“Talk to me, Nick. What’s going on?”
I turned to look at him as he waited for me to dump all my troubles on him. His green eyes were soft and the windows into a truly kind soul.
“I’m kinda sad.”
“Really? I hadn’t noticed.” He grinned at me, trying to lighten my mood. But my eyes had other ideas and pooled with unshed tears.
I wiped them away as Evan scooted closer to rest his big thigh next to mine. His muscled arm wrapped around me and pulled me into him. Tilting my head against his shoulder, he kissed my forehead.
“Tell me what happened. I’m under no illusion about the two of us. I can take it, so spill it. Maybe I can help.”
I opened my mouth, and the floodgates opened. Evan listened as I told him about the project and our trip to New York. How we’d fallen in love over the last four months, what happened, and how he’d ended things.
“I should have told him. Keeping it from him was wrong.”
“Did you tell him that?”
I laughed humorlessly and shook my head. “I tried, but he wouldn’t let me. He was so angry with me, Ev.”
He sighed. “I think you need to tell him how you feel. Say what you need to say and then leave it with him. If he can’t forgive you, then you’ll know you did everything to give your relationship a chance.”
I kept my eyes on the waves. “What if he doesn’t want me back?”
He sighed. “Then you go on with your life. Whether it’s here—and please let it be here—or another city, you go on with your life.”
I knew Evan was right. At some point, I’d have to face the music with Preston. We’d either fix it, or be over for good.
“Wanna take a walk up the beach? There are some pretty cool things up there.”
I nodded. “Sure.”
Evan got to his feet, then held his hand out to pull me up. I took it, and he pulled me into a hug. “It’s all going to work out like it’s supposed to, Nick. Just give it some time.”
I nodded. “Yeah, okay.”
Evan took my hand, and we walked along the shore, the cold water rolling over our feet. It was comfortable, but my heart knew it wasn’t Preston. I knew I could turn to Evan, and if I moved here, maybe things could be different between us after a few years. But right now, Preston owned my heart, and would for a long time.
“How do you like it here?” I asked.
He smiled. “I love it here. The weather is unreal and there’s always something to do.”
“Have you met anyone?” I glanced up at him to gauge his reply.
“I’ve had a couple dates. But nothing serious.”
“You’re a good man, Ev. You’ll find your person.”
He laughed. “For a long time, I thought I already had. If things don’t work out between the two of you, would you ever consider us again?”
My heart couldn’t think about that right now. “I don’t know. I just need to figure my shit out and focus on work for a while.”
He nodded. “If you get the offer here, are you gonna take it?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know, probably. Nicole is here. You’re here. It just feels like the second best place to be.”
“The first being…” he waited for my reply.
“I’m not sure anymore. I’m too numb to think about it.”
