When the elevator opened to the white-and-gold-tiled foyer of my apartment, I was conflicted. I stepped out of the elevator and put my purse on a table that probably cost more than the tuition of most four-year colleges.
Nothing in the apartment reflected my taste. It was ultramodern, mostly white, with splashes of color that jarred me every time I caught one out of the corner of my eye. He’d had it decorated for me, and I didn’t have the heart to tell him that the word “gaudy” came to mind every time I entered it.
As I looked around, I began to second-guess my decision to meet Eugenia at my place instead of hers. She was by far the wealthiest of the brides I’d worked for. She, the only child of a billionaire real estate developer from out west, had married Edward Thinsley, who was an entirely different kind of wealthy—old Boston money. When I’d first met her, I hadn’t understood why anyone with all that money would need to hire a bridesmaid, but when I stepped into her life, I found very little to envy. Her father was on his third wife. Her mother was on her second husband. Both were too busy to be bothered with planning their daughter’s wedding. Edward’s parents didn’t approve of Eugenia and yet wanted to be far more involved in deciding every detail of the wedding than any parent should be. Eugenia’s friends, if one could call them that, all seemed more concerned about what others thought of them than being there for Eugenia.
Hired bridesmaid? I was more than that. Hired friend, confidante, mediator, and keeper of the tissues for when Eugenia slipped away from the others to have a good cry. She loved Edward, but there wasn’t much else in her life that brought her joy. We’d talked on the phone a few times since her wedding, mostly because whenever she called, I felt sorry that she didn’t have her own Teagan. Every woman should have at least one ride-or-die girlfriend.
When Eugenia said she wanted to see me, I assumed she wanted to meet where we always had—her home. She didn’t. She said what she wanted to discuss with me was a private matter. Could she come to me?
In Lockton? I didn’t see how that would work out, so I gave her my Boston address. If she were visiting my other apartment, I would be rushing around putting things away, but I hadn’t moved much into this place. The bathroom had a few toiletries. The dresser in the bedroom contained a few articles of clothing. One expensive dress hung in the closet above a matching pair of high heels—all gifts from my niece Judy, who was convinced a woman should always be prepared.
I walked across the pristine white rug and opened the double doors that led to the balcony, letting in a fresh breeze off the water. Inhaling appreciatively, I turned and used the intercom on the wall to call down to the kitchen. I ordered Eugenia’s favorite comfort foods along with her favorite brand of bottled water. Wasn’t all water the same? Not to people with money.
I couldn’t picture her downing a beer with me in my favorite bar. She probably couldn’t picture me doing it either. I’d never shown her that side of me because that wasn’t what she’d paid for.
Seeing her again would be interesting.
The intercom on the wall announced, “A Mrs. Thinsley is here to see you, Miss Ragsdale.”
“Send her up, please,” I responded.
I returned to the foyer to greet Eugenia. As she stepped out of the elevator, her smile was tentative. “I’m early. I hope that’s okay.” Her short hair swung forward as she came to an abrupt stop in front of me. “Casual elegance” was how I would have described her sense of fashion. Each item she wore had likely been tailored to fit her, but her slacks and silk top whispered money rather than screamed it.
“Perfect timing, actually.” I almost put my hand out to shake hers, but there was something in her eyes that made me change to a warm hug. “It’s so good to see you again.”
She hugged me back like we were old friends. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.”
Well . . . okay, then. After stepping back, I referenced the living room behind us. “Same. Would you like to sit inside or outside?”
“It’s such a beautiful day—let’s sit out.” We walked together through the open double doors and onto the balcony. “Wow, look at this view. Absolutely stunning. When I saw the address, I imagined a beautiful place, but this is truly impressive.”
“Thank you.” I wasn’t sure what else one would say to that. Thankfully, the intercom buzzed, announcing the arrival of my order. I asked for it to be brought in. When I’d first started using the service, I’d bolted for the door and practically set the table myself, but I was learning. Helping only made it awkward all around. Eugenia and I looked out over the water while the table was set behind us. I waved and mouthed “Thank you” to the familiar staff member. He acknowledged it with a smile and nod. In the building, tipping was done monthly, and Dominic said he would cover it. I had no idea how well Dominic did or didn’t tip, but everyone on the staff always seemed happy to help, so I assumed he was generous.
Eugenia gave me a side glance. “I had no idea you had money.”
I didn’t want to lie, but nor did I want to tell her too much. “I don’t, but some of my family does. This was a gift.”
She searched my face. “A lot of what didn’t make sense before does now. No wonder you weren’t intimidated by my mother-in-law. I hated how she spoke to you when she found out I’d hired you. Edward should never have told her. Or I should have lied to him about who you were. I’m sorry I didn’t.”
“Water under the bridge. How is she treating you?” Eugenia had never been anything but kind to me. I didn’t hold her responsible for the lack of class her mother-in-law had displayed.
“Same as before. Edward told her to be nicer to me, but it didn’t change anything. She’s started calling me his ‘first wife’—like she can’t wait for him to choose his next.” Her bottom lip quivered.
Bitch. I touched her arm. “Miserable people enjoy making other people miserable.” I wanted to kick Edward’s ass for not doing more to protect his wife. I’d dated enough men, though, who had claimed to care about me but lacked the testicles to go to bat for me. Sadly, I understood how Eugenia felt. “Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?”
“Yes and no.” Eugenia looked behind me at the food on the table. “You ordered french onion soup.”
“I did.”
“My grandmother used to make it for me when I was sick . . . or just sad.”
“I remember.”
Eugenia burst into tears. “And you ordered it for me.”
I rubbed her back and used the same soothing tone that had proven successful at calming her in the weeks leading up to her wedding. “Of course I did. What’s wrong, Eugenia?” If she told me Edward was not only spineless but also a cheater, I might have excused myself to go kick his ass.
She straightened, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and said, “I’m pregnant.”
I hugged her. “That’s wonderful.”
“Is it?” She sniffed. “I haven’t told Edward yet because I don’t want his mother to know. What does that say about our marriage?”
Nothing good, in my mind, but I didn’t say that. Instead I took a moment to think of something that might bring her some comfort. “That it’s not perfect, but no marriage is.”