Becs swallowed hard, hoping Kaye didn’t notice that she nearly dropped her fork.
“You two have to talk at some point.”
Frowning, she watched as Kaye got to her feet. Has she been set up?
Becs heard the door open, and she took a gulp of wine, wishing for a little liquid courage to help her through this. She only hoped Evan didn’t storm out when he realized she was there.
The rumble of voices sounded in the kitchen, and a moment later, Evan appeared. His gaze swept over her.
“I didn’t realize you’d be home,” she said.
Evan frowned.
“I’m sorry.” God, she was an idiot. “That was rude. I didn’t mean it like it sounded.”
He came around the table, his eyes lingering on her as he walked. “Are you okay?”
She took another gulp of wine and nodded. “Of course.”
Why wouldn’t I be? I only want to crawl into a hole and cry.
And then, once she was in that hole, she wanted Evan to pull her out, hold her in his arms, and make everything go away for just a little while.
“Becs?”
She looked up at him. “Hmm?”
It was then she realized there was a tear dripping down her cheek.
Mortified, she grabbed a napkin to wipe it away, but as soon as she got that one, another one fell. And then another and another until she was a sobbing mess.
“Come here,” he said, taking her by the wrist and helping her to her feet.
As soon as she was standing, Evan wrapped his arms around her and held her, his hand sliding over her hair in the gentlest of caresses.
It made her cry even more.
***
Holding her was a mistake, but Evancouldn’t help himself.
Ever since they returned from New York, he’d been trying to come up with a way to set things right with her. It wasn’t easy since Becs had been avoiding him. Now that she was here, he knew he had to address this thing between them. One way or the other, they had to clear the air so they could move forward.
As for which direction they were headed, that was yet to be determined. Evan figured it would be progress as long as they weren’t going backward.
“I’m sorry,” she said, sobbing against his shirt. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
He chuckled softly. “It’s been an overwhelming day.”
“Yes,” she agreed.
Evan wondered if that was the only reason she was upset. Not that he wanted to be the reason for her tears. However, it did give him a glimmer of hope since it was a response that didn’t involve vast amounts of anger and disappointment.
“I think I should go,” Becs said, wiping her eyes as she pulled out of his arms.
“Please don’t.”
Her eyes glittered with unshed tears.
