Book 1 - Page 91 (1/2)

”I left a few messages on your voice mail at home,” she said, in a voice that was cultured and smooth.

”Ah, I haven't been there much lately.” As if that reminded him I was next to him, he released her and drew me up to his side. ”Corinne, this is Eva Tramell. Eva, Corinne Giroux. An old friend.”

I extended my hand to her and she shook it.

”Any friend of Gideon's is a friend of mine,” she said with a warm smile.

”I hope that applies to girlfriends as well.”

When her gaze met mine, it was knowing. ”Especially girlfriends. If you could spare him a moment, I've been hoping to introduce him to an a.s.sociate of mine.”

”Of course.” My voice was calm; I was anything but.

Gideon gave me a perfunctory kiss on the temple before he stepped closer to Corinne and offered his arm to her, leaving Magdalene standing awkwardly next to me.

I actually felt sorry for her, she looked so dejected. ”Your new hairstyle is very flattering, Magdalene.”

She glanced at me, her mouth tight, and then it softened with a sigh that sounded filled with resignation. ”Thank you. It was time for a change. Time for many changes, I think. Also, there was no reason to imitate the one who got away now that she's back.”

I frowned in confusion. ”You lost me.”

”I'm talking about Corinne.” She studied my face. ”You don't know. She and Gideon were engaged, for over a year. She broke it off, married a wealthy Frenchman, and moved to Europe. But the marriage fell apart. They're now getting divorced and she's moved back to New York.”

Engaged. I felt the blood drain from my face, my gaze s.h.i.+fting to where the man I loved stood with the woman he must've once loved, his hand moving to the small of her back to steady her as she leaned into him with a laugh.

As my stomach twisted with jealousy and sick fear, it struck me that I'd a.s.sumed he had never had a serious romantic relations.h.i.+p before me. Stupid. As hot as he was, I should've known better.

Magdalene touched my shoulder. ”You should sit down, Eva. You're very pale.”

I knew I was breathing too fast and my speeding pulse rate was dangerously high. ”You're right.”

Moving to the nearest available chair, I got off my feet. Magdalene sat beside me.

”You love him,” she said. ”I didn't see it. I'm sorry. And I'm sorry for what I said to you the first time we met.”

”You love him, too,” I replied woodenly, my gaze unfocused. ”And at that time, I didn't. Not yet.”

”Doesn't excuse me, does it?”

I gratefully accepted another gla.s.s of champagne when it was offered to me and took a second for Magdalene before the waiter straightened to move on. We clinked gla.s.ses in a pitiful display of scorned female solidarity. I wanted to leave. I wanted to get up and walk out. I wanted Gideon to realize I'd left, to be forced to leave after me. I wanted him to feel some of the pain I felt. Stupid, immature, hurtful imaginings that made me feel small.

I took comfort from Magdalene sitting silently beside me in commiseration. She knew how it felt to love Gideon and want him too much. That I sensed she was as miserable as I was confirmed what a threat Corinne might be.