“Mrs. Cane,” Bryson said.
Evie’s head jerked back. “How…?”
“I was supposed to perform surgery on her Yorkie, but it would have been too risky. Mrs. Cane was devastated, of course, but she was a trouper. She held Pinky in her arms through the entire euthanasia. She mentioned that she wanted to do something to honor Pinky’s life, and that’s when I told her about The Sanctuary.”
Evie’s jaw went slack, her eyes growing wider with disbelief as Bryson continued.
“I thought maybe she would give a nice donation,” Bryson said with a shrug of his broad shoulders. “But when I told her about the issue with the building, she said she would look into doing something more meaningful. Something that could keep Pinky’s memory alive forever.”
Evie put a hand up to her throat. She could scarcely believe what she was hearing.
“Bryson—”
“Ev, I’m sorry,” he said in an aching whisper. His voice had grown instantly hoarse with emotion. Remorse and regret saturated his earnest gaze as his eyes locked in on her.
He took a step forward.
“I amsosorry for the things I said to you. They were awful and they were untrue. You have to know that Cameron hadnothingto do with what has grown between us since I came back home. I never cared about seeking any type of revenge against him, and I… I don’t know why I said those things, Ev.” He ran a hand down his face. “Actually, Idoknow why.”
Evie had to clear her throat before asking in the most indifferent voice she could muster, “Why?”
“It’s because I still struggle with my own insecurities,” Bryson answered. “It doesn’t matter how many speeches I give, or awards I receive, it never feels like enough. Cameron knows that, and he preyed upon my lack of self-confidence that day outside the restaurant.”
“Cameron did that,” Evie said. “So why did you say such awful things tome?”
He looked up at her, his eyes teeming with guilt. “You were an easy target.”
Evie bit her trembling lower lip. She cursed the emotions trying to take hold of her, but a lifetime of feeling as if she didn’t measure up to the rest of her family wouldn’t allow her to close the door on the empathy welling within her chest.
“I know it’s asking a lot for you to forgive me,” Bryson said. “But I hope you can, Evie. I promise to never hurt you again. All I’m asking for is one more chance to prove that I’m worthy of your love.”
Evie’s heart hammered against her chest as the longing she’d tried to stanch since she last saw him rushed over her.
She felt several tears roll down her cheeks as she closed the distance between them.
“Is this yes?” Bryson whispered.
She couldn’t speak. The most she could manage was a nod.
Evie felt him shudder against her. Bryson captured her jaw between his palms and brushed at her tears with his thumbs. He pressed the gentlest, sweetest kisses to the spots he’d just wiped.
“I amsosorry,” he said again.
He moved to her lips, skimming them with his, then leaned his forehead against hers.
“I swear, if it takes the rest of my lifetime, I will make this up to you.”
“I don’t want you to spend the rest of your life making anything up to me, Bryson.” She took his hands in hers, the leashes they both held rubbing her palm. “I want you to spend the rest of your lifelovingme. That would be enough.”
“You’ve owned my heart for nearly a decade already, Evie.” He brought their clasped hands to his lips and kissed the backs of her fingers. “It’s yours. Forever.”
EPILOGUE
Ev. Evie!”
Evie heard her name being called over the din of the crowd crammed on The PX’s main floor. She looked toward where the voice had come from and spotted Ashanti and Thad sitting at the bar that spanned the majority of the downstairs space.
“Over here!” Ashanti waved them over.
