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She retreats a step with each forward one I take. “I’m sick to my stomach.”

“Is it the flu?” I still approach her because she looks so vulnerable. All I want to do is take her in my arms. “Do you need to see a doctor? I know one who will do a house call.”

Her bottom lip trembles. “It’s not the flu.”

She’s never shared any health concerns with me, but still panic sets in. “Is it something more serious? I want to know.”

“I’m not sick,” she says through a sigh. “Cleo caught me in a weak moment. I wasn’t feeling well because I was in shock. It was her idea to send me home.”

I step closer. “Shock from what?”

She tilts her chin up to lock eyes with me. “I overheard you talking to Baden and Vance about Randall and Charlotte.”

I trace back to that conversation in my mind. We touched on a few subjects, including the couple and their businesses. “What did you overhear?”

Her head shakes slightly. “You’re his best man because you want to get your hands on his business, Reid. You want Charlotte’s, too. Is that why you’re in their wedding party? Was all of that to pad your bottom line?”

The words come at me in quick succession. Each question hits harder than the last. How the fuck did I not hear her approaching us this morning? Why didn’t I smell the sweet rose-scented fragrance of her skin?

How the hell did I fuck up so royally?

“Evie, let me explain.” I exhale harshly. “Please.”

The door to her apartment swings back open as Charlotte’s footsteps signal her return. “This smoothie smells so freaking delicious. You’re going to be good as new before the wedding.”

Evie looks past me to gift her friend with a smile. What I wouldn’t give for one of those right now. I’d settle for a frown. I’d be happy with anything, but she’s giving me nothing.

Her phone chimes, so she tugs it back out of her pocket. “Baden just authorized my requested time off.”

Lost, I shake my head. “What?”

She finally looks at me again. “You gave me Thursday and Friday off, but I asked him for tomorrow and Wednesday, too. He agreed. He sent me a text saying I could have it with pay.”

She turns her phone so I can view the screen, but I ignore it to stare at her face. The joy that is usually there is gone. Her eyes look empty. Her expression is unreadable.

“Oh, my God!” Charlotte shrieks as she races toward us. “That gives you extra time to rest before the wedding. Thank this Baden person for me, too.”

Evie nods. “I will. I think I’ll rest now.”

I’m not the smartest man alive, but I’m also not an idiot. I can take a hint when it hits me over the head like a hammer. She wants me out.

“I’ll stay while you rest,” Charlotte offers. “I can heat up some of the soup Reid brought when you feel up to eating. I’ll put the flowers in water now.”

I watch the way the two women look at each other. I see something there I didn’t realize existed before this moment. They’ve become friends. They’re obviously important to each other.

“We’ll see you at the rehearsal dinner.” Charlotte motions toward the door. “Thanks for stopping by, Reid.”

It’s painfully obvious that Evangeline wants me out of her sight, so I grant her that wish and leave, wondering if things between us will ever be the same again.

CHAPTER SEVENTY

Evie

I haven’t hada moment to myself since I overheard Reid’s conversation with Baden and Vance two days ago. That’s because after spending no more than ten minutes in one of the uncomfortable chairs in my apartment, Lottie announced that she would be a much better nurse for me if we went to her place.

Not one to turn down a few hours in the lap of luxury, I agreed with that plan. It turned into a two-night sleepover. Lottie called someone about giving us a ride from my building to hers. A few minutes later, a man came up to my apartment and carried down everything Reid had brought over, including the roses and the soup.

I spent most of my time since then in Lottie’s guestroom with tears in my eyes as I tried to come to terms with the fact that the man I’ve been spending most of my time with the past few weeks and the man I overheard talking business to his partners about the soon-to-be bride and groom are one and the same.

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