Using her key, she let herself in. As she dropped her coat and handbag on the sofa, voices floated from the kitchen.
Hannah sat at the table while Charlene pulled a roast from the oven and Joey opened a bottle of wine.This is just great.Dealing with Joey wasn’t bad enough, now she had to contend with Charlene.
Refusing to get swept away by the myriad of emotions cascading through her, she threw her shoulders back, fastened her gaze on her sister, and smiled.
“Yay, you made it.” Pushing out of the chair, Hannah padded over. Then, she eyed the bakery box and grinned. “You did not!”
Evangeline loved making her sister happy. “Your favorite.”
“This is the best surprise.” Hannah sliced off a sliver and tasted it. “Mmm, that is so good.”
“That was very sweet of you, Evangeline,” Charlene said, though she refused to look at her.
Joey held up a bottle of wine. “I should have brought sparkling cider, but I consider red wine to be the closest to Jesus’s blood.”
Dumbstruck by his inappropriate, inane comment, Evangeline just stared at him.
“I’ve been so busy today meeting with pastors,” he continued. “Everyone has been so warm and welcoming.”
“What exactly are you talking to them about?” Evangeline asked.
“Let’s eat,” Charlene interrupted. “The roast is hot.”
This time, Joey offered a toast instead of saying grace. “To a good New Year.”
Unimpressed, Evangeline sipped her water. During dinner, Charlene made small talk while Joey did his best to chime in.
“What’s new in the nursery?” Charlene asked when they’d finished eating.
While Hannah showed Charlene the baby’s room, Evangeline made a pot of coffee.
“Sounds like you’ll be staying in the area,” Evangeline said to Joey.
He sidled close and her skin crawled. “I’m finding the possibilityveryattractive.”
“You mentioned getting together,” she said, playing into his come-on. “Wanna grab a drink one night?”
Color flooded his cheeks. “I’d love to. What about Friday?”
“Sure, if you don’t mind sharing me with my dad.” She concocted a lie so she could end their evening early.
His shoulders dropped. “He’s coming with us?”
“We’re having a late supper, which means a can of soup and a peanut butter sandwich, but I’ve got time beforehand. How’s six?”
“That’ll work.”
“Got somewhere in mind?”Like a strip club on K Street?
“There’s a dive bar in Arlington that looks cool.”
Evangeline looked it up on her phone. “Mac’s on Lee Highway?”
As Joey peered over her shoulder, his strong cologne stung her nose and she sneezed. “That’s the one.”
She tapped the camera button and raised her phone. “How about a selfie?” She snapped a picture, but he turned away and all she captured was his blurry head. “You’re not camera shy, are you?”
“Social media plays into our sins.”
