Gloria picked the location deliberately.
Not a mall.
Not casual errands.
Rodeo Drive.
Luxury storefronts,
designer windows,
and the kind of polished atmosphere where even coffee sohow looked expensive.
Claire realized this imdiately.
"You absolutely planned this."
Gloria smiled behind oversized sunglasses while stepping out of the car.
"I wanted efficiency."
"You wanted an audience."
"That too."
Gael followed behind them carrying none of the emotional tension yet because technically this was still:
shopping.
Claire adjusted her bag while watching Gloria walk ahead confidently between storefronts.
Gloria looked younger in environnts like this.
More energized.
More alive.
Not "Jay's glamorous wife."
Just Gloria.
And judging from the amused looks she kept getting from strangers, other people noticed too.
"So," Gloria said while entering the first boutique, "which one of you understands modern n better?"
Claire looked horrified imdiately.
"Why am I included in this question?"
"Because you married Phil."
"That proves nothing."
The store assistant greeted Gloria like a returning celebrity while Claire drifted toward handbags and Gael got trapped beside a display of jackets worth more than Luke's education.
"You hate this already," Claire observed quietly while stepping beside him.
"Not gonna argue that."
She smiled faintly before lowering her voice slightly.
"You know Gloria invited you because she likes reactions."
"That sounds like a pain in the ass."
"That's because it is."
Claire picked up a handbag absentmindedly while Gloria crossed the store speaking animatedly with another employee.
Then:
"She flirts recreationally sotis."
Gael looked toward Claire more carefully.
"You look like you're used to it."
Claire sighed softly.
"I've known Gloria for years." She glanced toward her friend again. "Half the ti she doesn't even realize when she's doing it."
Which ant Gloria's recent escalation still hadn't fully registered consciously yet.
Then Gloria turned toward them holding two jackets.
"There you are."
Her eyes moved briefly over Gael before handing him one.
"Try this."
"It looks expensive."
"You are rich."
A few minutes later, Gael stepped out of the fitting room adjusting the sleeve of the jacket while Gloria visibly lit up.
Claire looked up from her phone.
Then paused.
Because the jacket suited him unfairly well:
dark fitted fabric,
sharp lines,
effortlessly expensive.
Gloria noticed Claire noticing.
"You see?" Gloria smiled slowly. "Modern taste."
Claire rolled her eyes lightly.
"You're enjoying this way too much."
"Of course I am."
The assistant complinted the fit while Gloria circled once around him critically like she personally curated the outfit.
Not subtle anymore.
Still technically harmless.
But the energy had shifted.
Claire felt it now, too.
Not enough to confront.
Enough to beco aware.
Then Gloria adjusted the collar lightly with both hands.
Close.
Comfortable.
Intentional.
Her fingers lingered half a second longer than necessary before she stepped back smiling.
"Perfect."
And for the briefest mont—
Claire's expression changed slightly while watching them.
Not suspicion.
Sothing more complicated.
Recognition.
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