Page 17 of Sweet Revenge
“Do you have time to catch up?” Cait checked her watch. “The nanny is usually good for another hour or so. We could grab coffee.”
“Oh, I…” Evie looked at the racks of brightly colored dresses around them, reality dragging her back to the reason she was in this damn store in the first place.
“I interrupted.” For the first time, Cait looked unsure of herself, twisting her bracelet around her wrist. “I didn’t mean to make it weird.”
“No, you didn’t.” It surprised Evie just how much she wanted to get that coffee. “I need to find a dress for tomorrow, and I’m not having much luck.”
“Oh.” Cait stopped fidgeting with her bracelet, brow unfurling. “I probably have something back at the house you can borrow. You’re still miles too tall, but a few longer ones should hit you right at the knees. Or,” she added when Evie hesitated, “I could have someone deliver a few options to wherever you’re staying.”
That seemed silly. More than that, she couldn’t ignore the bittersweet tug of the friendship that had always been uncomplicated and easy. Keeping distance between them would be best. Opening herself up would just make leaving again harder. She should definitely say no.
Instead she said, “I can come over. My car’s out front.”
Cait’s smile was infectious. “Perfect. You can follow me. I won’t run any yellow lights this time.”
Evie laughed, following Cait out onto the street, where she watched her expertly climb into a black Escalade. She tailed her from the outskirts of Center City and toward the Main Line. When Cait turned onto a tree-lined drive with stately mansions set back on massive estates, Evie’s fingers tightened on the steering wheel.
Declan lived in this neighborhood. His family had for generations. New money occasionally moved onto the Main Line, but many homes were passed down from one generation to the next as Glenmore House had been. She caught a glimpse of it through the trees as they drove.
A fountain rose from the center of the circular drive. Behind it stood imposing gray stone covered with ivy that snaked across the east wing and out of view. It looked exactly like she remembered it. There had been a time when she’d been a welcomed guest there. Now the gate would likely never swing open for her again.
When Cait slowed, Evie panicked. Did they live with Declan at Glenmore House? She hadn’t prepared herself for that possibility. The tightness in her chest eased, and she let out the breath she’d been holding when Cait turned into the driveway across the street.
This house was newer construction. The whitewashed brick dotted with wide windows flanked by black shutters rose into view from behind the trees as she pulled through the gate. It was imposing but still nowhere near as big as Glenmore House.
She parked in a flat, shaded spot next to the garage and followed Cait inside. It was quiet, and Cait motioned her back to the kitchen, picking up wayward toys on her way and dumping them into a basket.
“Finn is out, and the nanny has Evan at the park, so we’re all alone in here. Coffee?” Cait pulled open the refrigerator door and disappeared behind it. “Tea? Margaritas?”
Evie shook her head and smiled. “Water is fine.”
Cait handed her a chilled bottle and leaned against the edge of the counter, studying Evie with her clear blue eyes.
“You’re not staying, are you?”
There was that tightness in her chest again. “No, I’m not.”
Cait’s lips curved into a sad smile. “All right then. Let’s find you something to wear.”
And that was that. It had always been that simple between them. They’d known each other all their lives. Their own mothers had been friends since childhood, so becoming friends had never been a question. Evie had been closer to Cait than she’d ever been to her own twin. Cait never asked her for anything she couldn’t give.
The double staircase curved up to the second floor, and Cait led her down another hallway dotted with toys. Evie found something oddly comforting about them. Like they were evidence of a happy life well lived. She liked knowing her friend seemed to have everything she wanted. When they turned into the room, Evie stopped short, mouth hanging open.
She’d been expecting a bedroom with a nice closet, but this was an entire room dedicated to clothing. Shoes on special display shelves lined an entire wall. Double racks of clothes were stacked one on top of the other in three, no, four lighted cubbies.
In the spaces in between were drawers that ran from floor to ceiling. There weren’t even any men’s clothes in here. This all belonged to Cait.
“Jesus, Caitlin.”
“I know,” Cait all but groaned, running her hand over the brightly colored clothes. “Finn built it for me after Evan was born.”
A huge square ottoman sat in the center of the room, and Evie couldn’t help but smile when she noticed a small stuffed dog sitting on the edge of it. She brushed her fingers over its soft fur while Cait crossed the room.
“We look like we’re about the same size still. So this one should work.” She pulled out a long black dress with lace cap sleeves and hung it on a hook. “This one too. Although it’s pre-baby when my boobs were smaller, so it might be a little tight. This one might be a little too casual, but I probably have a jacket you could wear over it. What?” she asked when she turned and caught Evie’s smile.
I’ve missed you.“Nothing.”
“I’ll step out,” she said when Evie hesitated.
