Page 6 of Karma

Faith nodded. “There’s not much to tell. I’m running a new interior design business and helping Ethan raise his half sister, Tess. I’m busy. And you?”

“Half sister?” Liza asked, not ready to delve into her own personal stuff just yet. She wanted to hear more about Faith and now Tess, who just happened to be Dare’s half sister too.

“There’s some gossip that hasn’t gotten around?” Faith asked, laughing.

Liza grinned. “I suppose it depends on what circles you run in. I’m so busy working I don’t have time to socialize much.” And when she did it wasn’t in Serendipity.

Faith braced her hands around her cup. “Tess and her sister, Kelly, arrived last summer. Nobody knew about Tess, and she’s been a handful, but she’s come a long way since then.” Faith spoke with obvious pride.

“And Ethan? How did you end up with him?”

Her eyes lit up at the mention of her husband. “Ethan and I met up again when I came back to town. Right before Tess showed up. We sort of…I wouldn’t say picked up where we left off because we didn’t have a past relationship. But we did have this connection…” A pink blush stained Faith’s cheeks.

There was a story there, Liza knew. If the rosy glow on Faith’s face was an indication of that connection, Liza hoped she’d hear all about it one day. She might not believe in happily ever after for herself, but if it worked for others, what the hell.

“Well, I’m happy for you. I really am.”

“Thanks.” Faith smiled. “Now about you?”

Liza nodded, knowing she’d have to divulge some things. The easy things. “Not much to tell. I went to New York University and lived in the city for four years, got my degree, and came home to join the family business.”

“That’s a good thing, yes?”

Liza thought about it and nodded. “Actually it is. My parents retired to Florida, which leaves me to run the place as I see fit. I love restoring old buildings, finding ways to keep their history while modernizing them at the same time.”

“Well, good.” Faith glanced down. “No ring, so you’re not married?”

Liza shook her head back and forth quickly. “No, not me.” To get married would mean she’d have to trust a man to get close to her again, to potentially break her heart, her spirit, and maybe even something more.

Not ever again.

“I’m more of an affair kind of girl,” she said, knowing how that sounded and not giving a damn.

Faith raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

Liza kept quiet too. She’d long since stopped apologizing for who she was and what she wanted. If it was fear of making another major mistake in judgment driving her, so what? She certainly didn’tactlike she was afraid nor would she admit it out loud. Which meant she was able to enjoy her life and brief relationships with men, have fun, and stay safe. Nobody got close and she liked it that way.

“Hey, whatever floats your boat,” Faith said lightly. But those golden eyes were too perceptive, making Liza squirm. “You know, I was married before Ethan,” Faith said, taking Liza off guard. “The guy was a self-centered jerk who used me for my father’s connections and cheated on me, probably from day one.”

Faith’s sudden admission cemented Liza’s certainty that Faith saw much more than she said aloud.

“I’m sorry,” Liza said, not mentioning she’d read Faith’s history in the magazine article.

Faith smiled. “I’m not. It made me stronger and I found Ethan.”

Liza admired the other woman’s attitude.

“Listen to us, talking so easily, like no time has passed,” Liza said, grateful her old friend hadn’t changed.

“I’m not surprised. I was looking forward to meeting you today. I’m glad the committee got us back in touch again.”

“Me too. Speaking of the committee, how’d you wrangle the fund-raising chair? Not that I’m complaining. I’d much rather work with an old friend than an old biddy any day.”

Liza grinned and Faith burst out laughing.

“Caroline Bretton, the president of the Beautification Committee, is a client and an old friend of my mother’s. The committee was dying to have the fundraiser at the mansion and they knew better than to think Ethan would open his house to the upper crust of Serendipity just because they asked.” Faith wrinkled her nose, her disdain for those particular people evident.

Knowing the Barron brothers’ past, growing up on thewrongside of town among other things, Liza could understand that. “So what made you want to talk him into it? Never mind take on such a huge responsibility?”

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