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Natalie looked back and forth between them, clearly astounded. “So this is why Chris hasn’t been complaining that you followed her to California?”
“That’s why.” He rubbed Eva’s back affectionately. “I’m still here.”
“Well.” Natalie turned to glance at Eva as if she’d never seen her before. “Congratulations.”
Congratulations? Now Eva felt like sticking out her tongue. It was totally unlike her to be jealous like this, feel inadequate like this. She was a smart, successful businesswoman—attractive, friendly, fun to be with and...
Why was she even having to give herself this pep talk?
She looked back and forth between Natalie and Ames, and the answer hit her.
Because Natalie and Ames would make a natural and stunning couple. Because they matched, complemented each other, would turn heads wherever they went, have kids perfect enough to star in commercials. Natalie was all the reasons Ames had been pursuing Chris.
The heads turning when she and Ames walked by would be thinking, What does he see in Miley Cyrus?
“Well, I have to get going.” Natalie glanced at her watch and rose gracefully. “I have a client meeting at three across town.”
Tom shot to his feet. “It’s pouring out. I have a car, I can drive you.”
She checked the streaming shop window, then turned to him in amazement, all her sex kitten artifice gone. In Eva’s opinion she was ten times more appealing. “Across town? You’d do that?”
“Why not?”
“No, I’m... I mean, that’s fine, if you’re sure. In fact, it would be really great.” She looked curiously at him as if she couldn’t understand how a guy could actually be nice to her. “Thank you, Tom.”
They walked out, Tom opening the door to the shop for her, then turning back to give Eva and Ames a surreptitious thumbs-up.
Eva returned the gesture, then arched a brow proudly at Ames. “I did that. They’re going to a concert together, too.”
“Natalie and Tom?” Ames gaped at her. “Are you serious?”
Eva sent him the evil eye. “Why not?”
“Well, she’s so... I mean, and he’s so...” He looked supremely uncomfortable.
“Uh...” Eva pointed between herself and Ames. “What are you saying, exactly?”
“Nothing.” He grinned and pulled her in for a kiss. “I just realized I’m not saying anything at all.”
“You are a very smart man.” She got to her feet and offered her hand. “So smart that you are going shopping with me for the rest of the afternoon, and then we’re coming back to decorate the—”
“I wondered why you were closing. I can’t, I’m sorry.” He looked sincerely regretful. “I have a meeting at three-thirty.”
“Why don’t you check your calendar?” She smiled sweetly. “Maybe the meeting got rescheduled.”
Ames stared suspiciously and dug out his cell.
Eva looked over at the wall and counted bricks. Dum-dee-dum-dum.
“Rescheduled.” He folded his arms, glaring at her. “What did you do?”
“Me? Nothing. Not a thing. Except have a short conversation with Jean asking about your calendar this afternoon. What she did after that she did alone.”
He sighed with exaggerated misery. “You realize what this means.”
“You get to spend the afternoon with me instead of talking to annoying people?”
“Life is so unfair.”
She grinned and volunteered him to help her and Ben close. Outside, the rain was letting up, though a chilly, damp wind blew leaves and the occasional crumpled paper or cup down the avenue.
Eva pulled out a list of thrift shops. “Let’s do this thing.”
Three hours later, they were back, pulling up in a loaded taxi outside the store.
“That was fabulous!” Totally energized by their success, Eva managed to beat Ames to paying the driver—not easy, he was a quick draw with his wallet. They emerged onto the curb.
Ames groaned, putting a hand to his back. “I’m exhausted.”
“You need to work on your shopping muscles.”
“I need to work on my food consumption. I’m starving.”
