Page 39 of Fool Me Twice

“You know you’ve got to switch it on for it to boil, right?” Reeva reached behind Evie and flicked the switch on the kettle. “Is everything okay? You don’t seem very excited about the baby. Is it because of his age?”

“No, no,” Evie said with a wave of her hand. “It’s not that. I mean, he is a little young, but I’m sure him and Anya will make great parents. I’m thrilled about the baby. I really am.”

Reeva frowned. “So, what’s the problem, then? Not keen on being called ‘grandma’?”

“No, it’s nothing like that.”

“Then what’s the problem?” Reeva repeated.

Evie closed her eyes. If she said it quick, maybe it wouldn’t sound like such a big deal. “I slept with Peter, okay?” She waited for the lecture. Reeva was her closest friend and knew all about what she’d gone through with him.

“About bloody time.” Reeva clapped her hands together as the smile spread across her face.

“Sorry?”

“Come on, Evie, the guy is nuts about you. Anyone can see that. You’d see it too if you weren’t so stubborn and stopped giving him such a hard time for five minutes.”

“I do not.” She glared at Reeva, daring her to argue.

“Yes, you do, Evie.” Reeva nodded emphatically. “The poor guy only has to breathe and you jump down his throat.”

“I don—“ Evie stopped herself. “Okay, you’re right,” she conceded, holding her hands up. “But what now?”

“How do you mean?”

Evie tutted. Just how dense was Reeva? “It was complicated enough before we slept together, and now there’s the baby. And what will Jaxon say? Plus, Peter’s married. And what if he wants to do it again?”

“Whoa, whoa, time out,” said Reeva, making a T with her hands. “Now take a couple of deep breaths.” She inhaled and exhaled slowly, encouraging Evie to do the same. “Better?”

Evie nodded.

“Okay.” Reeva counted down the answers on her fingers. “Yes, you slept together. Big deal – you’re both adults, both free agents.” She held up her hand to silence Evie when she opened her mouth to say something. “Let me finish. The baby isn’t even here yet and won’t be for several months. Jaxon will still love you either way—“

“And what about Peter being married? You can’t deny that.”

“No, you’re right, I can’t deny it, but he’s as good as divorced. He’s told you that. Jaxon has told you that.”

“But that’s what he said last time. And I am not prepared to go there again, Reeva.” She couldn’t. She’d barely survived that last time.

“It’s different now.” Reeva paused. “I think he’s back.” The sound of a car engine purred in the distance.

“Don’t tell him I told you,” Evie said.

Reeva finished making the coffee while Evie told her about their dinner date and Chef Andre. The honk of a car horn interrupted them.

“Are you expecting anyone?” Reeva asked.

“No.” Evie went to see who was making such a commotion outside.

She threw open the front door. A black SUV she didn’t recognise was parked in her drive.

“Again,” a bored female voice commanded from inside the vehicle, and the driver hit the horn with the palm of his hand again.

Evie didn’t need to see the woman’s face to know who she was.

Shari.

Chapter twenty-two

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