Page 13 of The Right Kind of Wrong

CHAPTER 5

Evelyn

I prettied myself up, straightening my hair and putting on a bit of makeup. I didn't expect a present or anything of that nature, but was it wrong to expect at least a “Happy Birthday?” I didn't think so, and if it were to happen, I wanted at least to get a picture to remember the rare moment of a hug from my sister.

After applying a bright red lipstick and checking that my leggings weren't doing anything funny, I walked downstairs and heard my sister talking to someone. When I finally got downstairs, she merely glanced at me, not once paying much attention to me, even when I waved in her direction. I was sure I did a horrible job at hiding the disappointment in my face, one that Mr. Carter immediately noticed.

“Miss Evelyn.” He smiled warmly. “Happy birthday, my beautiful girl.”

Mr. Carter opened up his arms and I readily accepted, reveling in his warm, fatherly hug.

“May all your wishes come true, Miss Evelyn. It's been a joy being a part of your life, watching you grow up.”

I looked back at the sweet man looking down at me, his grey hair and light blue eyes only accentuating the passage of time. He'd dedicated his time to watching over Hannah and me, neglecting the personal part of his own life. We were all he had. He took out a small box from his suit jacket and placed it in my hands.

“Oh, Carter, you didn't have to,” I said softly.

“I wanted to, dear. Now, it looks like your sister is ready to go,” he said, nodding towards Hannah, who stood by the door. “But I will see you later today, okay?”

“Thank you, Carter,” I said, hugging him once again. I saw them disappear, my sister not once turning around to even smile at me.

Though I was thankful for Carter's gesture, I couldn't help but feel sad about Hannah's lack of care. I walked over to the kitchen, sitting down on the stool near the island. Groaning, I covered my face with my hands.

It didn't seem like things would ever change. My parents couldn't be bothered to send me a single text message at least to say good morning, my sister didn't give a damn about me, even though I lived under her roof. Not even Karla in Florida had been able to send me a text message, despite us spending three years together. And Nathan, he didn't seem to—

“I hope you're not crying there,” I heard a voice behind me. I jumped off the stool startled, only to end up with one of Nathan's arms wrapped around me. “Hm, you don't want to fall on your birthday, now do you?”

I felt myself blush at the teasing nature of his comment, his grey eyes sparkling with amusement. He didn't let go.

“Happy birthday, Evie,” he said softly, bringing forward the arm he had behind his back. A bouquet of pink and white roses was in his hand, a small smirk on his face. “It's not much, but I hope you like it.”

“Nathan, I—”

“You thought I didn't remember,” he murmured, placing a strand of my hair behind my ear. “I always remember.”

Our gazes met and for a moment I forgot how to breathe, lost in those ever-revealing eyes of his. Maybe it was the way he did always remember or the way he looked at me with such emotion that made me want to reach up and kiss him. At the realization, I cleared my throat, taking the roses in my hands and taking a step back. Nathan looked confused for a moment, as well, as if he couldn't understand what had just happened.

“Thank you, Nathan. They're beautiful.”

“Your favorites,” he said with a crooked smile.

I bit my lip nervously, glancing over at the man who was still looking intently at me.

“You look beautiful today. Twenty suits you.”

I rolled my eyes and tried to hide the blush that was surely on my cheeks by looking for a vase in which to put the flowers in. A shiver ran down my spine when I felt his eyes still on me, intense and with something I couldn't decipher.

“Any plans today?” he asked, walking around the island and standing next to me.

I shook my head. Maybe Nathan could visit Nana with me. “Just hoping I can head over to Nana's.”

“Oh, good. I'm busy today, but maybe I'll see you later.”

Oh.

No Nathan today, either.

Seeing the disappointment in my face, he stopped in front of me, hands in his pockets as if trying to prevent himself from reaching out. I couldn't understand what was happening, things felt…different at that moment. I couldn't define it.

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