“Well, first, parties are fun.” Hannah smirked at her sister’s reflection. “At least,mostpeople think so.”
Evangeline laughed.
“Second, Charlene’s intimidating and I like having you with me when I have to face her.”
Five years earlier, Hannah’s dad had married an up-and-coming D.C. socialite. Since then, Charlene Caraway had become a powerhouse in all the prominent social circles. She knew everyone and everyone adored her.
“I thought she’d become your pal since you got pregnant.”
“Shehasbeen really sweet,” Hannah agreed. “She had that crib delivered last week, but then she smacked me down with a snide remark that she’d send someone over to put it together for me…being that I’m a woman and all.”
A snarl curled Evangeline’s lip. “We don’t need no stinkin’ man to assemble a crib.”
Despite their laughter, sadness flashed across her sister’s face. “I’m so glad you’re back in town.”
“Me, too, honey.”
Together, they walked downstairs.
As Evangeline slipped into her coat, she said, “I know you love telling people I’m an FBI agent, but—”
“No worries. I’ll say ‘federal employee’.” Hannah ran her fingers through her wispy bangs.
“If I tell them I work in the Human Trafficking Division, they have a zillion questions.”
“Don’t you want to increase awareness?”
“Wrong environment. Plus, you know I like to keep things chill.” Evangeline held out Hannah’s coat for her. “Flying below the radar is more my style. I catch the bad guys and celebrate with the cheapest bottle of vodka I can find.”
With a smile, Hannah wrapped a scarf around her neck. “I’ll just redirect the conversation.”
“Best sister, ever.”
Forty minutes later, Evangeline drove into the Caraways’ posh Chevy Chase neighborhood and parked in the large, circular driveway of their estate.
“I can’t remember,” Hannah said as she exited Evangeline’s SUV. “What’s our signal when one of us is ready to leave?”
“I’ve got a wedding tonight, so I’ve gotta roll out by three, latest.”
“Right. You’re going to the wedding of the decade. I’m so jealous.”
“I’ll take a ton of pics for you.”
“Do you think Trevon will be there?”
Evangeline’s heart dropped. Hannah’s boyfriend had ghosted on her before she could tell him the big news. “I doubt it. Self-made billionaires like Colton Mitus and Brigit Farnay don’t hang with too many government accountants.” She slipped her hand through the crook of her sister’s arm and they walked into one of the most opulent homes in suburban Maryland.
A mammoth crystal chandelier hung in the entryway. Gold ornaments dangled from the twelve-foot Christmas tree illuminating the two-story foyer. The house was packed with guests. Everyone wore their best duds and biggest smiles because this wastheparty to attend.
But Evangeline had zero interest in rubbing noses with the elite or kissing up to the politicos and power players. She’d agreed to go for two reasons. One, her sweet sister had asked, and two, to savor a free top-shelf vodka. For that, she’d suffer through the idle chitchat and irrelevant small talk.
They dropped their coats on the stiff arm of a man who seemed way too happy to be taking them.Charlene must be paying these guys a fortune.Moseying around partygoers, they made their way through the living room and dining room in search of Hannah’s dad. They found him in the kitchen, surrounded by his usual posse of ass kissers.
Birdwell Caraway spotted his only daughter, lit up with a smile, and broke from the group. During the time he’d been Evangeline’s stepdad, he’d figured out pretty quickly that Evangeline wasn’t looking for a replacement. She liked herrealdad just fine. Despite his short marriage to their mom, he’d done okay by Hannah in the long run.
He hugged his only child. “How are you feeling, dear?”
“I’m good.”
