Page 123 of Five Days to Be Mine

I catch the smile on her face, her eyes widening in amazement.

“I can’t believe this. Wendy posted the pieces I did for her party on her socials and my phone is blowing up with all these tags. I have a request to meet with a friend of hers today.”

I am super happy for Mara, but that’s not why I am grinning huge. I wasn’t sure what to do with her while I set up our scene, but this is perfect.

“You’re going to take it, right?”

“Yes! I’m going to reply and tell them I’ll meet them at the studio at one.”

“Good. I’m happy for you.” I drop a kiss on her forehead.

“Thanks, Evan. this wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t given me the space.”

“This success is all yours, princess.” I whistle as I make my way into the shower, immensely satisfied that the little help I gave Mara has paid off.

***

When I’m dressed and out of the shower, I start making breakfast and once I have it nearly finished, I call Noel.

He answers after four rings. “Evan? Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“This is kind of early for you.”

I smile at my older brother’s dry tone.

“I already have coffee. Had breakfast.”

“How did the Valentine’s Day dinner go last night?” I hear Holly’s voice in the background, Noel’s mumbled reply.

A sharp pain of jealousy circulates through my blood.

I want what they have so badly; the passion and the mundane of the domestic.

Then I remember the shell of a brother I had after his first wife died and feel like a complete ass for being jealous.

“Fantastic. Sorry you guys missed it.” I can’t keep sitting down.

I stand, pacing in front of the windows.

“Evan, are you going to tell me what this breakfast phone call is about?”

Noel always knows when I have something on my mind.

“I am very serious about Mara,” I say.

And I wince because it sounds like we are discussing the year-end reports.

“I like her so much, Noel.”

“I’d be a hypocrite if I said that was fast.”

“Much slower than you and Holly. We at least had one date before this week.” I can’t help but grin, remembering Noel’s advice.

“So what are you going to do about it?”

That’s Noel, right to the next point of action.

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