Page 68 of If You Love Me

Jaclynn hugged me again before going back behind her desk. Ms. Lacey draped an arm around my shoulder and led me toward her office. Of course, we had to make a few pit stops along the way so I could greet a few of the old team. Everyonehad the same reaction, and it made me feel good to know that I was missed.

Back in Ms. Lacey’s office, I settled into the plush chair while she took a seat behind her desk.

“I have to ask… how are things?”

“Let’s just say I’m not where I was before. I’m in therapy. I’m getting to know my baby girl. That’s been amazing.”

She smiled. “She’s adorable. Every time I see her with Tyrion, I just have to tell him what a great job he’s doing with her.”

“He did an amazing job. She knew exactly who I was because of him.”

Her hand flew to her heart. “I love that. So… how are things with you two? I um… I know he’s engaged. I can imagine things are awkward.”

“They were at first. I have a lot of feelings about that, including being unfairly upset that he moved on. He actually broke off the engagement. I won’t go into detail, but… it’s a lot of shit.”

“Are you two gonna work it out?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. My heart loves that man.”

“You two were always one of my favorite young couples. I remember him bringing you lunch every day during your internship back when you were kids. I knew then you were going to marry him. I hate that tragedy put so much time in between you two. I’m not gonna get in your business much longer, but I will say this. If you believe it’s worth it, fight for it, honey. Ain’t too many good men left out here.” She raised her hands in mock surrender. “Now, I’m off my soapbox. You ready to get back to work?”

“Very ready.”

“You know, things are forever changing in the design world. If you come back, you have to come back ready to learn and apply.”

“I’ve got this. I’ve already been looking up current trends.”

Ms. Lacey clapped. “That’s my girl. So I’ll see you bright and early Monday morning?”

“Wait… that’s it? I can have my job back?”

“I know you, Evenie. I know what you are capable of, and you were one of my best designers. I’d be crazy not to bring you back. We can do your paperwork right now if you want.”

My heart raced with excitement. “Yes!”

I sat there smiling hard as hell as she began gathering everything for the new hire packet. I knew it was going to be a big change getting back into the work field, but I needed it. If things didn’t work out with Tyrion, I still needed a way to support me and Summer. Even though I knew he would take care of her, I was her mother. I had to fulfill my motherly duties with or without him.

21

Tyrion

I’d taken a much-needed day off from work to relax my mind after the weekend I had. Today didn’t make shit any better. I thought we were going to have a nice breakfast with our daughter, but my wife had other plans. Granted, breakfast was nice; I just wasn’t expecting to get pulled into what could’ve been a WWE match.

I wasn’t naïve to the fact that Iona would still see Summer. I mean, she worked at her school. I just didn’t want her trying that petty shit in front of Evenie. There was no need to throw it in her face that she and my baby loved each other. I didn’t believe she would hurt her to get back at either one of us, but there was a time and a place for everything.

I did feel a little bad about her getting socked in the mouth, but she had it coming. It was a wonder that Evenie hadn’t put hands on her in front of everybody when we walked into the school. If she had, Nina was bound to jump in, and that would have caused a world of problems for us all.

Instead of going home, I went to my parents’ house. I knew they would give me some sound advice without playing the blame game. I’d spoken to both of them before I started dating Iona. They’d asked me a thousand times if I was sure I was ready. The one thing nobody asked was what would I do if Evenie came back. Though we’d all held hope in our hearts, I didn’t think any of us had ever expected it to happen.

So much time had passed. She’d been considered a missing person, but the search for her had long since stopped. In my mind, if we got her back, it would be a recovery, not a rescue. I guess she proved us all wrong.

I pulled into the driveway of my childhood home around ten and got out of my car. My mother was sitting on the porch, sipping what I knew to be coffee, and reading the morning paper. She smiled as I ascended the front steps.

“Isn’t this a nice surprise,” she said, setting her mug down. She stood and pulled me into a hug. “How are you, baby?”

I shook my head. “I’m here, Ma, but I’ve been better.”

She pulled away and cupped my face. “Come inside and we can talk about it.”

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