Page 142 of An Unholy Affair
Eveline’s heart swelled with pride. ‘I’m pleased it all worked out so brilliantly.’
‘Well, itishis job.’
Her pulse quickened. She couldn’t forget that everyone knew Jack as a party planner, not a former sex worker.
‘And it meant we could also mollify Mom by letting her invite more of her fancy friends. Did I tell you Aunt Simone has come over for it?’
Henry and Estelle’s aunt was a famous designer who had her own label in Paris. Eveline glanced at the coat over her dress.
‘Relax. She’s not the fashion police,’ Estelle said.
‘I’m not used to dressing up.’
‘Well, you should do it more often. You look incredible.’
She squeezed her friend’s hand. ‘As do you.’
Estelle grinned. ‘Thank you. I’m hoping Isaac is going to show up so I can finally seduce him.’
Eveline’s tummy knotted. Not only had Isaac taken a vow of celibacy, but she also knew that if he was ever tempted to break it, it wouldn’t be with Estelle. Isaac liked her, but only as a friend.
‘Estelle… It has been a while now without him accepting any of your invitations.’
Her friend let out a growl of annoyance. ‘And even when I wave my arse in the air like a muppet in yoga, he still refuses to correct my downward doggy-style… Are you sure he’s not gay?’
Eveline nodded. ‘It might be time to let this one go.’
‘Humph. I don’t think so. What do you always say? “Never give up, never surrender?”’
She grinned. ‘Well, maybe this should be an exception?’
Estelle stuck her tongue out, then shrugged. ‘Well, tonight there might be some hotties. I just wish my brothers had fitter friends.’
‘Finn’s very handsome?’
‘Eww! I feel more related to him than to my bloody cousins! And anyway, that beard is…’
‘Rugged? Manly?’
‘I was going to say “gross”.’
Eveline stopped abruptly, heat flaring through her, lights flashing on and off behind her eyes.
‘You okay?’
She nodded. ‘I just suddenly went all woozy.’
Estelle was frowning with concern. ‘Are you sure I shouldn’t take you home? Call a doctor?’
Eveline forced a laugh. ‘No, I’m fine, I promise. There’s no way I want to miss this.’ She pulled her friend towards the Manor. The façade had swirling snowfall projected onto it and looked otherworldly.
‘Cinderella shall go to the ball?’
‘Something like that.’ Eveline wasn’t feeling herself, but she wanted to be by Jack’s side to celebrate his success and show the world the two of them together. ‘And anyway,’ she continued. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever been to an event like this before.’
‘Didn’t you have a prom when you left school?’
Unpleasant memories flooded in and she pulled a face. ‘I did, but I spent most of the night crying in the toilets.’
