Page 125 of The Fallen Man
“OK,” said Caitlin. She tried to decide if feeling like she wanted to puke was nerves or the concussion. She was halfway across the room when the door opened, and Olivia came in.
“Well, how would I know, sugar?” she said over her shoulder and then turned to see Caitlin. “Oh! It’s Katie! Evan, it’s Katie that we like! Did we know you were going to be here? Oh, wait, we did, if you’re Caitlin Granger. You’re Caitlin, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” said Caitlin, and then found herself being hugged as Evan came in the door behind Olivia carrying a load of Christmas presents.
“Oh, goddamn it, Jackson, no! That’s our Katie. You can’t have her.”
“I beg your pardon?”
Caitlin heard an unexpectedly frosty note in Jackson’s voice.
“She’s the only thing that makes those events bearable!”
“I’m going back to work next week,” Caitlin said. “I’ll still pour you drinks.”
“You say that,” Evan said, transferring his boxes to one arm, so he could give her a half-hug, “but then he’ll decide it’s not safe or something. Like he keeps telling me about the subway.”
“Her work is the only place I think she is safe,” complained Jackson.
And Olivia beamed at her. “I’m so glad you’re you!”
“It is a relief,” said Evan. “I was trying to work up the enthusiasm for a new person, and now I don’t have to!”
Caitlin looked at Jackson, trying to determine if Olivia and Evan were being serious.
“Well, it would get weird if she wasn’t her,” agreed Jackson.
“I think he just means we’re glad you’re not dating someone objectionable,” said Olivia.
“What do I have to do to be objectionable?” asked Caitlin, now fascinated. She couldn’t imagine what could be in her favor other than Evan and Olivia liking her cocktails.
“Sasha Beckstale,” muttered Evan going behind the bar.
“I never dated her,” laughed Jackson.
“Much to her chagrin,” said Evan. “I’m just saying she would be extremely objectionable.”
“I don’t know what a Sasha Beckstale is,” said Olivia. “But it sounds horrible.”
“She really is,” agreed Jackson.
“Yes, but…” said Caitlin, now feeling entirely uncertain, “Really? You don’t mind about my father?”
Evan blinked at her as if trying to wrap his head around the concept.
“Well, I’m the granddaughter of Eleanor’s main political enemy,” said Olivia.
“And Aiden’s dating a girl who tried to run a hostile take-over on a business or grandfather founded,” said Evan. “So, youknow…”
“Oh,” said Caitlin. “I’m not even cracking the top ten of objectionable, am I?”
Evan laughed. “Not even top twenty.”
“Hey, guys!” chirped Dominique coming in, followed by a handsome guy who was tall even by Deveraux standards.
“Hey Nika, Max,” said Evan. “Drink?”
“Yes, please,” said Max, but Dominique headed straight for Caitlin.
