Page 101 of Always Right

That has to be updated.

There’s no Derek in it.

She seemed to think the same thing and winked at me.

“You know, when I came back from Florida, it broke my heart that you didn’t show you were happy to see me.”

I opened my mouth to say something, but Evie shook her head.

“It completely destroyed me for the longest time, until eventually, I didn’t give a damn...or tried not to.” She sighed, closing her eyes. “When we lost Nana, I felt lost and lonely. Nathan was there to help me back up. But Hannah...all I wanted was you. It hurt to not have you. It hurt to have no one in the family to turn to. But now...” Evie smiled, looking at the kids, then at me. “Now, despite the problems, I have all I ever wanted. And I would go through it all again if it means having this relationship with you. You are exactly the sister I was wishing for.”

Her words made a lump form in my throat.

You are exactly the sister I was wishing for.

“And I know it turns out we aren’t blood related...I know there’s a lot I don’t know about my life, but I don’t need to. I have you. Of course, I have Derek and Dylan, too...but you watched me grow up, Hannah. Good or bad, all my memories are with you. I wouldn’t change it for the world. I just thought you should know.”

It took me a moment to control my emotions and keep myself from crying but when I did, I told her something I should probably say more often.

“I love you, Evie.”

She grinned, her eyes lighting up much like the little girl I once knew. “I love you, too, Hannah.”

In that moment, everything shifted.

I had clarity.

I knew exactly what I needed to do.

Chapter 37

Hannah

I'd heard that anxiety can cause one to feel shaky...like your heart is about to beat out of your chest. At least that's what Evie would say. But I scrolled through the pictures Mark had sent me overnight, and all that washed over me was a troubling calm. I smiled, though I was alone in the living room with the girls taking their nap in the bedroom.

I wasn't sure what the hell I did feel.

But whatever it was, it wasn't normal.

"Hey, hey." Blake peeked through the door, offering me a smile as he walked into the house. I raised an eyebrow, not expecting him to be there.

"What are you doing here?"

He stretched out his hand, giving me my favorite Starbucks drink. He always remembered.

"Derek told me you were alone and he only does that when he wants me to check on you so...I figured you wouldn't be as annoyed if I brought you a drink."

I returned the smile to my friend...my best friend and sat back on the sofa this time with him next to me.

It felt like a long time since we had been alone.

"How are you doing?" The question left my lips without much thought but Blake cocked an eyebrow before draping his arm over my shoulders.

My body relaxed.

"The real question is how are you doing?"

Rolling my eyes, I leaned into his embrace and simply sat there. He brought me comfort...he was my constant throughout my pregnancy. He held my hand when I was in pain.

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