“That’s great news. Do you think she’ll pay for her crimes?”
“I know she will,” he replied.
“Looks like Birdie’s headed to prison as well.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.”
“Did you have a hand in that?”
“Beyond working with you?”
“Uh-huh.”
“No. He punched himself a one-way ticket to prison when he gave away government secrets. I was a spectator for that debacle.”
“Those two were quite a pair.” Her phone buzzed and she showed Sin the photo of Hannah, Trevon, and a smiling baby Robert pictured in front of several moving boxes. The previous month, Trevon had put his condo on the market so he could move into Hannah’s townhouse.
“They are such great parents and so happy together,” Evangeline said.
He acknowledged the picture with a nod. “We’ve never talked about children. Do you want them?”
Silence.
He glanced over and she was staring out the window, her lips pursed. After several more seconds, she said, “I’m not sure. You?”
“I’m undecided. If we got pregnant, I would be the kind of dad both of mine have been to me—I’d put our child first—but for now, I love that it’s just the two of us.”
She threaded her fingers through his. “I love that we agree on the important things.”
“Me, too, babe,” he said, squeezing her hand.
He followed the signs to Rehoboth Beach and drove into the beautiful neighborhood of luxury homes. So much had happened to them since they’d visited the area in search of the woman in the sex video. But the one thing that had been their constant was their unwavering dedication to each other.
Even back then, he’d put her first. Then, she’d put him first. Now, they were putting each other first, and his gut told him it would always be that way.
As the sun kissed the western horizon, he pulled into the driveway. She leaned over, kissed him. “You rented my fairy tale home. Oh, God, Sinclair, you spoil me so much.” She hopped out and grabbed bags, then hurried up the walkway to the front door.
He punched the code in the keypad and the door unlocked. They went inside and she beamed at him, then threw her arms around him and kissed the hell out of him.
“This is a wonderful surprise!” After kicking off her shoes, she said, “Let’s go to the beach before it gets dark.”
Hand in hand, they strolled barefoot on the sand while the lapping waves kissed the shore. The evening was breezy and the cool air made her shiver. He stopped, facing the water, and pulled her in front of him, warming her with his embrace. “I love you.”
“I love you.” He loved that he could hear her smile.
“Happy birthday, Evan.”
She whirled around. “Who told you?”
“It’s my job to know these things.”
“I never celebrate it. It’s no big deal.”
“It is to me.” He kissed her, the passion swirling between them. She deepened the kiss, clutching him tightly.
“I love you so much it scares me,” she whispered.
“What are you afraid of?”
