Hannah’s cheeks flushed. “Of course.” In all the years Birdie and Charlene had been together, Evangeline had never once seen Charlene give her sister more than ten seconds of her time.
As Birdie turned to greet new arrivals, Charlene raised her arm and snapped her fingers. An attentive wait staff hurried over. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Spring water for my stepdaughter.” Shifting her focus to Evangeline, Charlene asked what she’d like to drink.
Evangeline was primed for that fancy vodka, but the booze, coupled with the lack of sleep, would have her passed out in fifteen minutes. She did not want to miss the wedding. “Water works.”
With a dismissive wave, Charlene sent the server to fetch their drinks. Despite being as tall as Evangeline, Charlene rose up on her stilettos and peered around the kitchen. “Hannah, I have a special guest I want you to meet.”
“Oh, yeah?” Hannah looked genuinely interested.
Since Evangeline had no interest in the chum Charlene was hurling in their direction, she said nothing.
“I’ve been to over a dozen social events and holiday parties this month and I can’t remember where I met him.” Pausing, Charlene tapped her finger against her lips. “Anyway, he’s so full of holiday spirit that I invited him so he could spread his Christmas cheer and message of goodwill.”
“He sounds wonderful,” Hannah cooed.
Evangeline wished her sister wasn’t so doe eyed around Charlene.
“You’ll love him,” Charlene said, patting Hannah on the back.
Inwardly, Evangeline cringed. Was Charlene playing matchmaker? I hope not.
“Thank you again for the crib, Charlene,” Hannah said. “And the bedding is so adorable.”
“Let’s see if JT can help you with all of that,” Charlene said.
“We set up the crib a few days ago,” Hannah said. “You really didn’t need to buy me the most expensive one.”
Charlene’s eyes widened. “You set it up?”
So condescending. “I helped,” Evangeline interjected. “Girl power and all, Charlene.” A half smile made her lips twitch. “You know all about that, don’t you?”
The server returned with two glasses of water on a silver platter as a tall, good-looking man swung into Evangeline’s peripheral vision. Evangeline loved men. And she especially loved admiring a handsome one. She loved kissing them…and, on occasion, whatever else might follow.
“Ahhhh, here he is!” Charlene’s face split into a smile so big, Evangeline did a double take. “JT, come and meet my daughter, Hannah.”
Evangeline almost choked on her water. Daughter?
“My friends call me Joey.” He shook both women’s hands and Evangeline found herself holding his gaze too long. Every strand of his carob brown hair was combed into place, his chiseled cheekbones were a definite selling point, but his smile was filled with a mouthful of teeth that crowded his too-small jaw.
“JT—Joey—is a pastoral counselor,” Charlene gushed. “His mega church is in beautiful Asheville, but he’s spending the holidays in the area, sharing his deep love of Christmas.”
I could use that alcohol right about now.
“I’m here doing charity work,” Joey explained before setting his sights on Hannah. “I hear you’re giving Charlene her first grandson next month. Congratulations.”
As the small talk continued, Evangeline’s thoughts floated back to the night before. Aside from losing her only solid lead in a time-sensitive case, she’d gotten an eyeful of Sinclair Develin in action. While she hadn’t been able to hear their conversation, she was pretty good at reading body language. Develin was calling all the shots.
“Where’d he take that baby?” she murmured under her breath.
“No one can hear you when you mumble,” Charlene scolded, snapping her from her thoughts. Facing Hannah, she fastened on a smile. “I hope you’ll play tour guide while JT’s in town.”
A fair-skinned man with flushed cheeks and a Santa hat tapped Charlene on the shoulder. Beside him stood a beautiful woman with ebony skin. “We have to head out.”
“Meet my daughter,” Charlene said. “Hannah, this is Maya and Craig Fields, two of my closest friends in the world.”
“When’s the big day?” Maya asked Hannah.
“January fifteenth,” Hannah replied laying a soft hand on her belly.
“How are you feeling?” asked Craig.
“Great. I’m slower than I used to be, what with the extra forty pounds.”
“Take good care of yourself,” Maya added.
“Of course,” Hannah replied. “This little guy is my top priority.”
“I’ll be in touch,” Charlene said before the couple squeezed by on their way out.
“Charlene told me you’re a teacher,” Joey said, resuming his conversation with Hannah.
“I teach the most adorable kindergarteners.”
“How ‘bout you?” Joey asked Evangeline.
“Evangeline works for Justice,” Charlene replied.
“Nice.” Joey nodded. “What kinda work do you do?”
“I live in New Jersey, but I’m here on temporary assignment for a few months.”
“Lucky for me,” Hannah interjected. “Evangeline’s my birth coach.”
Nice job, Hannah. She shot her sister a little smile.
Joey shifted his attention to Hannah. “Maybe you’ll be able to show me around during your winter break. I hate to sightsee alone.” His warm smile touched his eyes. “In exchange, I’ll cook you dinner. I make a mean fish taco.”
Hannah’s cheeks pinkened. “That would be great, though I’ve become more of a waddler these days.”
He flashed another charming smile. “No rush. We can go at your pace.”
Hannah’s cheeks stayed rosy and her eyes brightened. Ever since her boyfriend had ghosted on her, Hannah had been a mess. Evangeline wasn’t surprised she jumped at the attention Joey was heaping on her.
A woman sporting a camera appeared beside Charlene. “Can I get a few pics of everyone with Charlene? It’s for the Washingtonian.”
Hell, no. “No, thanks.” As Evangeline stepped back, she bumped into Joey.
“I’m gonna grab a drink.” Joey vanished into the crowd as Birdie turned back toward them.
Grinning, Birdie threw his arms around Evangeline and Hannah. “Fire away.”
The woman snapped several pictures before taking a few more of Charlene chatting with guests.
Dammit. Evangeline didn’t want any publicity and she certainly did not want to be photographed with a high-ranking employee at the FBI, even if he was her former stepdad. Someone might accuse her of calling in a favor. As Deputy Director of Domestic Communications, Birdie Caraway wielded a lot of power.
“All right you two, have fun,” Birdie said before moving on to mingle.
“Joey’s nice,” Hannah said. “And so handsome, don’t you think?”
“He’s a real peach,” Evangeline replied, the bite in her tone not lost on her sister.
“What happened to innocent before proven guilty?”
“Everyone’s guilty of something.”