Page 56 of Second Chances
“Yes, I saw that. Where do we stand with everything else?”
“I have a meeting with the caterer and decorator this afternoon to finalize what we’ve discussed so I’ll be able to send over a total price for all that sometime either later this afternoon or tomorrow morning.”
“Great, I’m glad things are moving along so smoothly. I’m anxious for the exhibition to be here already,” Caro said, even though her voice sounded more distracted than excited. “So, your mom has been keeping me updated with responses to invites for Jane’s shower…”
“Yeah, she’s kind of crazy like that, probably because I don’t respond to her messages about them. I’m actually going to confirm with the decorator and caterer this afternoon about her shower, as well, after I talk to them about your event. So, I’ll get all of that squared away, then it will just be a matter of getting her there without her knowing, but I think we’ve come up with a great plan,” Beth said.
“Yes! I’m glad we decided against having Charles bring her; he can be too much of a pushover and he might let something slip,” Caro began with a roll of her eyes, “I just spoke with Jane today, though, about where she wants to ‘go to look at wedding bands for Charles.’ I did ask him for his ring size too, so she can actually accomplish something during this ruse. I figured that it would be best to just ask her as a spur-of-the-moment type of thing on our way back if she wouldn’t mind stopping at my house to look at some of the pieces for my show. I don’t want to ask her sooner and give her the opportunity to say no or have something come up, not that Jane would do that, but shedefinitelywon’t turn me down if I ask her in person.”
“Yeah, I agree. Not that she would turn you down anyway, but she won’t refuse if you ask her to stop in on your way home really quickly.”
“Great. So, then you and your mom will hold down the fort at my house while the guests arrive and then I’ll let you know when I’m about to leave with Jane.”
“Perfect!” Beth said with a smile. She did feel relieved that this party seemed to be coming together pretty easily; it was one less thing for her to stress over.
“So, how is everything going with your boyfriend? Did you work everything out?” Caro asked, pinning Beth with her inquisitive stare as she abruptly changed the topic of their conversation.
Beth gaped at her for a second, thrown off-guard by the question and back into the anxious mindset that she’d managed to close off for a few minutes.
“I, umm, yeah…” she began, “Yeah, sorry. We worked everything out.” She gave Caro her best confidently satisfied smile, hoping that it would deter further questioning so Beth could avoid being outright evasive or rude.
“Oh, good, you seemed so distressed the other weekend and I haven’t had a chance to follow up with you…” Caro returned her smile with one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “It’s hard when there are so many outside obstacles that cause problems…” Caro trailed off, waiting for Beth to elaborate further.
“Yes, that is very true,” Beth agreed, honestly, “but, thankfully, we worked through the problem, for the better.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Caro said, her voice suspiciously hollow.
Beth didn’t say anything back, assuming Caro would take the hint and let her get on with her work day.
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to bother you. It’s just been a little lonely since I moved back. Most of my friends have gone their separate ways since I left so I’m just starting to realize how few people I know here anymore,” Caro explained.
Nice, Beth.
Why hadn’t she thought of that? No wonder Caro was being nosy; she was trying to ingratiate herself with Jane’s family because she’s lived out of the country for what, five—six years now? Of course, her friends from before have moved away or moved on with their lives.
She’s just trying to become your friend and you’re trying to get rid of her - way to go.
Beth shook her head, “I’m sorry, Caro. I completely understand. I’m just super distracted with work this morning; my team had events this past weekend so I’m trying to get up to speed on everything that happened,” Beth apologized with an excuse that was reasonable and at least partially true.
Just because Caroline’s inquisitiveness made more sense now didn’t mean Beth felt comfortable opening up to her completely yet.Hell, she could barely bring herself to talk to Jane about her problems with Darcy…
“Of course, I didn’t even think. Well, I’ll let you get back to it,” Caro said as she stood up to say goodbye.
“Thank you. Maybe you, Jane, and I can get together for a girl’s night at some point over the next coming weeks?” Beth suggested as she stood to walk Caro to her door.
“That would be great. Thanks for everything. Keep me posted on the vendors and anything else you might need for the shower.”
Beth nodded with a smile as she held the door open for Caroline.
“Have a good rest of your day; we’ll talk soon,” Caro said as she walked through the door, a dark smile spreading over her face as she walked down the hallway away from Beth, the woman she was going to ruin.
Closing the door behind Caro, Beth took a few deep breaths as she sat back down at her desk.Damn,she’d just made it back into work mode and then Caro had to go and bring up Darcy. Now, her brain was circling around her dilemma again. Picking up her phone, she saw that Jane responded to her twenty minutes ago that she was free to talk.
You know Jane is just going to say that you have to tell him; she’s not going to be able to fully understand how much the CB being back had already messed with him.
No, she couldn’t ask Jane about this now. She needed more information. Maybe, now that CB saw that she was guarded, she would leave her alone.
Unlikely. Very unlikely.
