"How is Manhattan?" he asks me as he takes me by the arm and pulls me inside the house. "Crazy as always." "And my favorite famous couple?" He kicks the door shut behind us. "Are they still gorgeous and charming and incredibly rich? Are they expecting a child yet? Can you tell me, I won’t tell anyone." I smile. I missed Roxy too. She's a gossip, but never malicious. Still, she can't keep a secret for more than five minutes. "Yes, Gideon and Eva Cross are still amazing in every way. And I’m not Eva’s doctor, so I don’t know if she’s pregnant or not. Anyway, with the way you dig up information, you’ll definitely find out as soon as she does." "Ha! I wish it were that easy. Kylie Jenner’s secret pregnancy proved that even celebrities can keep secrets." Her eyes light up with excitement. "So Eva might be pregnant but keeping it hidden." I don’t want to disappoint her, but… "Anyway, I didn’t see her belly growing." "Damn." Roxy makes a pouty face. "Anyway. They’re young." "And very busy." I work for them and know firsthand.

"What was she wearing when you saw her? I want a full description: outfit, shoes, accessories." "What outfit?" I ask innocently. "I didn’t see her just once." Her eyes light up. "Ooo! Let’s have lunch at Salty’s so you can tell me everything!" "I’m in," I tell her. "Meanwhile…" Her rich perfume that was wrapping around me fades as she goes ahead and enters the living room. "I have a lot to tell you." "I was gone only three weeks. How much could have happened in three weeks?" I follow Bella and Mini and stop at the entrance of the living room, immediately feeling at home in the familiar space. Roxy’s house is decorated in a traditional style, mainly white with touches of dark blue and gold, and it’s both beautiful and cozy at the same time. Here and there are scattered mosaic items – coasters, decorative bowls, vases, and many more. She makes them herself and has employees who sell them at Seattle’s Pike Place Market.