Page 101 of Love By The Falls

“Same. Thanks for the invite.”

“Oh, it’s our pleasure. I tell Michael all the time that we should have you over more often.”

I glance at my brother and he looks just as surprised as I am. I smile but cover it with the back of my hand.

“I hate imagining you all alone in that apartment of yours all weekend.”

“Well, I wasn’t alone all weekend.”

She smiles. “I don’t want to hear about your bachelor escapades.”

This time I don’t hide my laugh. “That’s not what I was trying to say.”

“Oh?”

“I was out of town this weekend.”

“Really? Where? Not to the Hamptons?”

“No. Cedar Brook Falls.”

Her eyes squint, but her brow doesn’t furrow. Or rather, can’t furrow from the Botox. “Mmm… I think I’ve heard of it. Do the Martins vacation there?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Why were you there?”

“I… um…” Shit. I hadn’t decided how I would tell Michael he would be an uncle soon, but I didn’t think this was the right moment. “I was visiting a friend.”

“Oh. That’s so kind of you. I was just telling Trudy how kind you are.”

“Trudy?”

“Oh, didn’t I mention? I invited Trudy Hazan to join us. Her family owns several homes and businesses on Dover Court. Great little neighborhood.”

“No. You didn’t mention it.”

She laughs and tosses her long blonde hair back. The ends are much lighter than the roots.

I follow Brigitte into the dining room where a petite young woman with straight black hair, wearing a long black dress with buttons all the way to her neck, stands up.

“Trudy, this is my brother-in-law, Caleb Consuelos. Caleb, this is Miss Trudy Hazan.”

I extend my hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Trudy.”

She smiles demurely and barely looks me in the eye. Her skin is as white as porcelain with no blemishes, no beauty mark, and especially no freckles. She tucks her dress beneath her when she sits and keeps her hands clasped in her lap.

Her parents must have sent her to one of those New York City private schools that still teach posture and other antiquated lessons.

After listing Trudy’s various accomplishments at school, Brigitte turns to me and smiles. “Isn’t that quite the resume,” she says.

I look between her and my brother. He’s buttering a piece of bread and avoiding my eyes. “Ah. Yes. Are you looking for a job, Ms. Hazan?”

Brigitte’s eyes widen. It’s obvious now that’s not the case, although the question was genuine.

“No,” says Brigitte through gritted teeth. “She’s not looking for a job. But a compliment wouldn’t hurt.”

I turn to Trudy and smile. “You must be very proud of yourself.”

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