to get their hands dirty cleaning up a mess like Nathan.
We had more than one motive - the blackmail and revenge for what he'd done to me - and means, and means gave us the opportunity.
* * *
I brushed my hair again and splashed water on my face, all the while thinking of how I was going to get my mom out of my apartment undetected.
When I found her digging through the closet in my bedroom - concerned as always about my style and appearance - I knew what to do.
"Remember that skirt I picked up at Macy's?" I asked her.
"The green one?" "Oh, yes.
Very pretty."
"I haven't been able to wear it, because I can't think of anything I have to go with it.
Can you help me find something?" "Eva," she said, exasperated.
"You should've established a personal style by now - and it shouldn't be sweats!" "Help me out, Mom.
I'll be right back."
I took my coffee mug with me to have a purpose for leaving her.
"Don't go anywhere."
"Where would I go?" she replied, her voice muffled because she'd stepped deeper into my walk-in closet.
I did a quick check of the living room and kitchen.
My dad was nowhere to be seen and his bedroom door was closed, as was Cary's.
I hurried back into my room.
"How's this?" she asked, holding up a champagne-hued silk blouse.
The combination was gorgeous and classy.
"I love it! You rock! Thank you.
But I'm sure you have to go now, right? I don't want to hold you up."
My mom frowned at me.
"I'm not in a hurry."
"What about Stanton? This has got to be weighing on his mind.
And it's a Saturday - he always reserves his weekends for you.
He needs to have the time with you."
And God, did I feel awful for his stress.
Stanton had spent a great deal of his time and money on issues pertaining to me and Nathan over the four years he'd been married to my mother.
It was too much to ask of anyone, but he'd come through for us.
For the rest of my life, I would owe him for loving my mother so much.
"This is weighing on your mind, too," she argued.
"I want to be here for you, Eva.
I want to support you."
My throat tightened, understanding that she was trying to make amends for what had happened to me because she was unable to forgive herself.
"It's okay," I said hoarsely.
"I'll be okay.
And honestly, I'd feel terrible keeping you away from Stanton after all he's done for us.
You're his reward, his little piece of heaven at the end of an endless workweek."
Her lips curved in an enchanting smile.
"What a lovely thing to say."
Yes, I'd thought so, too, the times Gideon had said similar things to me.
It seemed impossible that only a week before, we'd been at the beach house, madly in love and taking firm, sure steps forward in our relationship.
But now that relationship was broken, and now I knew why.
I was angry and hurt that Gideon had kept something as monumental as Nathan being in New York hidden from me.
I was furious that he hadn't talked to me about what he was thinking and feeling.
But I understood, too.
He was a man who'd avoided talking about anything personal for years and years, and we hadn't been together long enough for that lifetime habit to change.
I couldn't blame him for being who he was, just as I couldn't blame him for deciding that he couldn't live with what I was.
With a sigh, I went to my mom and hugged her.
"Having you here .
it's what I needed, Mama.
Crying and laughing and just sitting with you.
Nothing could be more perfect than that.
Thank you."
"Really?" She hugged me tightly, feeling so small and delicate in my arms, even though we were the same size and her heels made her taller.
"I thought you were going crazy."
I pulled back and smiled.
"I think I did for a little bit, but you brought me back.
And Stanton is a good man.
I'm grateful for all he's done for us.
Please tell him I said so."
Linking my arm with hers, I grabbed her clutch from my bed and led her to the front door.
She hugged me again, her hands stroking up and down my back.
"Call me tonight and tomorrow.
I want to make sure you're doing okay."
"All right."
She studied me.
"And let's plan on a spa day next week.
If the doctor doesn't approve of Cary going, we'll have the technicians come here.
I think we could all use a little pampering and polish right now."