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After pulling in a deep breath, she made her way to the door without rushing. By the time she made it there, her heart was thumping against her chest. Cynthia was looking across the street when Anna finally opened the door. She turned around a puzzled expression marring her face.
“Hey, Cynthia. Come in.”
She hesitated but then stepped over the threshold. She was dressed perfectly for a Country Club meeting of white women. Seriously. Her blond hair was pulled back in a smooth twist. The diamonds in her ears had to be at least one carat a piece, and her makeup was light but accented her best features.
Her outfit complimented her slight curves, but the colors did nothing for her. If anything, they washed her out.Anna had never really noticed that Cynthia would look better in darker colors, like jewel tones.
In the last few days, Max and Anna had been talking a lot…more than usual. Cynthia had been a subject he hadn’t wanted to discuss, but Anna had insisted. She felt she needed to understand not only Max’s need to protect the woman from her father but also why Cynthia would rather marry a man who didn’t love her.
“I’m making some coffee if you don’t mind hanging out in the kitchen?”
“Of course not.”
Her voice was pitched perfectly not to cause alarm, but there was something so off about it. Shaking off that thought, Anna went about making the coffee.
“This is a nice space.”
It was the first time Anna had heard a hint of honesty in the woman’s voice. Like ever.
“Yeah, I love it. I love to cook.”
Cynthia eyed the long island with interest. Anna followed her gaze, then looked back at the other woman.
“Something wrong?”
She shook her head. “It would just be perfect for making things like croissants.”
Anna chuckled. “That is beyond my ability to bake.”
“They aren’t that hard. They just take a little time.”
Anna blinked. It was the first time in all the years she had known Cynthia that she had expressed any kind of interest in something.
“They take patience. I am better at cookies that take time but little patience,” Anna said.
Cynthia’s mouth twitched, then flattened as if she thought better of it. Good Lord, what the hell was wrong with her. It was almost like she was some kind of Stepford Wife.
“Why did you invite me here?”
“I thought we should clear the air.”
She cocked her head, studying Anna, confusion marring her features.
“Why?”
Anna sighed. “Max asked me the same thing. I just…well, I know there is a lot of gossip in town right now.”
Cynthia’s expression didn’t change, but she did straighten her spine. “Yes, well, I’m ignoring that.”
“And Max has been worried about you.”
With that, her expression softened. There was something about it, something Anna couldn’t put her finger on, that told her it was more of appreciation of Max, the man outside of any romantic notion.
“That’s Max. He worries a lot. I think that’s the biggest concern I had going into the marriage.” She snorted. “Excuse me. It just sounded weird.”
“Don’t be sorry. Seriously. I told him that you two were too much alike.”
Cynthia nodded. “And we didn’t love each other. I mean, there’s affection, but…” she sighed. She took a few seconds before saying, “I just felt lucky.”
