And she was smiling.
“Sure, no problem. Yes, I’ll see you tomorrow. Bye!” The sound of a phone dropping onto the bed. “Hey, Eva! You can stop eavesdropping now.”
D’oh! Eva stepped back into view. “Sorry. Just being nosy.”
“No kidding.” Natalie frowned, trying unsuccessfully to look her usual sour self.
“Well, then.” Eva folded her arms. “You might as well tell me who that was.”
She shrugged and climbed off the bed. “Tom. We were making arrangements for tomorrow.”
“Oh?”
Natalie narrowed her eyes. “What does that mean?”
“The Norah Jones concert’s not until Friday...”
“So?”
“So nothing.” Eva smiled sweetly. “See ya.”
She pretended to move on, then peeked quickly into the room again. Natalie had thrown herself on the bed, on her back this time, and was staring dreamily up at the ceiling. Her face collapsed into a scowl and she covered her face with her hands. Then something made her giggle and she was back to dreamy again.
“Ha!”
Natalie shrieked. “Jeez, you nearly gave me a heart attack. What is your problem?”
“You like this guy.” Eva pointed accusingly. “And you don’t know what to do about it.”
“What makes you think that?”
“He’s not your type.” She drew air quotes around the word. “Because he’s no one you could ever see yourself getting serious about, and then he turns out to speak your language and be incredibly sweet and wonderful and you’re completely turned upside down.”
Natalie was looking at Eva as if she’d shed her human skin and was showing alien. “What have you been smoking?”
“Well?” Eva refused to buy the cold-bitch act this time. “Am I right?”
“Humph. Possibly.” She couldn’t hide a smile. “But I am taking the man to my salon, and then shopping for decent glasses and clothes. I am not going to be seen with him looking like...he looks.”
Eva’s turn to roll her eyes, while dismay jabbed her. That hit a little close to home. Though at least Ames had been seen in public with her several times and hadn’t yet suggested she restyle her hair and shop at Brooks Brothers. “That is so deep!”
Natalie giggled. “Leave me alone. This is all your fault.”
“I know. I’m really sorry I caused you any happiness.” Natalie and Tom, score one for Eva! Her phone rang. She grinned and continued toward her bedroom to answer it.
“Hey, Chris. How’s things going out in sunny California?”
“Great! I’m loving it here.”
“Yeah?” She felt a little sick. Her sister better not be that high on anything having to do with Gus. “How did the second date with Gus go? Fabulous? Stupendous? He dazzled you with his intellect? He astounded you with his brilliant—”
“Stop. Now. Poor Gus. And no, our second date hasn’t happened yet. He keeps coming up with excuses.” She sounded exasperated. “I think I terrify him.”
“I’m sure you do. You have a brain.” Eva couldn’t stop smiling. “So can I say it yet?”
“No, you can’t say it.”
“Aw, c’mon, I earned it.”
“Okay, okay, you told me so. He is not a rocket scientist. But he is still absolutely delicious to look at. Now your turn—what’s going on with Ames? Can I say it yet?”
“Nope. You can’t.”
“Really?” Chris gasped. “Well, but...you guys aren’t actually dating, are you? I mean, you’re just hanging around, right?”
She sounded so incredulous Eva burst out laughing. “Yes! We are dating!”
“I can’t believe it.”
“It’s true. He’s great.”
“Jeez, never in a million years would I— Wait.” Her voice grew suspicious. “Did he invite you to the big client dinner?”
A twinge. “No.”
“Eva—”
“No, it’s fine. I don’t blame him, seriously. Can you see me there?” She forced a laugh. “Really, we’re just having a great time playing and being goofy and, I don’t know, just having fun.”