Eddy let go, his face falling with disappointment. “Sorry, I thought you were someone else.”
The woman offered a gentle smile. “It’s all right.”
Rebekah hurried after him, catching up just in time to see how pale Eddy looked.
“Rebekah, I’m not in the mood today. I’ll skip shopping with you.” His tone was bland, distant.
Rebekah didn’t try to persuade him, watching his hunched shoulders as he walked away. Her heart ached for him.
What kind of woman would willingly break the heart of a man who loves so deeply?
anything out just She trudged back to the counter, still upset. “Did my friend pick
now?”
“The very dress that young lady was trying on,” the sales assistant replied, nodding toward Blanche, who had just stepped out of the fitting room.
Blanche wore a misty gray dress, its subtle color making her fair skin gleam under the lights. Her wavy hair was loosely twisted up with a jade–green pin, a few strands falling softly behind her ear.
The dress fit her perfectly–slightly loose, never clingy, which gave her a graceful presence without being restrictive or fussy. She looked dignified and effortlessly elegant, untouched by the world’s dust.
Blanche’s features were gentle, yet strikingly refined. Her eyes danced as she glanced down at the dress and turned to Caleb beside her. “Does it look good?”
“Stunning! Absolutely gorgeous, Blanche!”
“Shh, just call me Blanche when we’re out in public,” she chided with a playful smile. “Is it appropriate for today’s visit?” she asked, smoothing the skirt.
“It’s perfect. More than perfect.” Caleb looked utterly entranced.
Blanche’s lips curved into a smile. “Then I’ll take it.”
“Miss McCarthy, this is the last one in stock. If you’d like, I can set it aside for you,” the assistant suggested.
08:043
“No need. She looks wonderful in it.” Rebekah didn’t hesitate. The thought of Eddy! buying that dress for his ex–wife–who had left him–still stung. Better to see someone as gracious as Blanche wear it with style.
With a final, lingering glance at Blanche, Rebekah left the vintage shop, feeling oddly wistful. She was sure she’d seen Blanche somewhere before–maybe in Novandria, where she’d studied. That was where she’d first met Eddy, after all.
Back home, Rebekah wandered into the living room, her mood still heavy.
“Who’s managed to upset our Miss McCarthy? Don’t tell me it’s that rising star from Novandria.” Leda Harvey emerged from the study in a soft ivory dress, carrying with her the faint scent of old books.
Leda’s delicate features and gentle poise brought a sense of calm. “Don’t frown, dear. You’ll get wrinkles.”
She settled beside Rebekah on the couch, peeled half an orange, and offered it to her.
Rebekah, reminded of Eddy by the mention, sighed miserably. “His heart’s still with that ex–wife who walked out on him. He doesn’t even spare me a glance.”
“Women chasing men–there’s barely any barrier. You’ve just got to go after what you want,” Leda advised with a knowing smile.
Rebekah scoffed. “Please. There are probably a dozen women chasing after a guy as good as him. That trick doesn’t work. Look at you–you’ve been after my brother for years, and now he’s marrying someone else.”
Leda’s smile faded, the piece of orange slipping from her hand and rolling onto the
floor.
“He’s getting married?”
the Rebekah didn’t notice. She assumed Leda just lost her grip, so she picked up orange and tossed it in the trash. “Yeah, my new sister–in–law is coming over for dinner tonight.”
She knew Leda had always liked her brother, but he’d never felt the same. Their mother always said you can’t force matters of the heart and hoped Leda would
move on soon.
Now that her brother was finally getting married, whether Leda wanted to let go or not, she’d have no choice.
Rebekah called up the staircase, “Mom, did you know my brother’s fiancée is
Chapter 19
coming to dinner tonight?”
“Has your brother called you yet?”
Chap
