Flawed Perfection (An Eve Sumptor Novel) by Jourdyn Kelly Page B

tell Lainey. Then she remembered that Lainey was the one other person she could be completely honest with, and know she will not judge. Eve peered out the kitchen door to make sure Lexie and Bella were not in ear shot. When she saw them engrossed in an educational game, she looked back at Lainey.
    “I broke down, Lainey. I couldn’t help it, could do nothing to stop it. I just fell to my knees in front of him and broke down. I can’t help but wonder if that’s why he stopped being pissed. Perhaps he thinks I’m losing it.”
    “Oh, honey.” Lainey’s heart broke a little hearing Eve talk about losing control. “He doesn’t think you’re losing it. Adam just understands you’ve been through more than your fair share of shit.”
    Eve couldn’t help the burst of laughter. Lainey wasn’t one to curse a lot (unless she was mad), so when she did, it tickled Eve.
    “I know, I’m just not used to him seeing me like that.”
    “You’re married, Eve. He sees you, and loves you, for better or worse.”
    Eve’s eyes cut to Lainey, again. “That’s basically what he said. You would think that almost two years in, I’d get that.” She knew she should believe in that, but that person who broke down is not who Adam married. He married a strong woman. Not some weak, emotional woman. It just wasn’t a pleasant feeling for Eve.
    “You’ve held your emotions in for so long, Eve, that I’m sure it’s going to take a while to feel comfortable letting them out.”
    Before Eve could respond, Bella tottered into the kitchen towards Eve, her arms lifted.
    “Mama!”
    Eve bent and scooped Bella up, wrapping her in her arms. “Hi, baby girl. Are you hungry?”
    “Sorry, Mrs. Riley! I was putting up the game, and she just ran off! Fast little bugger!”
    “Not a problem, Lexie. Have you had lunch?”
    “No ma’am. I was going to wait until after I fed little Bella here.”
    “Would you like a sandwich?”
    “Oh! Ma’am, I can make something! I don’t want to take you away from anything.”
    “Don’t be silly. I’m going to make something for Bella, Lainey and myself. I can certainly make you something. Do you like turkey?”
    Lexie blushed shyly. None of the families she had ever worked for were interested enough in her to be more than cordial. She wasn’t sure how to react to Eve’s kindness.
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    “Lexie? Please, call me Eve. I think you’ve worked for us long enough to be on a first name basis.” Eve smiled warmly at her, and watched Lexie tentatively smile back. “Is turkey good for you, Lainey?”
    Lainey grinned, and nodded. Eve’s compassion never ceased to amaze her.
     

     
    After lunch, Eve put the finishing touches on the guest list for Bella’s party. The list included Lainey’s boys, the other young ones Lexie teaches, Henry, Trudy and Stevie, Mikey and his mother, Pauly and his family, Billy and his wife and kids—much to Adam’s disappointment—Charlie and his wife, and, to make things even more interesting, James and his family. Eve’s eclectic group made her smile, and wonder if she was the only one who had an FBI agent, a police captain and a criminal coming to the same party for a little girl turning one.
    “What are you smiling at?” Lainey loved seeing Eve smile.
    Eve handed Lainey the list, and knew she saw the same oddness.
    “Well, it will certainly be an interesting first birthday party,” Lainey giggled.
    “Maybe I should rethink this whole thing, and have a simple little get together with you, Jack and the boys,” Eve teased.
    “I believe you’ve already given the deposit for the ponies.”
    Eve laughed, but Lainey was actually right. Yes, she hired ponies. So incredibly silly, she knew, but she did it nonetheless. Adam didn’t even try to talk her out of it. Eve thought he secretly wanted the ponies for his little girl, too. Hell, he wanted everything for his little princess, which is exactly why he agreed to buying her a tiny tiara.
    “You think