about what to do.

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