Entwined with You(28)

I frowned, my brain taking a second to latch on to what she was talking about. “Magdalene Perez?”


“Yep. That’s the one. What should I do?”


“Nothing.” I pushed to my feet. Unlike the last time Gideon’s friend-who-wished-she-were-more had come around, I was prepared to deal with her myself. “On my way.”


“Can I watch?”


“Ha! I’ll be there in a minute. This won’t take long, then we’ll head out to lunch.”


Vanity had me smearing on some lip gloss before I slung my purse over my shoulder and headed out front. Thinking of Gideon’s note put the smile on my face that greeted Magdalene when I found her in the waiting area. She stood when I came into view, looking so amazing I couldn’t help but admire her.


When I’d first met her, her dark hair had been long and sleek, like Corinne Giroux’s. Now, it was cut in a classic bob that showed off the exotic beauty of her face. She wore cream slacks and a black sleeveless shell that had a big bow tied at the hip. Pearls at her ears and throat completed the elegant look.


“Magdalene.” I gestured for her to return to her seat and took the armchair on the opposite side of the small conversation table. “What brings you here?”


“I’m sorry to barge in on you at work like this, Eva, but I was visiting Gideon and thought I’d stop here, too. I have something to ask you.”


“Oh?” I set my purse down beside me and crossed my legs, smoothing my burgundy skirt. I resented her for being able to spend time with my boyfriend openly when I couldn’t. There was no way around it.


“A reporter stopped by my office today, asking personal questions about Gideon.”


My fingertips curled into the cushion of the armrest. “Deanna Johnson? You didn’t answer her, did you?”


“Of course not.” Magdalene leaned forward, setting her elbows on her knees. Her dark eyes were somber. “She’s already talked to you.”


“She tried.”


“She’s his type,” she pointed out, studying me.


“I noticed,” I said.


“The type he doesn’t stick with long.” Her full red lips twisted ruefully. “He’s told Corinne that it’s best if they remain long-distance friends, rather than social ones. But I suspect you know that.”


I felt a ripple of pleasure over that news. “How would I know?”


“Oh, I’m sure you have ways.” Magdalene’s eyes sparkled with knowing amusement.


Oddly, I found myself at ease with her. Maybe because she seemed so at ease with herself, which hadn’t been the case the previous times we’d crossed paths. “Seems like you’re doing good.”


“I’m getting there. I had someone in my life who I thought was a friend but was really just toxic. Without him around, I can think again.” She straightened. “I’ve just started seeing someone.”


“Good for you.” In that respect, I wished her only the best. She’d been horribly used by Gideon’s brother, Christopher. She didn’t know I knew. “I hope it works out.”


“Me, too. Gage is different from Gideon in a lot of ways. He’s one of those brooding artist types.”


“Deep souls.”


“Yes. Very deep, I think. I hope I get to find out for sure.” She stood. “Anyway, I don’t mean to keep you. I was worried about the reporter and wanted to discuss her with you.”


I corrected her as I rose. “You were worried about me discussing Gideon with the reporter.”


She didn’t deny it. “Bye, Eva.”


“Bye.” I watched her exit through the glass doors.


“That didn’t look too bad,” Megumi said, joining me. “No scratching or hissing.”


“We’ll see how long it lasts.”


“Ready for lunch?”


“I’m starved. Let’s go.”


WHEN I walked in my front door five and a half hours later, Cary, my mom, and a dazzling silver Nina Ricci formal gown laid out on the sofa greeted me.


“Isn’t it fantastic?” my mother gushed, looking fantastic herself in a fifties-style fitted dress with cap sleeves and a pattern of tiny cherries. Her blond hair framed her beautiful face in thick, glossy curls. I had to hand it to her; she could make any era look glamorous.


I’d been told my whole life that I looked just like her, but I had my father’s gray eyes instead of her cornflower blue, and my abundant curves were from the Reyes side. I had a butt no amount of exercise would rid me of and breasts that prevented me from wearing anything without a lot of support. It still amazed me that Gideon found my body so irresistible when he’d previously been drawn only to tall, slender brunettes.


Dropping my bag and purse on a bar stool, I asked, “What’s the occasion?”


“A shelter fund-raiser, a week from Thursday.”


I looked at Cary for confirmation that he’d be escorting me. His nod allowed me to shrug and say, “Okay.”