ased open, and C

m. It was beautiful-elegant even-but obviously ill-fitted. The waist hung too loose, and the bodi

s gaze

, despite the poor fit, it suited her-sharp, cool, distant

looking away. "Fr

"Isn't that Sere

he wheel. "Serena won't mind. Just ge

her tone even. "Maybe

ouldn't go at all. Pretty sure she doesn't want me ther

urned around like she

ding his frustration. He leaned in and hit the

ed. "Sit in the b

calmly. She opened the back door without another word and got in, a little clumsy t

led away i

poke. "Nelson, how are

rked to a

hed forward, her forehead hitt

ckly, then glanced back t

back up, one hand

g the car forward again at a

She didn't look at him again, just turned slightly and pulled the sea

the silence cre

tion... manageable now? I mean-seeing me

ter a beat, his voice clippe

Claire m

rried about Serena. She

ht be the end

the car stopped in front

re had lived for twenty years-now fel

seatbelt and stepped

iding ahead toward the lawn

fixed forward-he drew

s of her oversized pale blue dr

and tried to follow N

bout to catch up, Nel

of the crowd, he said a

tter and laughter on the

Curious eyes

began-low, sharp

e the Thompsons r

was shipped overseas?

. clearly doesn't fit. W

ty years-then tried to steal the fiancé

was forced to bring

ntempt and glee, slid str

dress a little tighter bu

high, she walke

the music from a white grand piano

no, dressed in an elegant

mooth and flowing, with a sparkling diam

notice Claire. Her face lit up wi

efully walked

h. "Is it really you? When did you come back? You d

ake Claire's hand in

gentle smile appeared on her lips. "I got back last night. I alread

ly kept smiling, now even more brightly, like some cheerful kid, "Well, I'm glad

nd, Serena threw her arms

re f

Serena's perfume wrappe

the embrace looked

ht-too tight. Claire

whispered, voice cold and laced wi

t seem to fit you w