Chapter
Thirty-Three
EVIE
Adrian looked like a smug douchebag when Evie met up with him. How had she ever been attracted to this asswipe?
She’d chosen neutral ground, insisting on a meeting that bridged the thirty-minute commute between their two households.
Evie had come alone to the quiet cafe - well, not really. Gabe, Shepherd and Asher had refused to let her face this on her own. But she appreciated that they’d put aside their stubborn, possessive concern for long enough to allow her to do this by herself. She needed to for her own peace of mind. She had to stand up to Adrian so he was in no doubt that he’d never be able to manipulate her like this again.
They weren’t far away, of course, that really would have been too much to ask, but secretly, Evie loved that they were so considerate of her. They were probably brooding together in Gabe’s comfortable SUV, which they’d insisted on parking just down the street.
By comparison, Adrian had Brandi hanging off his arm once again, looking equally superior and self-satisfied. Evie looked, quite clinically, from one to the other, and decided the two of them deserved each other.
“So, I assume you’ve come to a decision,” Adrian said haughtily.
Son of a biscuit, this arrogant bastard was in for a shock.
Evie put on her best, nonchalant face and tossed her hair back. This was going to be the acting performance of her life.
“I have, and I think you’re right,” she replied with an insouciance she was far from feeling.
A wide smile wreathed across Brandi’s face, but it was Adrian’s supercilious countenance that had Evie wanting to ram her fist through it. And she, who was normally so amenable. She couldn’t wait to wipe away that arrogant, pompous expression.
“Yes, what with the bakery, and nowthreemen to keep me busy, I could do without the added responsibility.”
Asher had coached her insistently on exactly what she should say, but it took a while for it to sink in with her ex.
Adrian frowned. “What do you mean?”
Evie shrugged. “I mean, I accept your offer to take full custody of Ollie. It will make things so much easier for me. No more school runs or having to work out childcare for the holidays.” The words wanted to stick in her throat, and they might have if it wasn’t for the dawning horror on Adrian’s face, which kept her going; kept her in character.
“I’ll be free to enjoy my newfound wealth. Take some of those holidays I’ve always wanted. Honestly, I can’t thank you enough for suggesting it.”
Brandi’s mouth gaped open, and Adrian started to pale beneath his fake winter tan, but Evie pressed home her advantage. This asshole was never going to get the better of her again. “So, when do you want this to happen? Is this weekendtoo soon? I can have his stuff packed up, but, silly me, you’ll probably just want to buy everything new, won’t you?”
“Now wait a minute,” Adrian spluttered. “Let’s not be too hasty about this. It’s a big step after all, and I wasn’t expecting you to be quite so, ah, amenable.”
The shock on Adrian’s face was almost enough to make her laugh, except that it proved Asher right about her ex-husband’s machinations.
“Nonsense, we should just get on with it. You have Brandi at home to take care of all the daily drudgery like school and homework, dinners, bathtime and bedtime, while you’re at work, so it’s not like you need to find childcare.”
“Wait, what?!” Brandi screeched. “I never agreed to any of that shit!”
Evie stared at the woman and made her eyes wide. “Well, what did you think was going to happen, sweetie? Children take time and energy, and a lot of commitment. I’ve got to admit, I was surprised you were so prepared for this after you brought Ollie home early from your holiday, but it’s good you’ve had a change of heart.”
“Now look here!” Brandi stood up so sharply, her chair fell back and clattered on the floor. She looked between Adrian to Evie as if she couldn’t work out which of them had tricked her. Clearly, this was an outcome that neither of them had ever predicted. If they had, if they'd thought just for a single second about the kind of woman, the type of mother, she really was, they could have double-bluffed, and Evie would have folded like a house of cards. But people like this judged others by their own behavior, and their own behavior was rotten and self-serving.
“This isnotwhat I agreed to. I’m far too young to give up my lifestyle for a child. Especially some snotty little brat who’s not even mine!” With that, she flounced out of the cafe, and Evie had to battle to school her features, though she wasn’t sure whichemotions would show first. The rage she felt at how Brandi had talked about her son, or the fist pump she wanted to pull, that Asher had been right all along.
Adrian gaped, his mouth opening and closing like a fish, and Evie struggled for nonchalance.
“Well...” She said, pushing up against the table to stand. “Looks like you don’t have all your childcare necessities covered after all. But don’t worry,” she flicked her wrist as if it was no more than a minor setback. “I’m not unreasonable. I’ll give you a week to sort things out, and you can ring me when you’re ready to take him.”
Adrian said nothing. Evie wasn’t sure he was capable, since he sat there, stunned, with his mouth gaping open. Instead, she banked the satisfaction threatening to erupt and walked away.
Epilogue
