She’s thoughtful for a moment before answering. "I have my theories. Our parents don’t really get along. I’m not even sure they like each other. My mom actually had an affair at one point—which, that’s not a secret, everybody knows—but they only split up for a little while and then got back together. For…no reason that I can ascertain. So, needless to say, neither myself nor Nate had many healthy relationships modeled for us when we were growing up.”
“Ouch. Although honestly, I can relate,” I say sympathetically. “I’m sorry you went through that.”
She waves me off. “It’s fine. Anyway. We’ve never really discussed it, but I think my brother is terrified of falling into the same trap. Getting stuck in a marriage to someone that he doesn’t like all that much. Plus, it’s not like he's had any real relationships. Women throw themselves at him all the time, but it isn’t because they have any interest in his personality. They just think he’s hot and rich. But I knew right away that you're not like that."
I blink, not sure what to say.
"Seriously. I saw how reluctant you were to spend my brother's money on those shoes. A gold digger wouldn't feel that way. And plus, if you were only in this for his money, you wouldn't be teaching five-year-olds how to dance and stuffing your purse full of wet wipes."
She's right. Most of the young women in our respective social circles don't have jobs or career aspirations. Theyvolunteer, sure, but mostly just by signing their names to big checks in order to get their name on a plaque. I don't know what to say. I feel like Eliza has a canny ability to see right through people. Is she going to be able to tell that my relationship with her brother is fake?
"I've never seen my brother look at a woman the way he looks at you,” she adds.
Eliza tips her face up with a smile. This revelation takes me completely off guard. I have to play along and make this seem effortless, like Nate and I really are living a happy life together completely steeped in love and affection.
"That's nice to hear," I say. “Especially considering that we’re cohabitating.”
She laughs. "I’m glad you’re with him. Nate needs somebody to keep him grounded. Sometimes I'm afraid he might turn out like our dad. All work, all business. No vacations, no hobbies, no fun."
She looks like she's about to ask me something. I see her struggle to hold back whatever words want to come out, and I'm glad when she ends up saying nothing, because I'm still riding the high of what she said to me before. That Nate has never looked at another woman the way he looks at me. It feels so validating, as if everything that's occurring between us is real and not just in my imagination.
Her phone rings again. Looking irritated, she pulls it from her purse, grumbles something and clenches it tightly in her hand.
"I need to take this. Do you mind?"
"Of course not. I’ll just pop in here. Join me when you're ready."
I have no idea what store I'm about to enter, but Iquickly realize it's a massive home décor store—ABC Carpet and Home. The place is gorgeous, a bohemian paradise full of global rugs, furniture, antiques, and handmade goods. It’s the kind of place I used to love wandering around for half a day, picking out heavenly fifty-dollar designer candles and minimalist gold jewelry and shibori cloth throw pillows. I can’t remember the last time I stepped foot inside.
The glass front doors are propped open to let in the warm breeze, and as I peruse a table laden with hand-etched crystal in botanical designs, I realize that Eliza is standing off to the side of the wood-paneled entryway alcove of the 1800s building, because she’s close enough that her words are echoing back to me.
"I told you to stop calling me. What if my brother finds out?" she hisses.
The back of my neck prickles. Eliza's voice drops lower.
"I said I will catch up with you later. No, he doesn't suspect anything. Why? You were the one acting guilty at dinner the other night. You didn't have to run out of there like that. If he did suspect anything, it would be on you!”
That’s when it hits me. Who was in the restaurant when we arrived?
"Don't call me again. I'll text you when it's safe."
Little sparks dance across my scalp.Theo?
Oh my God! Is Nate's little sister having a fling with his business partner?
Afraid she's going to catch me eavesdropping, I scurry deeper inside the store and pretend to be browsing a selection of stained-glass Moroccan lamps. When Elizafinally catches up to me, her face is flushed and some of the light is gone from her eyes.
I clear my throat and force myself to keep my composure even though I’m dying to get her to spill the truth. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah, fine. Looking for a new lamp?"
No, I'm looking for intel on whatever's going on between her and Theo.
I tuck this little tidbit away. Who knows when I might need to use it in the future?
28
PIPER-LILY
