“They look and smell so delicious.” Pippa leans in, breathing deeply.
I inhale and catch a whiff of strong perfume. That slinking feeling creeps over my skin as Marlow appears again.
“Thanks for the breadsticks,” she says and slides onto the bench next to me, getting cozy.
I move over to get away from her, putting me on the edge of the seat.
Pippa’s face, bright before, crumbles.
“Hey, Pippa. I didn’t know you were here. Chase was so sweet and bought me these breadsticks. By any chance, do you have some sauce?” She bursts out laughing like that’s the most hilarious thing she’s ever heard. “Oh, wait, should I send an email and ask?” Marlow smiles wickedly at me as though waiting for me to join the fun.
Just then, two little girls rush up to Pippa and wrap their arms around her, shouting, “Auntie Pippop!”
“Paige and Parker, my two favorite nieces.” With a wide smile, she returns the hugs.
A woman with reddish hair and round features brings up the rear. Balloons, toy prizes, and a greasy bag fill her hands.
“I take it you’ve been on the spinning teacups,” Pippa says to her.
“Three times. I promised them one more ride then?—”
Pippa squeezes an arm around her friend as if to keep her from tipping over from dizziness. Then, turning to me, she says, “Gemma, my best friend, meet Chase. Chase, meet Gemma.”
The woman blinks a few times as though bringing me into focus. “So lovely to meet you.” She has a Concordian accent, which is part British English and part French.
“Likewise,” I say, shaking her hand. “And these two little beauties must be the royal princesses of Concordia,” I say with a smile.
The little girls grin. “I’m Paige and this is my twin, Parker.”
Parker adds, “Auntie Pippop is a twin too, but she got stuck with Uncle Freddie.”
“Auntie Phoebe is much prettier.”
We all laugh at the kids’ candor.
“I know your Uncle Freddie. He’s getting married soon.”
“Me too, but I don’t like Aimme. She frowns too much,” Parker sticks out her tongue.
“And she looks at other boys too,” Paige whispers like she knows that’s a no-no.
Uh, oh,Gemma mouths.
“I remember Freddie. How is he these days?” Marlow purrs. Turning to Gemma, she says, “And I’m Marlow.”
Gemma’s eyes grow wide like saucers and she turns to Pippa. In a whisper, she says, “You owe me an epic story later because I want to understand how this happened.” She gestures between the three of us.
Pippa sighs. “Unfortunately, I always have one at the ready.”
“Pippop? That’s a good one,” Marlow cackles.
As if sniffing out a rat, the little girls recognize she’s teasing and scowl in Marlow’s direction.
Gemma gasps. “Wait. What happened to your lip? Were you in a brawl?” She puts up her dukes, dropping the bag. “You know I have your back.” She narrows her eyes in Marlow’s direction.
“I thought she had a bad lip filler job,” Marlow says pointedly.
Pippa and Gemma exchange a knowing look.
