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“Do you want to go shopping?” Caroline asks, utterly unabashed by what she’s just said. “We can find you something gorgeous for this party. And for me too!”
“Sure,” Alessia responds.
“Great.” Caroline beams.
Caroline intimidates Alessia. On every level. But this friendly, happy Caroline is something new.
Alessia gulps down her coffee. “I’ll get my things.” She escapes into the spare bedroom to collect her jacket and handbag.
* * *
“Spare room? Don’t tell me you have separate beds already!” Caro scoffs. “Because you being half-dressed is not what that looks like.”
I give her an exaggerated sigh, irritated by her teasing. “No. Separate wardrobes.”
“Ah. Look, I get it. She’s a tempting little morsel, isn’t she?” She sounds wistful, and I cock my head in warning. “Oh, relax, Maxim. You’re newlyweds. You must be at it like rabbits.”
I rake a hand through my hair. “This is none of your fucking business. Where are you taking her?”
“Knightsbridge or Bond Street. I’m not sure yet. But I was thinking about what you said.”
“Oh?”
“About her being lonely.” Caroline glances down, avoiding eye contact. “I know how that feels. I have friends, but they were Kit’s friends too, and it’s extraordinary how grief has spirited them away.” Her face falls, and for a moment, she looks devastated.
“Oh, Caro. I’m sorry.” Without thinking, I reach out and hug her.
She gives me a watery, grateful smile. “Maybe I can forge a friendship with your wife.”
“I’d like that. I hope you do.”
* * *
Alessia watches their exchange from the hall. He does love his brother’s wife. His words are kind and sweet.
But not like he loves Alessia.
You are the world to me.
And he wants them to be friends. She sighs. For Maxim, she’ll try.
Alessia shoulders her bag and steps into the kitchen doorway, and they break apart. Not guiltily, because right now, they don’t have anything to feel guilty about, Alessia can see that, but still—she wishes that Caroline would keep her hands off her husband. “Shall we go?” she asks.
“Yes!” Caroline exclaims with an overexuberant enthusiasm.
“Don’t go crazy,” Maxim warns, and he leans down and kisses Alessia hard and fast on her lips.
“Of course we’re going to go crazy. It’s Dimitri’s party.” Caroline winks at Alessia once more, grabs her hand, and together they set out the door.
* * *
Alessia with Caroline. I’m not sure how I feel about this. I don’t want Caro upsetting Alessia again. Though she seemed genuinely remorseful after the last time, Caro is like the proverbial bull in a china shop regarding other people’s feelings. I hadn’t noticed before… before Alessia.
Hell.
Alessia can look after herself.
Can’t she?
The apprehension that’s become familiar since I lost Alessia reverberates in my chest, and I’m suddenly a little overwhelmed, standing in the echoing silence of my hallway. This is the first time I’ve been alone in the flat since Alessia went missing.
Shit. Mate.
Pull yourself together.
I drag out my phone and text Joe.
Bout?
Bro! The missus letting you out?
Mate!!!
My missus is shopping with Caro.
Sounds expensive!
I’ll grab my blade.
See you at the club.
* * *
Alessia closes her eyes as Jimmy, one of the young men at the beauty salon, massages conditioner into her hair. She’s shocked that most of the staff at the salon are men, and it’s the first time a man has washed her hair. She smirks. Technically, Maxim was the first man to wash her hair. But they were naked together in the shower. This experience is entirely different, and the strong-fingered young man gives a good massage. The sensation is blissful, and after a hectic morning, it’s a welcome respite from shopping with her full-on sister-in-law.
Caroline’s been more than friendly, chattering nonstop and offering her opinion on everything. She’s encouraged Alessia to buy two dresses—no, gowns—that were outrageously expensive.
Darling, you’ll have to get used to spending money. It’s all about quality, not quantity. These pieces are classic and will last you for years, and you look fabulous in both.
Alessia loves them, and she hopes Maxim does too.
Darling. He’ll love them!
She’s also bought matching high-heeled shoes and a little black Chanel evening bag.
These are perfect accessories for those frocks.
Afterward, they had a quick lunch at a champagne bar, where Caroline quizzed Alessia about her life in Albania.
Caroline was fascinated and continued her friendly interrogation at the salon while their finger and toenails were trimmed, shaped, and polished a bright scarlet.
But the truth is, Alessia feels indolent; this is not a life she ever aspired to—spending outrageous amounts on high-end fashion and grooming. But her apartment is spotless, Maxim’s and Alessia’s clothes clean and ironed… and now and again, a woman needs to spoil herself, or so says Caroline.
“Mmm.” She smiles, drifting off as Jimmy continues his massage and grateful for a few minutes’ peace.
* * *
“Mate, you are easy meat. Your game is way off. You okay?” Joe says as he tugs off his fencing mask, having scored the winning point.
