Page 82 of Friends with Benefits

Dance.

But maybe Evelyn is done avoiding, too.

“Ev—”

“Evelyn!”

Whatever Theo is about to say is cut off and it’s so disorienting that she’s no longer in his arms. She’s wrapped in Naomi, who’s dressed in a black Gucci jumpsuit, long pink nails pressing into her back. Theo doesn’t take his eyes off Evelyn. Feels the most irrationalrage, witnessing Naomi embrace her like… well, like she’s hermother.

“I can’t believe I heard that you’d be here from Miriam,” Naomi says.

“I texted you,” Evelyn says.

Naomi’s forehead doesn’t move when she frowns. “Did you?”

“Maman,” says a tiny voice. Margot. Evelyn always insiststhat Margot is Gen’s doppelgänger, but Theo sees his best friend, too. “Je veux une glace.”

“Un moment, mon amour,” Naomi says to Margot, then looks at Evelyn. “We’re raising her bilingual.”

Evelyn’s eyebrow twitches. “Oh.”

“Good thing, too, because this little star had a callback for a Bonne Maman partnership.” Naomi looks down at Margot, who is reaching for her mother’s hand. “Mon chéri, this is Evelyn. Your sister.”

Margot looks up and offers a small, timid wave with her free hand.

Evelyn isn’t a sister to her, but a stranger.

“Hi.” Evelyn squats and holds out her hand. Margot places a tiny palm in hers. “Your nails are so pretty.”

“Pink is my favorite color.”

Evelyn smiles. “Mine too.”

“What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?” Margot asks.

“Mint chip.”

Margot gasps. “Noway.”

Evelyn’s giggle isso much.

She stands. “This is my friend, Theo.”

Theo waves. “Enchanté.”

It’s a mistake. Margot starts babbling to him in French. Theo doesn’t speak French. He nods along and feigns comprehension until Margot spots Jean-Paul at the ice cream station and runs toward her father, allowing Theo to rejoin the adult conversation as Naomi is sharing with Evelyn that they’re considering moving back to France. For Margot’s education. A waiter walks by with a tray of champagne and Naomi picks up a flute. Immediately stains the rim with hot pink lipstick.

“Jean-Paul is from Toulouse and he had the mostcharmingchildhood. We want that for Margot.”

Evelyn’s smile is saccharine. “Of course.”

Naomi’s lips press together. “Evelyn. I did the best I could for you and Immy. I hope you know that.”

“I do.”

“Do you?”

“Yes.”

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