Page 28 of If You Love Me

“I don’t think I can fit those,” Evenie said, looking down at her body. “I’m not exactly the same size I was ten years ago.”

“Then you can wear something of mine tonight, and we’ll go pick you up a few things tomorrow.”

“I couldn’t let you do that,” she protested.

“It’s not a problem, love.”

That time, I couldn’t pull back the frown fast enough. I guess Mr. David caught it because he went into his pocket and pulled out his wallet.

“Baby girl, Daddy’s got you,” he said, fishing out his black card. “Get whatever you need.”

Nina grinned. “Okay, big spender! Mr. David, I’m practically your daughter, too, you know.”

He chuckled. “Get yourself something nice, Nina.”

She squealed as she went to hug him. “Thank you,” she said, plucking the card from his fingers. “I’m coming to get you in the morning,” she said to Evenie. “Me, you, and the girls are gonna have a ball.”

I looked over at Tyrion, who seemed a little bummed that Nina had swooped in for the shopping trip. I had to get out of here. Pushing off from the table, I stood.

“I’m gonna get going,” I said.

“Do you want me to box that up?” Mrs. Pauline asked. “You barely touched your food.”

I couldn’t tell if she was being funny or not, but I didn’t like that shit. Still, I remained calm as I answered her.

“It’s okay. I don’t have much of an appetite. I guess it’s all the excitement. Y’all have a nice night. Evenie… welcome back.”

“Wait,” she said. “You don’t live here?”

Tyrion spoke up. “Iona is moving in after the wedding.”

Evenie looked between us. “Hmm. And when is that?”

“June of next year.”

“Well…” she said, clasping her hands together. “I guess you’ll have to tell me all about your wedding plans, huh?”

I gave a tight-lipped smile. “I guess I will.” I motioned Summer over to give her a hug. “You be a good girl and have fun. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

I could tell that stung Evenie just a little. The petty in me wouldn’t let me just walk out of the house. The part of me that wanted her to know this was my man walked over to Tyrion. I palmed his face with my left hand, making sure she could see my beautiful engagement ring, and leaned in to kiss him.

“I love you,” I said, swiping my lipstick from his lips.

I didn’t wait for him to say it back before I sashayed my pretty ass right on out the front door.

9

Tyrion

Last night didn’t go at all how I wanted it to. After Iona walked in, it was just a fucking disaster. When I told her we needed to talk, I didn’t think she was as close to the house as she was. The look of heartbreak in Evenie’s eyes when I introduced her as my fiancée broke my own damn heart. I never wanted to tell her like that.

The trip home would have been the perfect time to break the news, but how the fuck did you tell your wife some shit like that? Sure, she was gone a long time, but we were still technically married, and I still very much loved her. I’d gone as far as saying the words and kissing the woman. Hearing that I was marrying another woman had to feel like a slap in the face.

Then there was dinner last night.

I could feel the sting of jealousy radiating from Iona every time she caught me glancing in Evenie’s direction. The whole spiel before she left was unnecessary. I knew she loved Summer. Summer knew she loved her. She didn’t have to make a spectacle of it or bring me into the shit by kissing me in front of my wife.

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