Evie pouredorange juice into the punch bowl. Nerves flittered up her spine. Book club was that night, but she had no idea how any of it would work. The new bookshelves she and Charmaine picked out in Airlie Beach had arrived that morning and were pushed up against the walls. The floor had been temporarily fixed with sheets of plywood and was a complete hodgepodge of mismatched materials. She’d pulled chairs into a circle next to a table piled with finger foods, and only hoped not many people would show.
Beatrice poked her head through the front door. “Hello?”
Evie waved.
“Is book club still on? I wasn’t sure, with all the construction and everything.”
“Still on,” Evie replied. “Come in. You’re a little early—that’s all. I’m sure the others will be arriving soon.”
“Wow,” Bea said, scanning the room. “We’ve had the partition up between the café and your shop, so I haven’t seen inside lately. You’ve done a lot — I love these new bookshelves.”
“Thanks. I probably shouldn’t have spent so much money, but I figure they’ll last forever.”
“Absolutely! They’ll be worth every penny.”
Just then, the lights went out and the entire bookshop was thrown into darkness. A crack of thunder in the distance made Evie jump. “Oh, no. Everyone will be here soon. I hope the lights come back on quickly or it’s going to be a little awkward bumping into each other in the dark.”
“I’ll get some candles from the café,” Bea said.
“Thanks, but I have plenty in the storeroom.”
The two of them found the candles and lighters and went about the bookshop setting candles in strategic locations. Before long, the entire room looked like a romantic setting from a movie. People began to arrive and find their places. Everyone exclaimed over the pretty candlelight, and Evie had to admit that the multicoloured floor and the half-painted walls looked much more appealing in the flickering golden light.
David came in last with Emily on his arm and waved to Evie. By that time, she was fully occupied getting drinks for people and answering questions about the renovation. She waved back and watched as he and Emily found seats. Emily came to the table to get drinks for them both.
“Loving the atmosphere,” she said. “Very romantic.”
“Thanks. The power went out. I think there’s a storm coming.”
“Sorry I couldn’t help set up. My headache isn’t so bad now.”
“I’m glad you’re feeling better. I don’t mind setting up by myself—I didn’t have to do too much. I decided on finger food straight from the freezer section.”
Emily laughed. “Good choice.”
It warmed her heart to see her sister happy and for the two of them to have a conversation that didn’t involve yelling. They got on well some of the time, but Emily’s jealousy got in the way the rest of the time. Jealousy was no way to live, Evie had decided many years earlier. The two of them had always been highly competitive — competing for attention, awards, friendships and boys. But Evie had decided to give up competing when it finally caused her so much heartbreak that she lost the will to fight. She only hoped Emily would share her desire for reconciliation so the two of them could be sisters again.
The group was halfway through their discussion questions for the current month’s book when the door swung open and a man stepped through the doorway. Charmaine gasped and rushed to greet him. They spoke together in hushed tones while the discussion continued. Evie watched them, half distracted, wondering who the man was and why Charmaine had such red cheeks. She got up from her chair and quietly made her way to the front door.
“Hi, I’m Evie,” she whispered, stretching out her hand towards him.
He glared at her, then shook it. “Sean. Pleased to meet you.”
Evie glanced at Charmaine, who looked distressed. “This is my brother.”
“Oh, yes. Of course. How nice to see you at book club. Will you join us?”
“Book club? No, thank you. I have somewhere else I have to be just as soon as my little sister does what I’ve asked her to do.”
Evie looked back and forth between the two of them. Charmaine stayed silent, her lips pressed together until they were like a thin, pale line.
“Go away, Sean. I’ll talk to you about it later. I’m busy now.”
He grunted. “I don’t care if you’re busy. I need it now, and I can’t wait any longer. I think I’ve been more than patient with you.”
“I’m sorry,” Evie interrupted, provoking Sean’s face to become thunderous. “What are we talking about?”
“Nothing,” Charmaine quickly responded. “Sean, I can’t help you now. There’s a roomful of people here, and you’re being rude.”
