“Everything okay?” I asked when I got out of the car.
“Fine.” She smiled. “I wanted to check on you and see how things were going with Lugh.”
Dead end on the Lugh front. “I haven’t heard a peep from him. No one has anything bad to say, and I can’t find any evidence of wrongdoing. It’s maddening.”
I opened the wards and invited Mom in. She blinked in hesitation, then stepped inside. “We can talk while I change.”
“Going somewhere?”
“I’m off to see if Caelan is cheating on me.”
Mom’s sure steps hitched. I opened the door and went inside, but she was frozen on the porch, staring at me with eyes.
“Excuse me?”
“It’s a long story.”
“One I want to hear.” Mom stepped inside and shut the door. “Have time for a cup of coffee?”
“I’ll take one to go, if you don’t mind.”
Mom waved me away. “Go get changed and I’ll make a pot.”
Five minutes later, Mom handed me a filled thermal cup. I’d put on a pair of stylish but comfortable boots, wool slacks, and a blue cashmere sweater.
“Would you like some company?”
Me and Mom on a stakeout to stalk my boyfriend? “Yes, if you have time.”
Mom grinned. “Of course I have time.
“I promised Simone I wouldn’t cause a scene.”
She nodded gravely. “I promised nothing of the sort.” Mom held up a finger and went back to the kitchen to pour herself a to-go mug. “We’ll play catch up in the car.”
Caelan’s carwas parked in the restaurant lot, sending my already plummeting spirits even lower.
“Are we going in?” Mom asked.
“I’m going in. I won’t interrupt, but I do want to see how…cozy things are.”
Mom’s eyes turned soft. “Be absolutely sure before you do or say something you can’t take back.”
I nodded and slid out of the car.
The restaurant was small, tasteful, and filled with customers. I waved the hostess away. “I see my party,” I said, pointing in a random direction as I sailed past.
There was only one dining room making it easy to see Caelan, but he didn’t notice me. Rachel sat with her back toward the door. She wore a halter dress, showcasing the smooth, tan skin of her back. Her hair was left down and loose, falling in a wave of soft curls.
And Caelan looked absolutely enamored. I swallowed hard and moved closer to see their hands clasped on top of the table.
My eyes burned. Remembering my promise to Simone, I did my best to clear my mind and heart of the humiliation and fury Ifelt and stopped at the edge of their table. Caelan looked up and froze. His brow furrowed and he looked down at his hand, only to yank it away from Rachel.
“Evie!” he said in surprise.
“Hi.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “Is there anything you want to tell me?”
Rachel leaned forward and smiled, satisfaction dripping in her expression. “Hello, Evie. I’m surprised to see you here. It takes ages to get a reservation.”
