Page 32 of I Knew He Was Trouble
“I’ll talk to you soon.” The second Evie is out of the frame, tears stream down my sister’s face.
My protective instincts kick in, making me wish I could reach through the screen and hug her. Do something—anything—to ease her pain. My sister has already gone through so much.
“She’s doing fine, Tess. Really.” I smile warmly, hoping my positivity will transfer through the screen and fill her too.
“I know. I just miss her so much it hurts, and we’re not even a full week in.” Tess lets her face fall into her hands.
Seeing her so distraught breaks my heart. I’ll make it my mission to ensure she never has to leave Evie again. If I have to travel with Tess back to Africa to watch Evie, I’ll take a sabbatical at work. I just can’t bear to see her upset like this. She shouldn’t have to deal with any of this alone. Julian, Evie’s father and Tess’s ex-husband, should be there taking care of them and providing for their needs.
I glance at Evie as she pulls on her light-up shoes. I’ll never understand how that man gave up his parental rights like it was nothing and left my kind, caring sister for some woman who was barely twenty and only wanted him for his bank account.
“Please don’t tell me you’re thinking about punching Julian again.”
My brows furrow. “How did you—”
“Your eyes take on this primal look whenever you think about him.”
I blow out an exasperated breath. “How could I not after what he did to you?”
She sighs. “I’ve let it go, Tyler. Holding on to resentment and anger only would’ve hurt me. You need to let it go too.”
“I can’t make any promises.” I run a hand through my hair. “Are you really okay out there? You look tired.”
“The three words every woman wants to hear.” She laughs. “I am tired, but it also feels like this is what I was created to do.”
“You’ve always had a heart for helping others.”
Tess’s brow quirks. “Speaking of helping others…you should let me help you figure out what to say to get Kelsey to agree to go on a date with you. I’m sure she must find you obnoxious, especially since you’re her neighbor. You have a lot of work to do, and I—”
I roll my eyes. “Bye, Tess.”
Her laughter sounds like pure joy, and I’m happy she’s leaving this conversation feeling a little lighter. “Love you, bye.”
The call clicks off, and I meet Evie by the front door.
“Nowcan I know what we’re doing?” she asks, tapping her foot impatiently.
“We’re going to go for a hike and stop at the grilled cheese restaurant you love on the way home.” I grab my backpack filled with the essentials like a first aid kit, snacks, and water, and we walk out the front door.
She pumps her fist in the air. “Yes! Can we go now?”
“Of course.” I laugh.
“Can we get ice cream too?” she asks while I lock the front door behind us.
“We’ll see.” But I know I’d never be able to deny her the sweet treat. I try to take care of my body and be conscientious of what I put in it, but ice cream is a guilty pleasure.
I turn to walk to the car, and Evie is nowhere in sight. Frantically spinning around, I spot her over on Kelsey’s front porch.Splendid.
I slowly walk toward them and overhear their conversation.
“I’m taking Winston on a hike,” Kelsey explains as she clips on the dog’s leash.
Evie gasps. “That’s what Uncle Ty said we’re doing.”
Kelsey’s gaze skirts to me, and the eye contact brings me back to the dance studio. I’m pulled back into the moment her hands are in my hair. Her body pressed up against mine.
I shove my hands in my jeans pockets and avert my gaze, needing to get a grip on my errant thoughts. “Since it rained earlier this week, I thought I’d take her to Hemlock Cliffs to see the waterfalls.”
