I shrug, but the question hits differently now that I’ve been alone in his house. It’s quiet, empty… lonely.
She grabs my arm, eyes bright with a grin. “What if he had a secret crush on you and came over just to see you?”
I laugh, swatting her hand away. “Please. He came to see my brother, not me. So don’t even put that idea in your head.”
She raises an eyebrow. “Okay, Mrs. Lincoln.”
I groan. “Come on, stop making up stories, and let’s go look around.”
As we walk through, she glances over. “Has he texted since he left?”
“Maybe,” I admit, shrugging. “He just checked in earlier, making sure I’m not trashing the place.”
“What did you say?”
“I told him I’m hosting a party and destroying his house.”
She bursts out laughing. “No way!”
“Oh, yes, I did.” I show her the text, and she laughs even harder. Oliver hasn’t responded yet, so I put my phone away and take her on the tour.
When we reach his office, Evelyn stops dead in her tracks, her mouth falling open when she spots my painting on the wall.
“Wait, is that yours?” She moves closer.
“It is.”
She peers over her shoulder at me with a raised eyebrow. “And he has it displayed in his office? Karley, do you know what this means? He’s had your work this whole time.”
“It’s probably just something his mom gave him.”
She turns to face me. “In his private office? Nobody keeps art they don’t love in their workspace.”
I open and close my mouth, unable to find the right words. Lucky for me, she gets distracted by a medical book on his shelf.
By the time we’re back in the living room, Evelyn flops onto the sofa. “I think I need a nap after that.”
“I know, it’s crazy. I’ve never seen a house like this,” I say, looking around. “It doesn’t feel real.”
Evelyn nods, eyes shining. “And those arched windows... I mean, wow. Have you ever seen ceilings this tall?”
“Never.” I laugh.
She perks up. “Hey, we didn’t snoop in his room!”
“No way,” I say, shaking my head and crossing my arms. “I don’t want him going through my stuff, so I won’t go through his. I saw it briefly. Trust me, that’s enough.”
She huffs. “Fine, but have you told him they’re yours?”
I shake my head vehemently. “No, and I’m not telling him.” I feel a twinge of anxiety just thinking about it.
She gives me a reassuring look. “That’s fine. I won’t say anything.”
I sigh, uncrossing my arms. “Thanks. I just can’t... It's hard to explain, but the thought of people knowing who I am makes me freeze. I just can’t handle it.”
Sensing my discomfort, she nudges me gently. “So, how’s work?”
“Nice change of subject,” I say, smirking.
