“Talk about a fantasy,” Alicia Greene’s twin brother Alfie said into the phone. “If your housewife pals truly think Jake Sims is a changed man just because he won custody of his daughter, they really are living in a fantasy world. He didn’t get the nickname “Jake the Rake” for nothing!”
“All of which has nothing to do with me,” Alicia reminded her brother calmly. “I told you. I turned the girls down flat when they asked me to help Jake get settled into the neighborhood.”
“And what about the dinner party on Friday night?”
Alicia gulped – loud enough for Alfie to hear through the phone.
“And you know exactly which dinner party I’m talking about, Alicia. Zada’s dinner party,” Alfie said, rubbing it in. “Are you going to turn that invitation down flat, too?”
Alicia frowned. “How did you hear about Zada’s dinner party?”
“How do you think?” Alfie quipped.
Alicia frowned again. “And when did you talk to Tish?”
“Yesterday,” Alfie said smugly. “When I couldn’t get you on your cell phone, I called Tish.”
“I didn’t answer my cell phone,” Alicia said through clenched teeth, “because I was trying to avoid another lecture from you about Jake Sims!”
“Well, you should have answered your cell,” Alfie said. “All I had to do was ask Tish what exciting things were going on in Woodberry Park, and she was more than happy to fill me in on how Zada hoped to get you and Jake together at her party on Friday night.”
“Remind me to thank Tish for that,” Alicia mumbled under her breath.
Alfie said, “You are not going to that party, Alicia. Do you hear me? I forbid it!”
“Fine!” Alicia said. “If I can forbid you from seeing your nutty new-age therapist again!”
Alfie gulped – loud enough for Alicia to hear through the phone.
Alicia said, “Stop worrying about me getting involved with Jake Sims. It isn’t going to happen! Besides, his daughter is going to be living with him, remember? Kids always hate me on sight.”
“And dogs,” Alfie mentioned. “Dogs always hate you on sight, too.”
“Yes, Alfie,” Alicia huffed. “Dogs always hate me, too. Would it make you feel any better if I bought the daughter a puppy as a welcome-to-the-neighborhood present?”
“Yes,” Alfie said. “I think that would make me feel better. You pick the pup out at the pet store. And I’ll be happy to pay for it.”
Alicia ignored him and said, “No, what I’m going to do is tell Zada at coffee this morning to back off, and I mean it.”
“And Zada’s party?” Alfie pressed.
“After I give Zada a piece of my mind this morning,” Alicia said, “the party isn’t going to be an issue.”
“Mark my words,” Alfie warned. “Jake Sims will have his hand on your knee before Zada serves the main course.”
“Mark this,” Alicia said and happily hung up on her twin.
