“Would it be such a bad thing if you did?”
Evie didn’t want to give voice to that feeling she couldn’t shake, that thing that hovered at the periphery of her brain, nagging her. But if there was anyone she could share it with, it was these two.
“What if he leaves?” she asked. “He did it once before. What if he leaves again without a word?”
“He wouldn’t do that,” Ashanti said.
“I didn’t think he would the first time,” Evie said. “But he did.”
“That was different. He switched veterinary programs.”
“He could get another job offer somewhere else just as easily as he switched programs as a student,” Evie said. “The probability is even higher now. He’s an in-demand, world-renowned surgeon. I’m sure he gets offers from around the country on a daily basis.”
Silence fell over the room, something that rarely happenedwhen the three of them were together. Then Ridley said, “Start dropping those tracking devices around his house.”
Evie rolled her eyes.
“I’m serious. Just bring one or two with you every time you go to his place, and tuck them in his jacket pockets, suitcase, shoes.”
“Shoes?”
“Well, hell, I don’t know. I’m trying to help.”
“Maybe you need to have this conversation with Bryson,” Ashanti said. “Let him know that the way he left is still an issue for you.”
“You’re probably right,” Evie said.
The thing is, she and Bryson had already had that conversation. Yet, something about his explanation for why he’d left didn’t sit right with her. It was like Doc Landry’s incomplete story about all that was happening with The Sanctuary. Something in her gut told her that Bryson was holding back.
Maybe Ashantiwasright. Maybe it was time she and Bryson got everything out in the open.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Bryson tracked the headlights driving toward him, trying to make out the model of the vehicle. It passed his Jeep and he noticed Evie’s mass of curls behind the steering wheel. He watched in his rearview mirror as she turned into the driveway of the house next door, backed out, and came back toward him, pulling up to the curb in front of her own house.
He waited until she opened her door before grabbing Bella and getting out of his Jeep.
She caught sight of him when he was still a couple of yards away.
“Hey! What are you doing here?” Evie asked.
She opened the back door and unleashed Waffles from his car seat. When she set him down, he immediately ran to Bella. The two started their sniffing ritual. It had become a thing that took place no matter how many times they saw each other in a day.
“I thought I would drop by,” Bryson answered with a shrug. “I was hoping you wouldn’t mind some company for a little while.”
“Not at all,” she said. She looked him up and down. “I can even be talked into a sleepover.”
“Ugh, don’t say that,” Bryson said, slapping his hand to his chest. “I can’t do a sleepover tonight. My parents’ flight from Fort Lauderdale gets in just after ten o’clock. They’re spending the night at my place and I’m driving them home tomorrow. Dr. Blake is finally well enough to come back to work, so no more fourteen-hour shifts for me. At least for now.”
“Thank goodness,” Evie said. “I know this has been exhausting for you. And your parents finally get to see your new condo! That’s exciting!”
“Yeah, I just have to make sure there isn’t any lacy underwear hiding in plain sight.”
“Ha ha,” she deadpanned.
Bryson tried to smile, but it felt forced. Evie picked up on it right away.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
