Can't Look Away(91)

“No, I know what you mean,” Molly says sincerely, because she does, and because that’s the last thing she thinks about Whitney. She’s unlike Meredith and Edie and Betsy in that way. “Supposedly, they only joined because Sabrina’s grandparents were very involved at the club. They used to live in Flynn Cove.”

“Is that what Sabrina said?”

Molly nods.

“That doesn’t make any sense.” The lines between Whitney’s eyebrows sharpen in confusion.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, George and I are on the board, so I see every application that comes through.” Whitney’s fingers are clenched around the stroller’s handlebar, gently pushing it back and forth. “If Sabrina’s grandparents had been members, that definitely would’ve been noted on her application.”

“Seriously?” Molly leans her forearm against the base of the open window. “Her grandparents weren’t members?”

Whitney shakes her head. “No. I mean, if they had been, the Danners wouldn’t have needed a letter of recommendation, let alone one from Meredith.”

“Meredith wrote them a letter of recommendation?”

“Yeah. Apparently, they have a mutual friend—a former colleague of Sabrina’s from the city who introduced her to Meredith when they moved out here.”

“Huh. But why would she…” Molly’s voice trails. She is thoroughly baffled. Why didn’t Sabrina mention having a mutual friend with Meredith? And why would she lie about her grandparents having been members? “That’s so weird.”

Whitney frowns. “Look, maybe there was some misunderstanding between you guys, but if Sabrina’s grandparents had belonged to the club, trust me, I would know.”

Despite the August heat, Molly’s arms suddenly prickle with goose bumps.

One of the twins fusses in the stroller, and Whitney reaches into the bassinet. “Shh, Chlo, it’s okay.” She looks up at Molly. “I should get these babes home; they’re due for a feeding. God knows I’ve got to keep them on some semblance of a schedule if there’s any hope for my own sleep!”

Molly smiles passively, her mind elsewhere. “Of course. Well, it was great to see you, Whit. You look great. And the girls are precious.”

“So great to see you, Moll. Let’s get a walk on the books soon, have a real catch-up. Or you and Hunter come over for a drink. I’ll text you.”

“I would love that. Say hi to George.”

Molly waves goodbye to her friend and puts the car in drive. An eerie feeling wobbles through her as she turns onto Woodson Road and into the Danners’ driveway. She could turn around, but she doesn’t. Despite what Whitney has told her, Molly still feels an unshakable urge to see Sabrina.

Thankfully, there’s no sign of Jake’s Jeep, as she hoped would be the case on a weekday morning. She parks her car and strides up the slate walk, past the immaculately trimmed hedges and garden beds toward the front of the house before she can change her mind. She rings the bell, and Sabrina opens the door moments later. When she sees Molly, her face falls.

“Molly.” She wears jean shorts and a sleeveless embroidered blouse, her dark hair pulled back into a low pony. “I was just heading out.”

“Can I come in? Just for a sec?” Molly brushes past her and into the foyer. She feels brazen and—even though she’s technically the guilty one—annoyed. “Sabrina.” Molly folds her arms. “Did I do something to piss you off?”

Sabrina stares at the floor. Her toes are perfectly pedicured, the color of rubies. “No,” she says eventually, lifting her head.

“You haven’t replied to any of my texts.”

“I’ve just been busy. Sorry.”

“With what?” Molly studies Sabrina’s face. Her eyes are naked, free of the heavy mascara and liquid liner she usually wears. Without makeup, she looks tired and much younger.

“Life. House projects. Fertility stuff, mostly.” Sabrina latches her gaze to Molly’s—a shock of green that betrays nothing. “Summers are always crazy. I’m sorry we haven’t gotten together. We’re overdue.”

Molly feels unsettled in Sabrina’s presence, almost sick to her stomach. The woman standing in front of her isn’t the same person she knew two weeks earlier, the fast friend she bonded with like they’d known each other forever.

Whitney’s words play in her mind. If Sabrina’s grandparents had belonged to the club, trust me, I would know.

“We’re heading to Martha’s Vineyard tomorrow,” Sabrina says. “We aren’t back until the following Friday. Maybe dinner the weekend of the twentieth?”

“You’re gone two whole weeks?” Molly fails to mask her surprise, but she’s caught off guard. It seems strange that Jake never mentioned they were going out of town for a while. But maybe it isn’t strange at all. God, why does she even care?

“Ten days.” Sabrina eyes her curiously. Her voice is thin, clipped. “Jake and I have rented a house on the Vineyard every summer for the past few years.”

“Oh. Fun. Well, the twentieth is actually Stella’s birthday. She’ll be six.”

“How exciting.”

“We’re having a party at Hunter’s mom’s house. I told—” Molly swallows. “I was going to invite you guys. Stella, specifically, asked if you’d come.”