Can't Look Away(100)
Michael laughs. “I have a four-year-old niece. I’m well aware of the Frozen phenomenon.”
“As you can see, you’re now in Frozen land.” Molly gestures to the setup around them. Dozens of blue, white, and silver balloons are secured all around the fence, Pin the Nose on Olaf is set up against the side of the pool house, and several children already swarm the Frozen-inspired cookie decorating station. Becky has even secured a pair of felt antlers to Bodie, turning him into Sven for the afternoon. “The theme is ‘Frozen in August.’ Hunter thought that was cute.”
“I’m impressed, Molly,” Sage observes, glancing around.
“Oh my god!” Nina exclaims, staring across the pool. “Look at our girl.” She’s watching Stella, who is dressed in a glittery blue ball gown and cape, her pale blond hair pulled back into a single braid. “Where did that perfect little Elsa costume come from?”
“Fifteen bucks at Party City.” Molly grins. “And I’m amazed you know who Elsa is.”
“No, Michael’s niece is actually obsessed. We spent a week with her on the Jersey Shore, and I had no choice but to learn the entire cast of characters.”
“Holy shit,” Liz gasps, her gaze fixed to the driveway. “Is that Jake Danner?”
In the chaos of everything that’s unfolded over the past few weeks—the embryo transfer, kissing Jake at Skipping Beach, the discovery of Lenore Smith, the positive pregnancy test, prepping for Stella’s birthday—Molly has nearly forgotten that she’d invited Jake and Sabrina to the party.
Everly’s jaw drops to the ground, followed by Nina’s. “Wait. You invited him?”
The brief window of time Molly has to explain is closing too quickly as Sabrina and Jake ascend the steps in their direction. Jake wears khaki shorts and a blue button-down that matches his eyes. Beside him, Sabrina looks irritatingly perfect in a white smocked maxi dress that flaunts her figure and tanned supermodel arms. A saccharine smile breaks across her face, revealing those straight, bleached teeth. She carries an oversized present wrapped in glossy white paper and a pink ribbon.
“Molly, you look stunning. As always.” Sabrina leans forward to peck Molly’s cheek, her voice oozing with an insincerity that perhaps only Molly can detect. “What a beautiful day. Here. A little something for the birthday girl.”
Molly accepts the gift, forcing a grin. “You’re so nice to come. These are my friends from New York, Everly, Nina, and Liz. And Ev’s wife, Sage, and Nina’s fiancé, Michael. All, this is Sabrina Danner. And you know her husband, Jake. Small world.”
Molly can feel Jake staring at her, and she wishes so badly that he’d stop doing that in public. They haven’t spoken since the beach, since Molly pulled away from the warmth of his body and leaped out of his car in a confused, guilt-ridden frenzy. She hasn’t replied to any of the texts he sent afterward.
Nina flashes a wide grin, her trademark enthusiasm working its magic. “Wow! Jake Danner, blast from the past.”
Liz’s smile drops. She points at Sabrina. “Wait. I know you.”
No one speaks. Sabrina’s face turns pale, her cheery disposition vanishing.
“Caroline … no … Katie. No. Caitlin!” Liz exclaims. “Caitlin, that’s it.” She emits a sound that’s more a scoff than a laugh. “You’re married to Jake now? You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“What’s going on?” Jake’s eyes dart to Liz. “How do you know Sabrina?”
“You mean Caitlin?”
“Huh?” He folds his arms.
“She told me her name was Caitlin. When she was your groupie.”
“My groupie?”
Liz cocks her head, studying Sabrina intensely, her lips parted in bewilderment. “What the actual fuck?”
Sabrina shrugs, but she looks tense, her gaze growing cold. “You must be confusing me with someone else.”
“No, don’t play that game. I know exactly who you are. You used to follow me around Equinox and ask me about Molly and Jake.”
Sabrina’s eyes narrow. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She scowls, glancing toward the bar. “Jake and I are going to get a drink. Excuse me. It was nice to meet you all.”
Jake rubs the back of his neck, staring after his wife, then back at Liz. He looks thoroughly baffled. He gives an uncomfortable shrug, then follows Sabrina.
Molly watches them walk away, then whips her head around. “Liz. What the hell?”
“Molly.” Liz turns to her. She looks like she’s been socked in the stomach. “I know this sounds crazy, especially because we haven’t seen each other in a million years, and I owe you a thousand apologies, but I’m not making this up. That woman—Jake’s wife—she … how do I explain this?” Liz gives her a head a little shake. “She used to go to my gym. We would take Pilates together and sometimes get drinks after, and she said her name was Caitlin. She was, like, a Danner Lane fangirl. Obsessed with Jake. I mentioned the fact that one of my best friends was his girlfriend, and she used to ask me about your relationship.”
“Are you serious, Lizzie?” Nina brings a hand to her mouth.
“No. Wait, Liz.” Molly chews her bottom lip, her mind spinning. “Sabrina wasn’t a Danner Lane fangirl. She dated Jake before I did. Remember Jake’s ex, Sisi?”