Mollified, she turns toward me. “And what do you do in the city?”
“I work for an advertising firm.” I realize that I have absolutely no desire to talk about my job. “It’s a demanding job. Lots of big clients.”
Jack cuts in. “So what’s the deal with that Cranberry guy? Is he coming back?”
Some of Jennifer’s airiness disappears as she slams her wine glass onto the table. “Jack Alexander Carter.”
I claw at the tablecloth. “I’m not sure, honestly.”
He barks at her. “This concerns the whole town, Ma. That guy could’ve gotten someone killed.”
My face burns as everyone turns to look at me. “He’s an ex, but his family is pretty powerful.”
“How come I’ve never heard of them before?”
“Because you’ve never stepped outside of Fair Oaks. Shut the hell up.”
The table shakes as Jennifer slams her fist. “You’re embarrassing me in front of our guest!”
Jack looks slightly cowed, but Gage’s hands are still clenched.
“I filed a police report, but Brenda didn’t want to press charges,” Chris interjects. “He probably paid her off.”
I nod glumly at my plate of food, the desire to eat vanishing. It’s one thing to have the whole town buzzing about my ex making a complete ass of himself, it’s quite another to be quizzed about it at dinner.
A ringing sound interrupts Gage’s retort as Jennifer lightly taps her wine glass with her fork. “I’d like to make a toast,” she begins, smiling at Gage and me. “For my son finally waking up and finding himself a good woman to have a baby with. Congratulations!”
Jack raises his with a smirk. “Yeah, congrats, bro. Your boys can swim!” He flies forward as Chris cuffs the back of his head.
Jennifer glowers at him. “Another word from you, and I’ll pour this over your head.” The cheery smile reappears. “Raise your glasses, everyone!”
They all follow suit, Jack with a mocking grin.
“I’m going to kill you after this,” Gage mutters under his breath.
“Are you forgetting that I beat you at everything?” Jack hisses back.
“To Gage and Olivia!”
Cheeks burning slightly, I raise my glass with theirs. They clink together, and then every sips to the toast. My lips touch the rim of my drink, and then suddenly—
BOOM BOOM BOOM!
A fist knocks at the door, pounding insistently. Jennifer stands in surprise, dumping her napkin on the table.
Puzzled, Gage glances at the door. “Is someone late to dinner?”
“I didn’t invite anyone. I bet it’s George again. That man’s got to learn not to go knocking on people’s doors after seven…” she trails off as she heads into the hallway.
The door opens, and there’s a voice I can’t quite distinguish. An older woman. Then two pairs of footsteps walk toward us. Jennifer’s normally round, cheerful face is drawn tight with anxiety as she walks into the room.
She looks at me. “Olivia, dear. You better get up. There’s someone to see you.”
“We’re eating,” Gage says impatiently. “Tell them to come back later.”
“I tried, but she insisted on—ah—here she is.”
My fork clatters on my plate as I recognize Mrs. Cranbury.
Nine
Olivia
She’s actually here. In Fair Oaks. I wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t recognize her oddly smoothed face and the plastic surgery that gave her a permanently squinted look. Her plump lips, no doubt injected with collagen, purse slightly as she fixes her narrow gaze on me. To complete her frigid image, she wears a skin-tight coal-gray dress and a broad sun hat. A massive handbag swings from her side. Her hair is flat-ironed straight, and it brushes her bronzed shoulders.
“I’m very sorry to interrupt your dinner. I was just wondering if I could borrow Olivia for a quick chat. You wouldn’t mind, would you?”
Caught off guard, Jennifer stammers. “Of course not. You’re welcome to join us, if you like.”
Oh, God no.
Evelyn Cranbury laughs softly. I don’t know whether it’s from all the surgeries, but she barely seems to move her mouth. “That’s kind of you, but I don’t want to intrude any more than I have.”
Gage stands with me, glowering at her, but I place a shaking hand over his arm. “It’s fine.” The others stare back at me with worried expressions. “Fine.”
Then I walk toward one of the most powerful women I know, hoping like hell she’s not here for the reason I think she is.
“Lovely,” she says dryly as I join her. “I’ll just take a minute or two of your time.”
I follow her as she heads outside, which seems stifling hot despite the trees giving me ample shade. Evelyn’s courteous smile vanishes