Page 114 of The Stranger
“Darling.” Is the first word out of her mouth once we’re connected.
“Eloise.”
“I’m sorry to bother you at work, but I’ve been dying to hear how the engagement party went on the weekend. I would’ve called you yesterday, but I knew you had your shift at the restaurant.”
“I quit the restaurant.”
“You did?”
“Yes, Spenc—” I cut myself off just in case someone is listening. “We spent the day at the estate.”
“Oh, how lovely.”
“It was just what I needed.”
“And how did Saturday night go? I bet you knocked everyone’s socks off in that dress.”
I blow out a puff of air. “It was … a disaster.”
“The dress?”
“No, the party.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that, Delilah.”
“I have so much to tell you, but I don’t want to get into it here.”
“Can we do lunch?”
“Today?”
“Of course, today, you can’t allude to a disaster and then leave me hanging. The suspense will surely kill me.”
I laugh into the phone. “Always so dramatic.”
“I’m a widower without a life … let me have something.”
“You realise your ex-husband is still alive, right?”
“And like I told you once before … he is dead to me, so technically, I am a widow.”
“Fair enough,” I say, smiling. “What time do you want to do lunch?”
“I’m available whenever you are.”
“How does noon sound? I can meet you out the front of the building.”
“Perfect. See you then, darling. Mwah.”
I should’ve been more insistent about where we were going to meet. The last thing I’m expecting is Eloise to show up on my floor at a quarter to twelve with Shay-lee in tow.
“Mrs Prescott,” I say, standing and forcing out a polite smile, hoping she doesn’t sense my mortification.
She arches one of her perfectly sculptured brows. “Mrs Prescott? Since when have we been so formal, darling?”
I bow my head. “Sorry … I mean, Eloise.”
“Don’t be silly, sweet girl,” she says, rounding my desk and placing a hand on each shoulder. I feel my cheeks heat when she air kisses either side of my face.
