Page 10 of Every Time We Touch

“Maybe I can tell you later,” she says. “When I know I can trust you.”

“When I no longer catfish you?” Clancy’s so easy to talk to—to banter with.

“That would be a start.” She holds up her glass. “To future trust.”

I clink mine against it and hold her gaze for a fraction. She doesn’t glance away. Damn it. I actually quite like her. I came to her studio today to confront her about being on a dating app for women. Instead, I’m toasting to what could very well become some sort of friendship with my dad’s new girlfriend.

“And who knows,” Clancy says. “Maybe a tango lesson?”

“Who knows?” I reply. A couple of hours ago, I wouldn’t even have entertained the notion. Now, the idea is actually kind of appealing.

“The first one’s free.” Clancy waggles her eyebrows. “I was prepared for the worst when I got your message, but I really didn’t have to be.”

I was determined to make her the villain. Now, I’m no longer sure what to make of Clancy or, come to think of it, how she makes me feel.

Chapter 6

Clancy

Skye, my interior designer friend, has stopped by to discuss sprucing up the locker rooms. I’m lucky she has found the time to look at my little studio—her jobs have become decidedly more glamorous since her business partner, Kate, married Stella Flack. She’s also the reason I once met Nora Levine, when she took me as her plus-one to a party at Kate and Stella’s house.

“I heard it through the grapevine,” Skye says, “that you had a big get-together at Mimi St James’s house.”

“Which particular grapevine would that be?” I’m hardly naive. Mimi’s ex-husband bringing his new girlfriend over to meet the family—and ex-wife—is probably even too juicy a piece of gossip for someone like Nora to ignore.

“You know,” Skye says, while happily lazing in a chair with a cup of coffee instead of studying the changing rooms. “The usual. Nora told Stella and Stella told Kate and Kate told me.”

“Does this gossip train also work in reverse order?” I ask. “Can I plant a rumor with you and see how quickly it takes to reach Nora’s and the St Jameses’ ears?”

“Depends.” Skye looks dead serious. “What’s the rumor?”

“It’s hardly a rumor.” I send her a reassuring smile. “Just that I’m not someone to be suspicious of.”

Skye slants her head. “Is that the impression you got?”

I shake my head. “No, not at all. They’re a lovely bunch.” I reach for my cup and gaze at Skye over the rim. “Although one of the daughters showed up here the other day, supposedly for tango lessons.”

“Really?” This makes her laugh. “How was the lesson?”

“We ended up at the bar around the corner instead.” Jennifer hasn’t been in touch about a possible lesson. Nothing’s stopping me from texting her about it, but I don’t want to be pushy.

“You went for a drink with Eric’s daughter?” Skye nods. “Why not?”

Skye’s right. Why wouldn’t I go for a drink with one of Eric’s kids? But out of the four of them, plus their significant others, I just hadn’t expected it to be with Jennifer.

“If Nora Levine likes them,” Skye says.

“I am in the same boat as Nora,” I muse. “Who would have thought? You know, when I was watching her on TV as a teenager.” I have to chuckle. “Last weekend, I sat at the table with her.” I shake my head. “Although it’s hardly the same. I know from Eric that when Mimi brought home Nora for the first time, there was much more idolization than scrutiny.” I pause. “And then Nora’s BFF Juan got together with Mimi’s son.” I bat my lashes at Skye.

“Sorry. I’m taken. I can’t do you that kind of favor.”

I love that I don’t have to spell my silly suggestion out for her.

“Aren’t they all in relationships?” Skye asks.

“Jennifer’s single.”

“Oh, yeah.” Skye nods. “She was in a thing with Nora’s personal trainer for a while, though. What’s her name? The ex-Marine or former special forces or something like that.” She snaps her fingers. “Argh. My mommy-of-four brain is riddled with brain fog, but it will come to me.” She stills for a few seconds, searching her memory. “Marcy Baptiste.”