Gabriella fingered the cream silk jacquard curtain in Rina’s living room and frowned.

“Elegant,” she conceded, “but it might let in too much light. I’ll have to check with Connor.”

Rina tossed her head with a flash of annoyance that Gabriella had no trouble reading: What gives you the right to step into my home and comment on my décor as if you’re the one in charge?

It was the first time they were meeting in person since Gabriella’s return from Bulgaria. Though she’d wondered whether this would be an opportunity to restart their relationship on a better foot, it had only taken a few minutes of her pacing Rina’s living room and giving a professional critique of the layout for the upcoming filming for Rina to flare up.

“Don’t bother,” Rina said. “I’m planning on redecorating before the shoot.”

Gabriella dropped the curtain abruptly and wheeled around. “Redecorating? Why in the world?”

“Well, right now my living room is a cross between classic and Art Deco, and I thought for the film we should go with a rustic look, to bridge the camp and Bulgaria scenes.”

Gabriella’s eyebrows shot up to her forehead. Was this woman for real? “I hardly think this is important enough to blow a budget—”

Rina waved her hand airily. “Who said anything about budget? This one is on my husband. Always fun to have an excuse to redecorate.” She gave Gabriella a knowing wink, as if she could appreciate the conspiracy, woman to woman.

Gabriella felt like gagging. She thought back to Melanie’s words: “Now there’s a lady who knows how to have fun in life.” And her own: “She’s just your typical rich lady who thinks she can buy her way through life.”

Was she jealous? She watched Rina, revolving slowly in place as she looked around the room, as if already contemplating the rustic makeover. No, she decided, even if she had a million dollars in the bank, she would never be a Rina. She closed her eyes. At least, she hoped not.

She cleared her throat. “Okay, so if you’re going to do this — uh — redecorating thing, make sure you consult Connor first about the drapery and floor plan. We’re not starting the filming until after Succos, so there’s plenty of time for you to do your rustic furniture shopping.” She tried to keep the sarcasm out of her voice, really she did, but somehow it crept in there anyway.

Not that Rina seemed to be paying attention. “Or maybe French Country,” she murmured, still looking around.

Gabriella rolled her eyes just as the front door opened.

“Hi, Mommy, I’m home, the baby’s adorab— oh!” Huvy stopped short as she walked into the room, turning pink at the sight of Gabriella. “Hi! I, uh, didn’t realize you got back from Bulgaria.”

Gabriella felt her familiar fondness for Huvy well up inside, and she walked over and gave the girl a hug. “It’s wonderful to see you! How was the rest of your summer?”

Huvy brightened. This wasn’t the first time that Gabriella had noticed how much the girl blossomed under even the slightest attention. “Baruch Hashem. My stepmother had a baby boy yesterday, and I just came back from visiting them in the hospital.”

“Mazel tov! What great news! Who does he look like?” She smiled at Huvy, inviting her into a conversation.

But before Huvy could respond, Rina said, scowling, “Why don’t we save the chatting for later? I’m on a tight schedule here.”

(Excerpted from Family First, Issue 622)