The Devil's Daughter by Eva Sparks

Author:Eva Sparks [Sparks, Eva]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-06-28T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Five

Residence of Jason and Victoria King

Tacoma, Washington

Allie wrapped a protective arm around the potted plant and climbed the stairs to the second-floor apartment. The clerk at the store had called it a snake plant, otherwise known as mother-in-law’s tongue, but Allie hoped Victoria didn’t know that random factoid.

She had recognized the plant from the American Gothic painting of the two farmers in Iowa—the one with the old man in overalls, holding a pitchfork while his sister frowned next to him. Allie tried not to scowl like the woman in the painting, but she was highly uncomfortable with this entire arrangement. In college, she and her friends met for pizza or at a sports bar, but dinner with her new partner and his wife felt distinctly more mature.

Pulling up to the neat neighborhood, Allie had been impressed. It was the type of community she could put down roots in. Not too pristine or fussy. These were the kind of hardworking people who checked on their neighbors and didn’t mind a cracked sidewalk or a bit of rust. The proximity to the city made the location appealing to young professionals, investors, and small businesses.

A man on a scooter zipped past her as she slid into a parking space. A waif-like woman jogged by. She wore yoga pants and a crop top that, had Gram caught Allie in something similar, she would have fussed over it for being too revealing. Allie stepped out of the car and nodded a hello at a young couple pushing a stroller.

She adjusted her necklace and second-guessed her light purple dress that fell just below her knees. She had bought the dress and the white flats to go to Easter mass with Grams last spring. Her grandmother had remarked that Allie used to love lilac, and Allie vaguely remembered the choice back when she used to ride her bike everywhere, had a best friend, and had been obsessed with Nancy Drew. At least she still had her love of mysteries, she thought, and climbed the last flight of stairs.

Her nerves were grating, and she was struggling to make sense of them. They weren’t rational. She wasn’t worried about impressing her partner. Was it Victoria? That thought made her heart race. Allie had already forged a respect for the woman, based solely on her partner’s casual description and the obvious fact that he cared deeply for his wife.

Reaching the second floor, she found the fifth door on her left and knocked. Her heart was pounding.

Get a grip.

The door opened, revealing a stunning woman with olive skin and cropped hair, a tall natural beauty who stood before her barefaced and barefoot.

“Allie.” She pulled her in for a hug, much to Allie’s discomfort.

“Your apartment smells like a new car.” Allie blushed, flustered. “I mean, never mind. Do you like snake plants?” Allie handed her the housewarming gift.

“Actually, I do! Thank you. I adore plants.” Victoria grabbed her by the hand and pulled Allie inside. “Thank you for coming at the last minute.

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