Entwined With You

COME TRUE.
X
    I held the card to my chest, wishing it were the writer I was holding instead. I was thinking about sprinkling rose petals on our bed when my desk phone rang. I wasn’t all that surprised when I heard my mother’s breathy bombshell voice on the other end.
    “Eva. Clancy talked to me. Please don’t be upset! You have to understand—”
    “I get it.” I opened my drawer and tucked Gideon’s precious note into my purse. “Here’s the thing: You don’t have Nathan as an excuse anymore. If you’ve got any more bugs or trackers or whatever in my stuff, you better fess up now. Because I promise you, if I find something else moving forward, our relationship will be irrevocably damaged.”
    She sighed. “Can we talk in person, please? I’m taking Cary out to lunch and I’ll just stay over until you get home.”
    “All right.” The irritation that had started prickling at me dissipated just as quickly as it had come up. I loved that my mother treated Cary like the brother he was to me. She gave him the maternal love he’d never had. And they were both so appearance- and fashion-conscious that they always had a blast together.
    “I love you, Eva. More than anything.”
    I sighed. “I know, Mom. I love you, too.”
    My other line flashed a call from reception, so I said good-bye and answered it.
    “Hey.” Megumi’s voice was low and hushed. “The chick who came by for you once before, the one you wouldn’t see, she’s here again asking for you.”
    I frowned, my brain taking a second to latch on to what she was talking about. “Magdalene Perez?”
    “Yep. That’s the one. What should I do?”
    “Nothing.” I pushed to my feet. Unlike the last time Gideon’s friend-who-wished-she-were-more had come around, I was prepared to deal with her myself. “On my way.”
    “Can I watch?”
    “Ha! I’ll be there in a minute. This won’t take long, then we’ll head out to lunch.”
    Vanity had me smearing on some lip gloss before I slung my purse over my shoulder and headed out front. Thinking of Gideon’s note putthe smile on my face that greeted Magdalene when I found her in the waiting area. She stood when I came into view, looking so amazing I couldn’t help but admire her.
    When I’d first met her, her dark hair had been long and sleek, like Corinne Giroux’s. Now, it was cut in a classic bob that showed off the exotic beauty of her face. She wore cream slacks and a black sleeveless shell that had a big bow tied at the hip. Pearls at her ears and throat completed the elegant look.
    “Magdalene.” I gestured for her to return to her seat and took the armchair on the opposite side of the small conversation table. “What brings you here?”
    “I’m sorry to barge in on you at work like this, Eva, but I was visiting Gideon and thought I’d stop here, too. I have something to ask you.”
    “Oh?” I set my purse down beside me and crossed my legs, smoothing my burgundy skirt. I resented her for being able to spend time with my boyfriend openly when I couldn’t. There was no way around it.
    “A reporter stopped by my office today, asking personal questions about Gideon.”
    My fingertips curled into the cushion of the armrest. “Deanna Johnson? You didn’t answer her, did you?”
    “Of course not.” Magdalene leaned forward, setting her elbows on her knees. Her dark eyes were somber. “She’s already talked to you.”
    “She tried.”
    “She’s his type,” she pointed out, studying me.
    “I noticed,” I said.
    “The type he doesn’t stick with long.” Her full red lips twisted ruefully. “He’s told Corinne that it’s best if they remain long-distance friends, rather than social ones. But I suspect you know that.”
    I felt a ripple of pleasure over that news. “How would I know?”
    “Oh, I’m sure you have ways.” Magdalene’s eyes sparkled with knowing amusement.
    Oddly, I found myself at ease with her. Maybe because she seemedso at ease with herself, which hadn’t been the case the previous times we’d crossed paths. “Seems like you’re doing good.”
    “I’m getting there. I had someone in my life who I thought was a friend but was really just toxic. Without him around, I can think again.” She straightened. “I’ve just started seeing someone.”
    “Good for you.” In that respect, I wished her only the best. She’d been horribly used by Gideon’s brother, Christopher. She didn’t know I knew. “I hope it works out.”
    “Me, too.