Livvy licked her lips. So, a lot.
They wound through the deli and produce section, each step taking her back to her past, the sight of the floral section and the yellow roses there forcing her to avert her eyes. The store had essentially been rebuilt as a perfect replica of the C&O that had burned down. The tiles were the same, the fixtures upgraded, but familiar. Though she’d had no interest in the running of this business, she knew this store intimately.
Eve stopped in front of the bakery and pointed to something behind the glass. It took Livvy a second to understand. When she read the sign perched in front of the desserts, she inhaled deeply.
Olivia’s Cannoli, the tiny sign read.
He’d teasingly brought her here when they were dating to show her the sign he’d had the bakers make. It wasn’t uncommon—John had a cookie in here with his name on it. Their families wouldn’t have noticed in corporate, or if they had, would have only rolled their eyes.
It’s my favorite dessert,Nicholas had whispered.
The envelope burned in her hand. She looked down and pulled out the sheet of paper inside. Coordinates, printed at the top, ones she recognized instantly.
And underneath:All your nights. Everyone can know.
Tears burned. That asshole. That beautiful asshole.
When footsteps approached her, she swiped her hand over her eyes. It wouldn’t do to actively sob in front of Eve.
The other woman held out a white bakery box. “For the two of you.”
Livvy automatically accepted the box. “You’re really okay with this?” she demanded. “With him and me? Even knowing what a shit storm this is going to unleash?”
“I am.”
“It wasn’t so long ago you hated me.”
“I didn’t hate you.”
“You sounded like you did.”
“I’m...” Eve looked down at her hands. “I was mad at you.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Not because of your father.” She glanced up, her face red. “I’m not proud of this. I was mad you left.”
“You mean after the accident?”
“Yes. You left. After that night, it was like everyone left, except Nicholas. And even he changed. I felt like I lost everyone. My mother, my father, my brother and... you. My sister.”
“Oh, Eve.”
Her dark eyes glinted. “I missed you until I got mad at you. I told you, I’m not proud of my behavior. I’m sorry.”
Livvy bit her lip. “I’m sorry too. I should have...” What? Friended Eve on Facebook? Texted her? She’d had no idea if the girl would welcome or hate her.
“No. There was nothing you could have done. Don’t feel bad.” Eve wrinkled her nose. “I’m a grown woman. I should be able to separate childish abandonment issues from reality. It was my fault, and it won’t happen again.”
“I thought about you quite a bit over the years.” Out of necessity, she’d had to eventually stop wondering how Eve was. She hadn’t very well been able to ask Nicholas about Eve when she saw him annually. Googling her—which she’d done, a time or two—had resulted in more than a few public records but nothing of note.
Another casualty to the feud.
Eve nodded slowly. “That makes me feel really good.”
Livvy tucked the card under the flap of the bakery box. “Even if you’re okay with us, I bet your father won’t be.”
A faint smile played over Eve’s lips. “Just a guess, Livvy, but going by the small fortune my brother spent to hang a giant announcement outside and close this store, I don’t think Nicholas cares. And you don’t seem like the type to care either.”
