Chapter 311: Say Goodbye to A Friend


    Avery gives Reba a sympathetic look. Reba does an excellent job of hiding it, but the delicate skin under her eyes is puffy as if she''s been crying a lot. I wonder if she''s having problems with her boyfriend, Avery thinks. I''d be devastated if I moved across the world to be with my boyfriend only to find out he''s too busy to see me.


    "Come on, let''s go," Avery says. "I just have to stop on the way out and say goodbye to a friend."


    "Of course, take your time," Reba says, picking up her purse and smoothing her skirt. "I''ll wait for you in the garage."


    Avery pops her head into Emily''s office and exins the situation with Reba. Emily promises to schedule a meeting with her father as soon as he''s back from his business trip. Avery gives her a quick hug goodbye and heads down to the garage, dismissing Andrew''s driver on the way.


    Reba is waiting for her in the driver''s seat of a cherry-red Porsche. She gives Avery a happy wave and opens the passenger door. Avery climbs in, and Reba drives out of the garage, working the manual transmission with ease.


    "Are you sure your husband doesn''t mind that I''m stealing his wife for dinner?" Reba asks.


    "I don''t think so," Avery says.


    It seems too difficult to exin her situation with Andrew to Reba. Besides, Avery knows she needs to be carefulReba may look trustworthy, but she''s a virtual stranger.


    "That''s sweet," Reba says with a sad smile. "You guys seem veryfortable togetherI envy that. I hope I can have your happiness someday."


    Reba steers the car onto the highway and away from the city center. Highway signs sh overhead as they get further and further from the city. Soon they''re in a residential area, far from all the restaurants. Reba exits the highway and turns into a gatedmunity of French-style vis called Garden City. She pulls into a gravel driveway and parks the car.


    "I hope you don''t mind," she says. "I seldom eat at restaurants in my own country because I love cooking. I thought I''d make you a home-cooked meal if that''s okay."


    "You can cook?" Avery asks.


    "A little," Reba says, but her cheeks glow with pride.


    Reba hands the car keys to a waiting servant and leads Avery into the house. I''m impressed, Avery thinks. She has the grace and manners of a noblewoman, but she''s so modest. She drives her own car and cooks her own food. I don''t know any upper-ss women here who do that.


    The entryway isrge but almost empty. A small antique cab sits next to the door, and Reba kneels down and pulls out two pairs of slippers. There''s a small pink pair and a muchrger navy blue pair.


    "I''m sorry, but my boyfriend just had the floors redone, would you mind wearing these instead of your shoes?" Reba asks. "I just have these two pairs. Would you mind wearing my boyfriend''s? He hasn''t worn them yetthey''re still brand new."


    "Are you sure he''ll be okay with that?" Avery asks.


    "Sure," Reba says sadly. "I''ll probably have time to buy him a new pair before hees to visit me again."


    Avery slides the slippers on. There''s a huge gap at the back, and she feels like she''s wearing clown shoes. She follows Reba down the long hall, walking slowly, so she doesn''t trip on the huge shoes.


    "Did you have a chef back home?" Avery asks.


    "I''ve always cooked for myself," Reba answers. "I like it better that way. Actually, I''m a fairly private person. The maid here helps with cleaning, but she goes home every night. I basically live by myself."


    Avery looks around as they walk. Though Reba just moved in, the house is fully furnished. Everything in it seems toe in a matching set. There are two loveseats in the living room with two end tables and readingmps. In the kitchen, his and hers mugs sit next to the coffee pot, waiting for Reba and her boyfriend to use them. It''s clear that Reba has tried to make the house a romantic retreat for her boyfriend.


    The kitchen has a modern, open floor-n with a marble-topped ind in the middle. Reba walks around the room, opening cabs, and selecting ingredients. She puts them all on the ind and washes her hands at the sink.


    "How many people are you cooking for?" Avery asks.


    There''s an entire head of crisp green lettuce, a pound of ripe tomatoes, and piles of finely chopped herbs and spices. There seems to be enough food to feed a small dinner party.


    "Just for us," Reba says, drying her hands. "It seems like a lot, but most of this will cook down."


    Avery watches Reba work with fascination. The woman is just as graceful with a knife as she is with everything else. She slices and chops each ingredient with delicate flicks of her wrist. Then she pours oil into a pan and fries a thick cut of salmon. Hot steam swirls up from the pan, but Reba doesn''t seem to mind.


    "Is your boyfriend joining us?" Avery asks.


    "I''m not expecting him," Reba says. "He''s very busy."


    Reba''s phone starts to ring, and she drops the spat and rushes to answer it. She runs to the living room and sits down on the sofa. Avery grabs the spat and lifts the salmon out of the pan and onto a te. The bottom of the fish is perfectly seared, and the top is dotted with dark green herbs and spices.


    The pan is still sizzling hot, and the oil pops and crackles. Avery looks over at Reba, but she seems focused on the conversation. She sits straight and proper on the sofa with her legs crossed at the ankle. Though she knows she shouldn''t eavesdrop, Avery can''t help but listen. She wonders if Reba is talking to her mysterious boyfriend.


    "I promise, I''m doing well," Reba says. "I''m adjusting and taking care of the house."


    The pan makes a loud cracking sound, and hot oil shoots into the air and stters onto the counter. Avery rushes over and turns the heat off.


    "Listen, I''m cooking right now, and it''s almost finished," Reba says into the phone. "Please take care of yourself and eat well, Pop. If I find out you''re eating anything that could trigger your gout, I won''te to visit you. The housekeepers will tell me the truth."


    Reba ends the call and walks back into the kitchen. Avery smiles guiltily at her new friend and looks at the fresh vegetables on the counter. Reba grabs a knife and starts shredding the lettuce and arranging it on the te. She takes a small, wickedly sharp de and carves the tomatoes into roses.


    "Can I help with anything?" Avery asks.


    "Leave it to me, Avery," Reba says. "What kind of host would I be if I made my guests prepare their own dinners? Besides, you''ve been on your feet all day. Please go sit down and rx a moment. There are some magazines on the table if you want something to do."


    Avery sits on the sofa and flips through a fashion magazine. Velvet throw pillows decorate the pale blue sofa, and a plush rug covers the floor. In the corner, a firece crackles warmly. As cozy as the room is, it still feels cold and lonely. I''d hate to live here all alone, she thinks. Reba must be lonelier than she lets on.


    The doorbell rings, and Reba rushes through the living room and down the hallway. She smooths her hair and straightens her skirt as she goes. Her smile is bright and charming, but her forehead is creased with worry. Avery knows she needs to stop eavesdropping, but she holds her breath and listens to the conversation echoing down the hall.


    "Oh, I didn''t think you woulde," Reba says. "I''m sorry I let the guest wear your slippers. No matter, juste in with your shoes on."


    Avery''s curiosity gets the better of her, and she stands and walks closer to the hallway. It sounds like Reba is talking to her boyfriend, and Avery wants to get a look at him. There''s a pause while he answers, but Avery can''t make out his voice.


    "Aren''t you going toe in?" Reba asks, sounding worried. "Dinner is almost finished, and there''s more than enough for you to join us. If you don''t have time, maybe you could stay for a drink. I want you to meet my new friend."


    There''s another pause while the man replies. He must be whispering, Avery thinks. I can''t hear a word he''s saying.


    "She''s a jewelry designer at D. O.I just met her today," Reba says.


    Avery hears footsteps, and she leaps away from the door, and rushes back to the sofa, tripping over the giant slippers. A tall man follows Reba into the room, and Avery''s breath catches in her throatit''s Evan.


    He looks down at her with an unreadable expression, and she feels her face flush. Her heart twists painfully in her chest, and her thoughts chase themselves around her head. A part of her wants to run out of the room, but she stays frozen on the sofa, like a bird transfixed by a snake.


    "Avery, allow me to introduce my boyfriend: Evan Howel," Reba says. "Evan, this is my new friend, Avery Peters. I just met her today."


    Evan res down at her with daggers in his eyes and sneers, "She doesn''t deserve your friendship."