Charlie held her face. “That’s very sweet, honey.”

“No, really.” She felt herself about to weep as Charlie ran his fingers on her lips. “Somewhere I believe that like a five-year-old child.”

“I know.” He jostled her fingers.

“It’s sort of ridiculous.” She looked away from him.

“No, I promise it’s sweet.” He turned her back to him.

“Don’t you think sweetness seems a bit out of context these days?” She put her leg on his.

Charlie smiled. “No, but that’s why ever since the time I was snubbed by the Ivy I’ve been quietly in love with you.” He curled up to go to sleep.

Frankie couldn’t help herself from grabbing onto his declaration as if it were a prelude to living happily ever after. And the more insane it seemed to hold on to that notion, the less she could let it go.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

·CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE·

Judy

“You’ll never guess who I ran into here.” Judy was almost giddy on the phone when she finally reached Clarice.

“Who?” Clarice was distracted from reviewing the sketches for her new shop on Worth Avenue.

“Samantha Acton.”

After Clarice heard about Starbucks and Pippa Rose’s daughter, she made arrangements to transfer her girls from Spence to Palm Beach Day School. She decided she’d rather cope with natural disasters like hurricanes.

“That’s nice,” Clarice said, cutting Judy off. Her daughters had told her that Samantha and Barry weren’t seeing each other anymore.

“I think she’s here with Barry. Poor thing. She must be really desperate.” Judy took a sip of water.

Clarice had no intention of being drawn into this. She had recently met a seventy-year-old widower in Palm Beach who was a golf buddy of Samantha’s father. He was a Republican and owned, as far as Clarice could make out, half of St. Louis. Clarice was not attracted to him the way she was to Barry, which was why she decided she would probably marry him.

“I see Samantha’s parents down here. They’re a terrific couple,” Clarice casually answered.

Judy knew she was getting nowhere. “Did you hear about Jil Taillou?” she said, moving on. “He left everything to the stripper from Hoboken.”

“Yes, poor Jil.” Clarice decided it was time to end the conversation. “I’m so sorry, Judy, but my daughters just walked in. I’ve got to go. Lots of love and Happy New Year.” Clarice hung up.

For a moment Judy felt abandoned. She was certain she would run into Samantha at dinner one night since Barry and Albert were both members of Caribou, the best private restaurant in Aspen. She was looking forward to reporting every detail to Clarice after supper. Now there would be no one really satisfying to share her news with.