The moment we stepped inside, the smell of pot roast enveloped us. On any other day, it would have made my mouth water. Today, it made me nauseous.
“There you boys are!” Evelyn called, her voice cheerful as always. “Was beginning to think I’d have to eat all this by my lonesome.”
I couldn’t look at her. Couldn’t bear to see that knowing expression again. I busied myself washing my hands at the sink, taking longer than necessary.
“Jesse was hiding in the barn again,” Cole said, hanging up his coat. “Had to drag him out.”
“Well, I’m glad you did,” Evelyn replied. I felt her eyes on my back. “A young man needs to eat, especially with all the work you two have been doing.”
I dried my hands slowly, finally turning to face the table. Cole had already taken his usual seat. Evelyn was placing a basket of rolls in the center. There was nowhere to run.
I sat down, keeping my eyes on my plate as Evelyn served the pot roast. The silence stretched uncomfortably until Cole cleared his throat.
“This looks great, Evelyn,” he said. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure,” she replied, settling into her chair. “It’s nice to have both of you home for dinner for a change.”
I felt her gaze on me again and risked a glance up. Our eyes met briefly before I looked away, but it was enough to confirm my fears. She knew. And she was waiting for one of us to say something.
“So,” she continued casually, “I ran into Caroline Whitaker at the grocery store today. She was just raving about what a wonderful time everyone had at their New Year’s party.”
Oh god. No. Not here. Not like this.
I fought to keep my face neutral, stabbing at a piece of pot roast with my fork. My hand was shaking so badly I had to grip the utensil tighter to hide it.
“That’s nice,” I mumbled, shoving food into my mouth so I wouldn’t have to speak further.
“She mentioned seeing you both there,” Evelyn continued, cutting her meat with deliberate precision. “Said Jesse was quite the hit with some of the ladies. Caroline’s niece couldn’t stop asking about you.”
Cole’s head snapped up at that, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Is that right?”
“Too bad she’s barking up the wrong tree, huh?” Evelyn added with a grin.
I nearly choked on my food. Was this Evelyn’s game? To pretend nothing had happened while dropping these little bombs?
“I didn’t notice,” I managed after swallowing. “I spent most of the night outside. Too crowded in there.”
“Mmm,” Evelyn hummed, taking a sip of her water. “The view from that back deck is something special, isn’t it? Especially at midnight on New Year’s Eve.”
The fork slipped from my fingers, clattering against the plate. Cole looked at me sharply, confusion written across his features. I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. She was toying with us, drawing it out like a cat with a wounded mouse.
“I... I need some water,” I stammered, rising abruptly from my chair. My knee banged against the table, making the dishes rattle.
In the kitchen, I gripped the edge of the sink, trying to steady my breathing. This was exactly what I’d been afraid of. Evelyn knew, and now she was going to tell Cole, and then everything would fall apart. He’d blame me. He’d hate me. He’d?—
“You okay there, Jesse?”
I spun around to find Evelyn standing in the kitchen doorway, concern etched on her face. Or was it judgment? I couldn’t tell anymore.
“I’m fine,” I lied, filling a glass with shaking hands. “Just... tired.”
She stepped closer, lowering her voice. “You’ve been avoiding the house. Avoiding Cole. Is it because of what I saw at the party?”
There it was. Out in the open. I closed my eyes briefly, wishing I could disappear. “Evelyn, I?—”
“I’m not judging you, honey,” she said softly, surprising me. “Lord knows it’s not my place.”
I stared at her, searching for any sign of disgust or disapproval, but found only gentle concern. “You’re not?”
