“You came,” he said, offering Mrs. Gilroy his arm.
“I—” AJ swallowed. “Sorry, Libby was, um, Libby.” Articulate. Brilliant. Great.
Just then, Allison Seabring swept into the vestibule. She wore a floral gown that flowed off her as if specifically designed for her willowy shape. There was such crispness to her beauty as she grasped Mrs. Gilroy’s other arm, her eyes twinkling like fresh-cut sapphires.
“You heading home, Mrs. G?” she asked. “I’ll walk out with you—I want to try to get to Big Y before they close.”
Mrs. Gilroy smiled approvingly. Allison was probably nipping out to get something AJ would never buy, like arrowroot starch. She and Noah probably ate like hunter-gatherers. AJ felt the strawberry Coolatta she’d split with Libby turn to lead in her stomach.
Now Allison’s eyes were on AJ. “You look so familiar,” she said, squinting. “Have we met?” AJ shook her manicured hand and introduced herself. “Oh,of course,” said Allison with genuine warmth. “Noah’s told me so much about you. I love ‘1-800-Amethyst.’ ”
As they traded compliments, AJ was forced to conclude that Allison was fucking lovely. The rumor mill had one thing right, though: no ring.
Now Allison was turning to Noah. “Did you take Bud out or should I?”
“I got it,” he said.
AJ averted her gaze to the drawing room, immediately locking eyes with Risa.
“AJ!” she cried, beckoning AJ toward the sofa where she and Ned were ensconced.
“Go ahead,” said Noah. “I’ll be right there.”
As AJ made her way to the space where she, Noah, and Eudora had spent so many afternoons, she could still detect Eudora’s floral perfume clinging to the drapery. In the mirror above the mantel, she glimpsed Allison and Noah helping Mrs. Gilroy to the door.
“AJ—it’s so nice of you to come to this,” said Ned, taking an embroidered antique chair as AJ joined Risa on the sofa. AJ smiled back, reflexively sliding her left hand under her thigh. If anyone would notice her own absent ring, it was Risa.
“How are you two liking the Berkshires?” she asked.
“There’s no service up here!” said Risa in horror. “We got so lost onthe way to the memorial, I thought Ned’s Garmin was going to drive us off a cliff.”
As she and Ned recounted their travails up the “scenic post road,” AJ watched Noah in the mirror. He held the door for Mrs. Gilroy, but Allison lingered with him to farewell the last few guests. When he bowed his head in exhaustion, she went up onto her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. Then the caterers took their leave, and Allison ducked out with them.
Noah closed the door behind her with a weary click, as if the only good thing in his life had just gone. He took a moment, gathering himself, then headed for the drawing room. AJ averted her gaze before he could catch her watching.
“There he is,” said Ned.
Noah gave him a tired smile. “You two should head out,” he said. “I’m sure you’re tired.”
Ned shrugged and glanced at Risa. “Are you sure?” said Risa tentatively.
“Yeah,” said Noah. He gave them a small, mischievous smile. “The post road’s even dicier at night.”
As they rose to go, Noah turned to AJ. “Do you mind if I just take Bud out? It’ll be about five minutes.”
“Not at all,” said AJ, her heart pounding.
She said goodbye to Risa and Ned and watched in the mirror as Noah led them to the front door. As it closed, she sank back into the couch, listening to Noah’s footsteps recede into the kitchen.
Then all was silent, except for the ticking of the grandfather clock in the front hall.
Slowly AJ turned around and looked across the entryway. The dining room was empty. The vestibule was empty. The whole house was empty. She sat back and stared at the piano, her pulse keeping time with the second hand.
AJ was at Drew House, alone with Noah Drew.
As she listened for his footsteps, she wondered for the first time what Eudora possibly could have left her. Her personal volume ofNOW That’s What I Call Music! 4? One of her illustrious cashmere pieces?
She could hear Noah and Bud in the kitchen now; the dog barked happily as Noah fed her. Presently, the door swung open, and the familiar thud of Noah’s steps filled the vestibule.
