When the Lights Go Out... by Barbara Daly

Author:Barbara Daly
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

7

BLYTHE COULD ONLY FIND TWO options for hiding in Sacha’s apartment. She could either attach herself to the back of one of the larger men and hope he wouldn’t notice, or she could try to make it to Sacha’s single armchair.

The armchair was her best bet. Dropping to the floor behind the guests, she crept toward the chair, reached it without being noticed and squatted behind it with her skirt tucked tightly between her thighs and calves.

Amid cries of “Hey, Candy,” Candy trilled, “Sacha! I am ecstatic for you.”

Blythe envisioned Candy, overdressed and glamorous in silk capris, a black-and-white sequined top and spiked heels, exchanging hugs and air kisses with Sacha in her long rayon sundress and sandals. Then it was Sacha’s voice, saying, “This must be…”

Then Candy’s, answering, “No, this one’s Max.”

“Oh,” Sacha said, “Hi, Max.”

“This has to be the greatest day of your life,” Blythe heard Max say, his voice so warm and cuddly she could imagine Sacha glowing from the reawakened realization of her success.

“And may I add my heartiest congratulations. I’m Garth Brandon, Candy’s friend.”

Blythe thought Garth sounded snippy.

“Thanks, Garth. I understand you and Blythe are—Where is Blythe, anyway?”

Blythe held her breath. Sacha was about to blow her cover.

“Did you ask her to the party?” Candy said, sounding surprised. “I thought I told you…” Her words faded into murmurs and giggles.

Blythe peeked warily over the back of the armchair to find Max staring directly at her hiding spot. When their gazes met, his eyes widened and then his brows drew together. It was a message. The message seemed to be, “Sit. Stay,” so she ducked again to avoid the crisis as long as possible.

“Blythe had to go to a wake,” Garth said.

“Oh, no…” Sacha began.

Blythe sank her head between her knees. It was all over. She faced discovery, humiliation. She’d be cast out from her group of friends, evicted from her apartment. She squeezed her eyes tight and wished for someone to come to her rescue.

MAX TURNED TO SACHA and gave her a hard stare. He didn’t know her. He had no idea, if it came to taking sides, whose side she’d take, Candy’s or Blythe’s. She fell silent midsentence and returned his stare. She looked smart. As a writer, she probably had an awesome imagination. He held his breath.

“Oh, no,” she said again. “Poor Blythe. Who died? I didn’t think she had any family members left.”

“Some aunt I’ve never heard of,” Candy said in a gripy voice. “Or rather a frigging foster aunt. I must say, I’ve never heard the term ‘foster aunt.’”

“If you were expecting her, she should have called you when she had to cancel,” Garth said to Sacha.

“Blythe was orphaned at an early age,” Candy said kindly while making a subtle shift of position to line herself up beside Garth. “We can’t expect her to have the manners we grew up with, Garth.”

“The woman was grieving,” Max snapped, sliding a foot toward Sacha. “When you’re grieving, you’re not thinking about canceling out on a damned party! No offense, Sacha,” he said hastily.

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