She gave a watery smile. “Oh. Okay.”
“Shall we see how Livvy’s doing?”
Eve nodded. They knocked and received an immediate summons. They walked in and paused. Livvy had looked shell-shocked last night, but today she sat at the vanity in a silk robe. The sun streamed through the room, highlighting the pale silk of her wedding gown, hung carefully on the wardrobe.
She glanced over at them and continued smoothing lotion over her arms. “There you two are. Did you sleep at all?”
“Yup,” Sadia said cheerfully.
“Like a baby,” Eve agreed.
“Liars.” Livvy smiled and came to her feet. “We are going to be the most terribly fatigued wedding party in the history of the world.”
“You’re okay, Livvy?” Eve asked, and perched on the bed. “I mean, you’re not—”
“Depressed? No. Oh, I had a bit of a rough patch last night. I started thinking maybe this was all too complicated and hard and we would never get through it all, and wouldn’t Nico be better off without me?” Livvy walked to her wedding gown. “But then I woke up next to Nico, and he still had his arms tight around me. Life’s gonna be complicated and hard no matter what, but if he’s by my side I think we can make this work.” Her face hardened. “Besides, I’ll be damned if I let some asshole—sorry, Eve—take today away from me.”
“Don’t be sorry,” she murmured. “He is an asshole.” The word felt freeing, so she repeated it. “A giant asshole. And I’ll be so happy if he really does sell the company to us.” It might deplete most of the capital she’d planned on using to start her own business, but that was okay. She’d figure something out. She was resourceful.
Livvy sniffed. “You’re growing up, Eve.”
“It’s been a long time coming.”
“Well, if we’re all ready to start getting dressed, let me see what Jia and Ayesha’s ETA is. If they aren’t too close, they can stop and get us some coffees.” Sadia pulled out her phone. Sadia’s younger sisters were arriving to ride herd on Kareem while they all got ready. Plus, Jia was a makeup and style icon and would be doing their hair and makeup.
Livvy examined her face in the mirror. “That would be nice. Did you guys eat? Sadia, can you grab us all some fruit before we get terribly busy?”
“On it.”
Sadia had barely closed the door when Livvy spoke. “I know you and Gabe are a thing. Are you okay, after last night?”
Eve stared at Livvy’s reflection. “Uh, what?”
Livvy rolled her eyes and turned to look at Eve. “Do you think I’m new? I know last night’s news might complicate your relationship. I don’t think you should let it.”
Eve swallowed, uneasy. “We don’t have a relationship. We were—you know. Messing around.”
Livvy lifted her hand. “If you both made an adult, consensual decision to have an affair, it’s not my place to judge.”
“Yup. That’s exactly what happened.” It was, damn it. It couldn’t be helped that she wanted more.
“Okay,” Livvy said, and drummed her fingers on the table. “I’m a little surprised, is all.”
“Because I don’t seem the type to engage in a fling?” She couldn’t help the little bite that accompanied her words.
“Nah. It’s not about you.” She shrugged. “I was surprised because he doesn’t seem the type to mess around with anyone he considers more vulnerable than him.”
“You’re making me sound weak.”
“I don’t mean to. Can I give you some sisterly advice? From someone who has been in this situation before?”
Eve readjusted her position. “Sure.”
“Be honest with him. Whatever your expectations or needs are. Sex, love, whatever. It always works better that way.”
“I’ve been honest with him.” Sort of. Kind of.
“And be honest with yourself too.” Livvy’s smile was rueful. “That’s the first step, really. Don’t just think about what he wants or what you think he wants. Think about what you want too.” She looked up and smiled as Sadia slipped into the room with a tray of food. “Ah, good.”
