Page 98 of The Wrong Side Of Us

“Hannah.” Scowling, Nathan leaned his head back on the shower wall, clearly disapproving even the mention of my sister’s name. I placed my hands on his chest, getting his attention once again. “It’s okay, I’m okay.”

He sighed, shaking his head.

Of course he didn’t. Not after everything we’d been through because of her. If I told him about Hannah’s connection to the events with Derek, he would surely disagree with me going to meet her. I would have to tell him after I had the full story. If not, I’d need to prepare for another argument.

He’d get mad, but this was something I had to do. Nathan would understand. Eventually.

“She wants me to visit her.”

His head snapped in my direction, his piercing eyes almost intimidating. Almost. He was furious, and though he didn’t direct it towards me, it was clear nothing would come out of this conversation.

Later, Evie.

Take your time.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea, Evie,” he cautioned, shutting the water off, a sign that, just like the shower was done, so was the conversation.

I couldn’t drop the subject, not without trying to get more insight into what he thought. “Why?”

He snorted, opening the shower door and furiously taking the towel in his hand.

Stupid question, Evie.

Everyone knew exactly why I shouldn’t talk to her, shouldn’t even consider it. I was sure if I told Carter he’d have the same reaction. I had to do this on my own.

“You know what?” I said as Nathan wrapped the towel around my body. He raised an eyebrow, not saying a word. “Let’s talk about this later. You have a lot on your mind right now, okay?”

He nodded, agreeing with me. We wouldn’t discuss this, though. Not until I had my answers.

***

Nathan

Going to the gallery to clear shit up with Jessica was the last thing I wanted to do. I was ready to give it up to avoid any more problems with her, salvage a bit of our friendship. She was a good person, had been through a lot, but dealing with this situation wasn’t on my list of priorities. If she didn’t understand that, there was nothing else to do.

My main worry now was trying to keep Evelyn out of trouble, away from Hannah. Her timing was suspicious, and the last thing I wanted was her to hurt Evelyn yet again. It was too much for her, and I was afraid that it was all going to add up potentially affecting the baby.

Just as I arrived at the gallery, my phone buzzed, and when I read the message, it took all my control not to drive back to Evie.

Evie: I’m going to visit Derek. Don’t be mad.

I saw Jessica speaking to someone by the office, and she offered me a shy smile, one I didn’t return at all. We wouldn’t talk about anything until closing time, except I wasn’t sure that I should linger with her there.

It was going to be a chaotic day.

Other than brief conversations regarding clients or purchases, Jessica and I didn’t talk. It was safer—she couldn’t misunderstand my intentions that way.

By the time we closed, and all the clients had left, Jessica was already in the office probably on the laptop evaluating purchases. Deciding to not prolong the inevitable, I went to the office to discuss the future of the business we had started together.

It was a shame it had all come to this.

I opened the door to the office quietly. “Jessica?”

There was movement inside, yet she didn’t call out for me to come in.

What I didn’t expect was to see her in a bright red robe that contrasted her against her pale skin in the most daunting way.

Or the way she opened the robe and let it fall down her otherwise naked body.

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