money?
Charlotte had attempted to answer their litany of queries, mainly Sabrinaâs, but their thirst for the nitty-gritty details had been insatiable.
âWell, arenât you gorgeous?â Sabrina grinned broadly. Charlotte had speculated that Sabrina would be instantly envious of Allisonâs undeniable physical beauty. That she would view it almost as a personal affront. Charlotte had also speculated that, for that reason alone, Sabrina would be desperate to befriend Allison.
âYeah, right.â Allison sat down next to Charlotte on her tan Ultrasuede sofa, draping her gauzy orange-and-white-patterned maxidress over her tanned legs. âI swear I look better with a little makeup!â
âI was serious.â Sabrina nodded, visibly captivated by Allisonâs presence. âIf this is you without makeup, we better watch our husbands, ladies.â Charlotte widened her eyes at Sabrina. âWhat?â
âI love your dress!â Missy smiled.
âThanks.â Allison sliced a sliver of smoked Gouda and reached for a cracker.
âRichards?â Missy watched Allison covetously as she took a bite.
âExcuse me?â
âItâs a clothing store in Greenwich,â Charlotte explained. She felt inexplicably protective of Allison.
âThe
best
clothing store,â Missy elaborated.
âDefinitely not Richards, then.â Allison laughed breezily. âMore like Gap.â
âOh, you shop there for yourself?â Sabrina asked interestedly. âIâve never even looked in the adult section. I can barely get Gabriella to wear their pajamas anymore. Such a spoiled little thing. Iâll have to check it out.â
âIt was cheap and itâs easy to throw on. Canât go wrong with that combo, right?â
Charlotte hid a smile. Most people were intimidated by Sabrinaâs imposing personality, but not Allison.
âI suppose not.â Sabrina turned to Missy and Charlotte. âSo, as you guys know, Craig is out of town. Thank God.â
âJealous!â Missy affirmed. âIsnât it the best when they go away?â Her eyes locked with Charlotteâs and she looked down shamefully.
âThe best,â Sabrina acknowledged. âRight, Charlotte?â
âI guess.â She fidgeted with the stiletto charm dangling from the stem of her wineglass. Why was it such a challenge for these two to spare a little sensitivity?
âOh, please, just last week you were telling us how blissful it was without Charlie around. You said, and I quote, âIs it terrible that I want him to stay in Chicago for another week?ââ
âYou did say that.â Missy nodded.
âDoes anyone want more wine?â Charlotte shot up from the couch.
âMight as well.â Missyâs wineglass tottered between her fingers.
âIâll take a refill too,â Sabrina offered, clearly reluctant to relinquish control of the conversation.
âAllison, are you sure I canât get you anything other than water?â
âIâm fine with this for now, thanks.â
âAnyone home?â
Charlieâs voice reverberated from the entryway, followed by the thud of the front door and Lollyâs paws clambering down the marble staircase.
âWhatâs he doing here?â Sabrinaâs face warped into a guise of disbelief.
âHe said heâd be early, but . . .â Charlotte shrugged. Over the years, sheâd become accustomed to tacking on two hours to whatever time Charlie had sworn heâd be home. In thebeginning, heâd been effusively apologetic, often presenting her with a bouquet of white calla lilies, her favorite, as a peace offering. Though, as time had passed, her unadulterated desire to be with him as many hours and minutes of the day as humanly possible had been crushed by her drive to hold him accountable for every second he was delayed.
âHey, ladies.â Charlie
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