I roll my eyes, chuckling as I turn back to the door. It’s a relief to see the old Myles still in there. After everything that’s happened between us recently, it’s nice to feel like things could maybe get back to normal.
The door swings open and Claudia greets me with a huge smile. Her dark, glossy hair is still chin-length, her figure still tall and slim, her clothing still stylish. She looks exactly as she did when I last saw her years ago, except for a few more lines around her eyes.
“Cat!” She reaches out, yanking me into a hug. “I can’t believe you’re finally here. It’s been way too long.” When she releases me, her gaze snags on my pink locks. “Your hair! What an… interesting color.”
I shoot Myles anI told you solook, but he ignores me, thrusting his hand toward Claudia. “Hi there, I’m Myles. Cat’s boyfriend.”
“Yes, hello. Claudia. Welcome.”
I take a breath, bracing myself as we step inside. Everything is just as I remember it, as if we’re stepping back in time: rich, heavy fabrics, parquet floors, designer wallpaper, ornate and intricate details, antique furniture—the works.
Claudia met Mark through her work in real estate. Years ago she sold properties downtown and, after marrying, moved to work on the Upper East Side. I think she and her husband Andy inherited this house from his parents, but I’m not totally sure on the details. Suffice it to say, Claudia lives in averydifferent world to us now. Still, she’s always been friendly, and out of the whole group we used to hang out with, she was the one I liked the most. Andy, on the other hand, was a philandering jerk.
Huh. I wonder if that’s why he and Mark get on so well.
I suppress a smile as I watch Myles beside me, hands in his pockets and eyes wide, taking in the lush interior. Seems this is pretty far from his world, too.
“Everyone is up here,” Claudia says, gesturing up a staircase. “But Bill and Stacey had to cancel. They had some babysitter issue at the last minute and couldn’t get away.” She turns to us with an apologetic smile. “So it’s just going to be the six of us, I hope that’s okay.”
I let this information sink in. I was hoping for a dinner party with several other couples to provide a buffer between us and you-know-who. Still, nothing I can do about that now.
“Of course.”
“Oh, good.” Relief breaks over her face. “Mark has brought his girlfriend, Mel. You have to come meet her, she’s lovely.”
I resist the urge to laugh hysterically as we follow Claudia up the stairs and down a hall, trying not to let my too-big shoes clomp on the parquet floor. Before I know it, we are in the living room—well, one of them, anyway—and Claudia is introducing everyone.
There’s an awkward pause, until I say, “We all know each other already.”
“Oh.” Claudia glances between us in confusion.
I inhale, ready to explain the situation, but decide against it. “It’s a long story,” is all I say, giving a strained laugh.
She smiles, not quite in on the joke, then gestures to a Chesterfield sofa. “Take a seat. Andy must be getting drinks. What can I get you two?”
“Vodka soda for me, please.” I look at Myles.
“Whiskey, thanks.”
Claudia nods, then hurries out of the room. Perhaps she can sense the tension vibrating around the four of us, ready to implode at any second.
Mark frowns at Myles, then his gaze slides to me. “I thought you were bringing some guy called Shane?”
I send him a syrupy smile. “No.”
Mel doesn’t miss a beat, her eyes focused on me like lasers. “What are you even doing here?”
“I wanted to see Claudia. I was invited, you know.”
“You could have at least made an effort. What are youwearing?”
Myles takes my hand, and from the corner of my eye I see his jaw tighten.
“It’s one of my designs,” I say.
Mel emits a derisive snort. “Oh, howcute. And your hair is—”
“Fucking sexy,” Myles interrupts, tightening his grip on my hand. “She looks gorgeous. Stop being so passive-aggressive.”
