That’s odd. Evan took countless calls in front of me when we were at the cabin, and never seemed this rattled.
Within thirty seconds he’s back. What kind of phone call ends that quickly?
“Hey babe, so bad news. Something came up at work. An emergency, and I’m going to have to take off,” he says.
My shoulders slump and unease begins to build in my stomach. “Oh okay. Is everything alright?”
“Nothing to worry about,” he says as he looks over his shoulder. “But I’ve got to get going, so I’ll pay the bill and leave you with Teddy, he can drive you to my place. I should be home in a few hours.”
Something’s not right. Evan’s acting weird and I don’t know how to call him out on it, but I guess there’s nothing I can do about it now.
“No, that's fine. I’d rather Teddy drop me off at my place,” I say flatly. Evan’s face bunches up, but I continue. “We were supposed to meet tomorrow anyways. Besides, I need to pack a bag. I need a shower and my nighttime routine stuff. It actually works out better this way,” I lie.
Evan eyes me for a few moments, but seems to be distracted enough to not call me on my lie. This isn’t great. He’s great at calling me on my bullshit, something must really be off.
“Okay, let’s go babe. I’ll walk you to the car.” Evan sighs.
We make our way out of the restaurant and cross the sideway to the waiting car. He opens my door for me, and I climb in.
“You sure you don’t want to stay the night? Teddy can drive you to your place to pack, then bring you back to mine? Or I can come to your place once I’m done?” he asks eagerly.
I put my hand on his cheek. “I had a great time tonight. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I lean over and place a small peck on his lips. When I try to pull back, he holds me in place, deepening our kiss.
That’s my Evan.
“Text me when you’re going to bed. I wanna wish you goodnight.” He places one more kiss on my lips, then leans back to give me one final look before closing the door.
He looks distressed. Something is worrying Evan.
My mind immediately makes me think that LC is another woman, but I can’t let my situation with Sebastián taint my new relationship with Evan. I won’t let it.
I need to remind myself that Evan now lives in a different world than me. He probably has stressors that I can’t even imagine. I need to trust him.
These are the thoughts running through my mind as the car pulls out into the street, pulling me further away from Evan.
32
Evan
It’snine AM and I’m knocking on Amelia’s apartment door.
Leaving her last night was the last thing I wanted to do, but I guess that’s what I get for letting my past creep up on me.
I knew the second she got in the car her mind was spinning, and I need to make sure she doesn’t get the wrong idea.
Finally, a groggy Amelia opens the front door. “Hi,” she croaks.
My heart swells in my chest at the sight of her. She’s wearing my t-shirt as a nightgown. The same t-shirt I gave her the first time she came to my apartment and stole my bed from me.
She yawns as she wipes sleep from her eyes. “What are you doing here?” She frowns. “I thought I was meeting you at your place.”
“I couldn’t wait another second to see you. And I brought breakfast.” I lift a brown paper bag and a rectangular donut box with my right hand. “And of course, coffee.” I push the coffee tray in my left hand towards her.
She offers me a half smile and takes the coffees as I enter her apartment and close the door behind me.
Fuck, she seems off.
We sit at her tiny high top table for two that’s pushed off to the wall.
