“We’ll just have to get your mind off things and I think we should start by getting you presentable,” Juliette said.
“What, you don’t like my chill wear?” Joey asked, twisting her face into a mask of offense.
“Not to go out in public in,” Juliette said.
“We’re leaving?”
“Yes, I think the best thing to do right now would be to get some air. If this isn’t proper cause for an emergency meeting, I don’t know what is.” Juliette shook her head.
“You call the girls while I get ready?”
“Absolutely, do you want me to tell them what happened?”
The sympathy in Juliette’s eyes made her glance away. “No, it should come from me. I’ll be back after a quick shower.”
Twenty minutes later, she was ready to go in her favorite pair of worn jeans, a quarter-sleeve black t-shirt, a pair of tennis shoes and a black jacket. For once, as she entered Corkers, there was no sense of happiness or lightened load. Joey slunk to the back and took a seat facing the door.
“We’re the first ones here. Hil’s wrapping up a paragraph she was in the middle of and believe it or not, Mr. Levi is dropping Evonne off.”
“Great. The one day I could care less about anything, we finally get to meet the guy.” Joey gave a fake smile.
“That’s assuming he doesn’t drop and dash,” Juliette added.
Joey snickered. “He’s not skipping out on a bill.”
“You know what I mean.” Juliette waved her hand. “It’s really bothering me we haven’t met him almost five months in. I mean, clearly, Evonne is over the moon about this guy. It has to be getting semi-serious.”
Joey offered a small smile. “She’ll be fine. Evonne is the most levelheaded person we know.”
“Which is what scares me. The love-struck look she’s been wearing is not her norm and I don’t want some rich playboy taking advantage of her.” Juliette shook her head.
“What makes you think that’s what Levi is?” Joey countered, ready to play devil’s advocate.
“I’m not, but you know he fits the description: attractive, wealthy, successful and often out of town. If you haven’t met his friends and family after a certain point, you’re the other woman or not as important as you should be.”
Joey flinched. “Kind of harsh, don’t you think, Jul?”
“I know. It’s why I’ve kept it to myself. But with everything that happened to me, I can’t help but look at it from all angles.” Jul wound a strand of hair around her finger.
“And that’s understandable. No one would blame you.” Joey did her best to return the favor from earlier and reassure her. She’d been through a lot of shit in the past year.
“I know, but I don’t want to steal any of her joy.” Juliette shook her head and glanced down to her lap.
“Don’t worry about it, we’ll feel him out tonight and go from there, okay?”
“Okay.” Juliette nodded.
A few minutes later, Evonne strolled in on the arm of an attractive dark-haired man with killer light-green eyes, impressive shoulders and a height that couldn’t be less than six foot three.
“Damn,” Joey whispered. He was attractive, she had to give him that.
“Uh huh,” Juliette said through her smile as they both stood.
“Hey, girls, this is Levi. Levi, this is Juliette and Joey,” Evonne said.
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you ladies.” Levi said. He leaned forward and took the girls’ hands, kissing the backs of them.
Joey pushed aside the urge to jerk her hand back. She didn’t like her space invaded. A chill went through her body. There was an oily, artificial feel to him she didn’t like.