Evangeline knew he was joking. She had mentally prepared herself for Victor''s return and found that the old terror no longer had a hold on her.


    "See you tomorrow, then," she said with a smile, leaning over to give him a quick kiss on the cheek before hopping out of the car.


    "Get some rest tonight. Sleep early," Finn called after her.


    Without turning back, Evangeline gave him an "OK" sign with her hand.


    She waited until she heard the sound of his car pulling away, then paused, looking


    in the direction he had gone. The sleek convertible disappeared into the night. A soft smile touched her lips.


    She knew what he had been about to say. She remembered their anniversary. But teasing him was just too much fun.


    Once the taillights were out of sight, she went inside.


    Linda and Tabitha were still awake, sitting at the table ying a game on their phones, though they both looked distracted. Evangeline nced over and noticed the living room window was open-the one with a clear view of where she and Finn had just been parked.


    She didn''t say anything. She had suspected from the second day that Linda and Tabitha had been sent by Finn, but there was no point in confronting them. She wasn''t fond of friendships built on money, but in a world where every rtionship was tangled with self-interest, this straightforward arrangement was almost refreshing. At least she knew it wasn''t real, so she didn''t have to invest any emotion or effort.


    Besides, keeping up the charade put Finn at ease, made her life more pleasant, and kept her roommates happy. Exposing it would just make things awkward for everyone. And, more importantly, through them, she could often glean useful information.


    With that in mind, Evangeline walked over to them.


    "Girls, I have a date tomorrow. Can you help me pick out an outfit?"


    As if on cue, Linda jumped to her feet. "Of course!"


    She immediately started herding Evangeline toward her bedroom. "Evangeline, I''m


    an expert when ites to dates. With my help, you''ll knock him dead."


    Evangelineughed. "Let''s not be that dramatic. If he''s dead, who will I go on a date with?"


    "Fine, we''ll leave him with half a life," Linda dered.


    They spent the next half-hour in


    Evangeline''s room, with Linda


    decisively rejecting one outfit after,


    another Content Outfit


    "Nope, too in for a date."


    belongs to


    "Too professional. You''re going on a date, not to a board meeting."


    "Not this one."


    "Or this one."


    en


    After thirty minutes with no sess, Tabitha joined the effort. Another half-hourter, they finally settled a long, red V-neck slip dress. The dress hugged her figure, entuating her already slender waist and highlighting the elegant, lines of her shoulders and neck. It gave her aplex aura of both seduction and vulnerability that was utterly captivating.


    Linda''s eyes widened. "Evangeline, forget men. I think I''m in love with you."


    "Mwah, let me give you a kiss."


    She started to move toward her, but Tabitha blocked her way. "Stop being such a creep. You''re scaring her."


    "I''m not a creep! Evangeline, am I a creep?" Linda protested.


    "Wipe the drool off your chin before you ask," Tabitha shot back. "That''s sweat!"


    Tabitha looked at her, aghast. "Who sweats from their mouth?"


    Linda fell silent.


    Watching them bicker, Evangeline couldn''t help butugh. It had been a long time since her life had felt this lively. It reminded her of how she and theresa sed to argue always at each other''s throats but quick to make up.


    At the thought of Theresa, a shadow passed over her face.