But, she insisted we go. So now we’re two minutes away from a party thatofficiallystarted ten minutes ago—dressed in green and red. My emerald two-piece suit, which isadorableby the way, and her red dress. Motherfucking Christmas personified.
“Code word,” I blurt out.
“Huh?” Evan doesn’t turn from her view out the window as she bites the skin around her thumb.
“You saypersimmonsand we get the fuck out of there, no questions asked.”
“Can we think of a different word?”
“Russell Crowe.”
Evan turns over her shoulder slowly, a smile almost present. “What?”
“It was the first thing that came into my head,” I say, shrugging.
“Russell Crowe was the first thing that came into your head?”
“Yes.”
She nods, grinning. “Okay… Maybe just crow?”
“That works.”
Our ride slows to a stop and the driver flicks on his hazard lights. “Thank you,” I say, sliding out after Evan onto the sidewalk outside of theannoyinglycharming brownstone. I reach for Evan’s hand and wind my fingers through hers. “Hey,” I say forcefully.
She turns, swallowing.
“You did nothing wrong. She’s a jerk. Let’s try to have fun.”
Evan takes a deep breath, her nostrils flaring as she nods. “Yeah, okay.”
I take a step closer, putting my chin on her shoulder, covered by her thick coat. “And I’m going toverymuch enjoy watching her realise how fucking gorgeous you look tonight.” I give her bum a quick squeeze and Evan rolls her eyes. “You crow, we leave.” I kiss her cheek just as the door opens and Lisa comes barreling out, laughing.
“Oh,” she says, spotting us. She clears her throat. “Hi! Sorry, I was expecting Jodie—they’re apparently out front but they must be lost.” Lisa laughs weakly. “Um, come up! Come in. Please.” She waves us up the front steps and I smile sweetly as we approach.
“I’m Clara,” I say, putting out my hand.
“Great to meet you.”
“Evan’s girlfriend,” I emphasise, my smile faltering to a pointed line. The point beingfuck you Lisa and fuck your cheater of a girlfriend too.
She looks so uneasy that I double down, wrapping my arm around Evan’s shoulders. “See you inside!” I move us into a warm entryway, a pile of coats over a chair and shoes haphazardly tossed around.
Evan is fumbling with her jacket’s buttons when a familiar voice wafts in from the other room. “Jo—” the name dies on her tongue as Natalie rounds the corner and sees us instead.
“This Jodie is so popular,” I chime, tossing my coat aside with a flourish and fixing the lapel of my suit. “Hi, Natalie, right? I think we’ve met.” I’m being a bitch, I know. She invited me to that party for Evan four years ago. I askedherwhat to bring. She welcomed me that night too. We talked about Evan, art, and teaching over vodka martinis. But that’s when I liked her. That’s before I loved Evan in this new way that has me puffing my chest out like some sort of wild animal.
“Yeah,” she sighs. “Hi, Clara.” Natalie looks right through me to Evan, who’s flattening her dress with her hands. “Hey, Ev.”
“Thanks for having us,” Evan says flatly. “Nice place.”
We stand there for severaltortuousseconds as they just look at each other blankly. I feel as if I could grow claws if I focused hard enough.
“Everyone’s in here.” Natalie turns and gestures for us to follow without looking back to make sure we are.
“Crow?” I ask quietly.
Evan shakes her head.
