Page 63 of In this Moment

Chapter Fifteen

Jonah had begged her to have a sleepover at Brandon’s house and although Evie would normally insist that maybe they have the sleepover at their house, considering he’d been spending so much time with Brandon lately, she was grateful for the reprieve because all she wanted to do was be alone and feel sorry for herself.

Watching Declan walk away from her was the hardest thing she’d ever done. The moment the door shut behind him, her heart had shattered into a million pieces. She’d never felt the way she felt with Declan. So protected, so safe, so…loved.

And now it wasgone.

Because Declan was gone and it was her fault.

But would he have stayed?

And if he would have, would it have been real? He wasn’t with her because he loved her and that was the only thing she would settle for. Love. Nothingless.

And if Declan didn’t love her, it was better to have her heart broken now than to prolong it. That would only hurt more. And things were going to change enough with Jonah and Tony; she’d need to learn how to face things on herown.

The idea sent her into a new round of sobs. She pulled her blanket over her on the couch and hid from the world in her little cave. She knew she was being immature and childish. But maybe if she hid, all her problems would go away. She could hope anyway.

A knock on the door, followed by the doorbell, grabbed her attention, but she only pulled the blanket tighter around herhead.

She wasn’t done ignoring her problemsyet.

Another knock, followed by a voice calling out, “I can see you in there on the couch. Don’t ignoreme.”

Evie only barely recognized the voice as Tony’s wife, Lauren. But it couldn’t be. What on earth could the woman have to say toher?

Plenty.

“Open up. We need totalk.”

There was probably no avoiding it. With a groan, she threw the blanket off her head and pushed up from the couch. She had no idea how she looked, but she was pretty sure it wasn’t good. From the moment she’d been left alone, Evie had been crying and feeling sorry for herself. No doubt her eyes were red and bloodshot, her nose runny and her hair a tousledmess.

It didn’t matter.

She opened the door to see that Lauren didn’t look a whole lot better. She didn’t know the other woman well, but from the few times she’d met her, Lauren always looked put together and polished in her own kind ofway.

“Lauren. Is everythingokay?”

“No.” The other woman pushed her way past her into the house. “Everything is not okay and it’s all your fault.”

Evie could think of a few things that were definitely her fault, but whatever was going on between Tony and his wife had nothing to do withher.

“I told Tony it wasn’t a good idea.” She followed Lauren into the living room. “It was ridiculous because he loves youand—”

“Oh, I know.” She spun around and pointed a finger at Evie. “I know he loves me. I’m everything to him—I always have been. And do you knowwhy?”

Exhausted, Evie lifted and dropped her shoulders in a weak shrug. “I don’t know, Lauren.”

“Because I will always do what’s best for him. Because I put him first and I always will. Even if it breaks my heart, I would do it for him. And that goes double when it comes to Jonah. When it comes to his son, I will always do what isbest.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She was far too tired to continue the conversation. Besides, what she really wanted to do was get back to hiding in her couch cave. “Lauren, is there something—”

“It’s because of me that Tony reached out and reconnected with Jonah.”

“Connected.” She corrected her, but Lauren didn’t notice.

“Family is important,” Lauren continued. “Children are important. I would give my life if it meant that Tony and Jonah could be together. Did you knowthat?”

Of course she didn’t, but the question didn’t seem to need an answer.

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