her Mojito. “It’s the same…” She shrugged again. “It’s just the same. You must be missing your mom now that you’re home, surrounded by her things. How’s your OCD?”
“Nika!”
“What? We all know you have it. Or a touch of it anyway.”
All, meaning Nika and Caleb. Did they discuss Eva’s tendency to…tweak things? She would have felt attacked but couldn’t when she remembered putting off her shower today so she could rearrange the toiletries under the bathroom sink. Labels out, large bottles in the back, small in the front, fat bottles next to fat, narrow next to narrow, none of them actually touching.
She sighed and took a drink of her Cosmo before changing the subject. “By the way, I sort of met someone last night.”
Nika’s head whipped away from where she’d been checking out the dance floor. “What does that mean? Like you met…someone?” Her expression was alive with curiosity.
Eva nodded, picturing Gabriel. “Nika…” She hesitated, not sure what to even say about the man who’d made her want to end a twenty-three-year chastity streak. “He was really, really something.” She peeked up from where she was tapping her nails together and was surprised to see a satisfied smile on her friend’s face.
“Finally,” she thought she heard Nika say before she asked more clearly, “Who is he?”
“Well, he’s actually the owner of the Crown Jewel. The hotel where the gala was held last night.”
“I know the Crown Jewel. Everyone in Seattle knows the Crown Jewel. Holy shit!”
Eva laughed. “Right?”
“How did you meet?”
She explained having seen Gabriel first in New York and then again last night. When she got to the part about it being Gabriel who’d intervened with her attacker, she could tell Nika instantly fell in love.
“Good man,” she said firmly. “And you saw him first in New York? So this is like kismet! How romantic! I can’t believe your time has finally come. I thought it never would. I’m so excited for you, hon. God, if anyone deserves some happiness—or even just a sweaty roll in the hay—it’s you.”
She took a gulp from her glass and kind of laughed. Could Nika know how lonely she’d been lately?
“Seriously, aside from your mom, and me and Caleb, you’ve never really had anyone else in your life to care about you the way you deserve.”
“Everyone deserves to have someone love them, Nika. Just because I didn’t grow up in a big family and have a ton of friends doesn’t mean I was deprived of anything. What I had was enough.” Until now.
“Oh, I know. I didn’t mean you missed anything, other than having a father. Just that you deserve more.”
Eva then shared the news about her new job and received the expected enthusiastic congratulations. Until the part about moving back to New York was revealed.
“Oh, come on! You just got home!” The panicked look on her friend’s face struck Eva right in the chest.
“I know. But it’s a great opportunity. Why don’t you come with me?” she pleaded, setting aside her now-empty glass. “Cut your losses here. I know—Caleb and I both know, even though you won’t admit it—that things aren’t going well for you. Talk to me, Nika. Please.”
Her friend’s gaze darted around the room as if the boogeyman were about to jump out at them. “I can’t. As much as I’d like to tell you everything.” She shook her head, her anxiety palpable. “I can’t. Just know that…shit. Listen, I’ll follow you as soon as I’m able. Now, please don’t ask me about my marriage anymore, because I won’t involve you. I just can’t. Not you or Caleb.” Her hand trembled as she raised her glass and drained the contents.
“Nika…you have tell—”
“No. Now promise me you’ll drop it. Promise me, Eva,” she stressed, her jaw tight.
“I…but…is he hur—”
“Eva! Promise. Me.”
“Okay, okay.” Even though she was loath to do so, Eva promised. “I won’t push anymore. Just…if I can help in any way, you know I’m here for you.”
“Of course I know that. I’ve always known that. You and my brother…” Nika’s smile was tender and a little too bright. “I just can’t involve you guys. Now let’s drop it and try to have a good time, okay?”
Eva nodded but wasn’t sure she’d be able to pull that off.
SEVEN
Gabriel stood at the bar in the packed nightclub, feeling as if someone had snuck up and ball-peened him in the temple without him noticing.
He, Alek, and Quan had arrived before the girls. And now here he stood, slack jawed, the pounding music