Page 21 of The Wrong Side Of Us

It wasn’t until a few minutes later that I heard footsteps and later saw Jessica appear from the office. She seemed annoyed to see me, and I forced a smile just to spite her.

“You could pretend to like me, you know?” I said. “I am your friend’s girlfriend after all.”

She scoffed, shaking her head. “You don’t like me, either.”

“Because I’m not an idiot. I’m pretty sure I know how you feel about him.”

Taken aback, she stared and stared before smiling. “I care about him, yes. And I’m his friend, so I will be around.”

I took that as a warning. That’s what it seemed like. Her eyes took on a glint I didn’t like at all, and I would have said something else had it not been for Nathan coming out of the office.

“Are you going to stick around?” he asked. Jessica turned around, giving me all the confirmation I needed. I shook my head, placing a small kiss on his cheek.

“I’ll go visit Carter a while,” I replied. I said my goodbyes and went back to my building. It was a calm day overall, and while with Carter, I started planning a surprise for Nathan. He rarely used his apartment, and I wanted to make it into somewhat of a man-cave for him. Although for him, a man cave meant a studio, I knew it would mean a lot to him.

I told Carter all about my intentions, and he quickly agreed to help me and get Nathan’s parents onboard with my idea. After everything Nathan had done for me, it was only fair that I did something significant for him too, though nothing would ever be enough. He’d been my friend for years, and now he was the man I wanted to share my life with. He’d stuck with me through thick and thin—through my never-ending breakdowns—and I knew deep in my heart he was in it for the long run.

It’s easy to be with someone when there are no problems and life is great. I knew our biggest tests would come unexpectedly, and I wanted to be ready for them. I hoped I was ready for them.

I’d learned from the coldness in my parents’ marriage I didn’t want that for myself. Their interactions were almost inexistent and a prime example of what a marriage should never be. I also knew Nathan was different from them. And I hoped I was too. I was willing to try my best for our relationship to work, and when he arrived later that night and made love to me again, I was reminded of why we couldn’t be wrong for one another.

This wasn’t just the beginning of a new year for us but also the beginning of a new stage in our lives. One in which we started over as a couple who would hopefully one day form a family. It wouldn’t be easy, life never was…but it would be worth it.

Of that, I didn’t have a single doubt.

Chapter 9

Evelyn

“I love you,” Nathan murmured as I straddled him, my hair falling over my shoulders.

I couldn’t find a hint of deceit in his eyes. “Me too, Nate. I’m so glad you get to spend the day here,” I replied with a small smile. My hands rested on his chest; this man was mine. No matter what, I knew our bond was one that would never be easily broken. The things we had been through had been rough, but now he was with me, and I was with him, and there was nothing tearing us apart.

Our relationship hadn’t started the conventional way; maybe it would have been best if we never started that way in the first place. However, I couldn’t bring myself to regret anything. I loved him, always would.

“I want to go back to school,” I confessed.

Nathan raised his eyebrows, but an amused glint lit his eyes. “Really? I thought you liked just ‘exploring the city?’”

I gently shoved him. “I love it, yes. But I need to do something, you know? I want to feel useful.”

Nodding, Nathan pressed a kiss on my lips. “I’d love to have you at the gallery all the time,” he said with a small smile. “But I don’t know if you would want that, especially with Jessica there.”

I frowned. “Wouldn’t that be unfair, though? Having me there because I’m your girlfriend? Besides, with Jessica there and our blossoming friendship, I don’t see how this could go wrong.”

Nathan snorted at my sarcasm, moving my hair back. “You are more than qualified. You led a company—”

“For like, a week,” I interrupted, ignoring the pain that still surfaced when I thought of those times.

“Still. You know about art. I could teach you more about the pieces we get in, and I’m sure Jessica would be willing to as well. I understand if you don’t want to, though, Evie. I won’t force you. The choice is yours, but the offer stands. If you don’t want to do that, then you can take care of the financial aspect; you’re good with numbers, we both know that, and Jesse and me, we’re up to our heads when it comes to that aspect.”

The idea seemed tempting. Very tempting. However, there were many things that stopped me. I didn’t want to feel like I hadn’t worked for the job, like it was another handout. Besides, I knew that being around Jessica and Nathan together could cause more problems.

But then again…

I’d be there.

“I’ll think about it,” I said.

---