Page 14 of Dare To Live

Miles’ expression is troubled. “No, I know. I just mean … well, it’s so far away.”

“It’s just an option I’m considering,” I say. “I might not even get the job.”

Would Evan’s flowers still find me halfway across the world?

It’s been six years since I started receiving them, and there’s never been a card attached, but I know they’re from Evan.

Would moving away stop him? Or will he send them until one of us dies?

Does he still think I’m Zoey?

The last thought sends an icy uneasiness, that has nothing to do with the winter weather outside, lacing its way through my veins.

At the trial, he’d stared at me and Eli the entire time. It got so bad that I ended up staying at home. When Evan was sentenced, Eli called me to tell me.

All those months of waiting for him to be convicted had been threaded with the fear that he might just be set free. I’d never felt such relief as I did that day.

The server returns, carrying a tray with our food. She places our plates in front of us.

I breathe in the fragrant aroma. When I take a bite of the creamy rice, I hum in pleasure. The two men fall silent, and we focus on our food. I’m halfway through my meal when my phone bursts into life.

Wiping my mouth with my napkin, I take my cell out of my coat pocket and answer it. “Hi, Mom, how’s the Hamptons? And no, I’m still not coming.”

“Bella, I’m worried about Eli.” Her voice is filled with concern.

“Why?”

“He isn’t answering his phone.”

“I’m sure he’ll call you back when he can.” I scoop up some risotto.

“You don’t understand. He’s sick.”

Eli is ill? Unwilling concern floods through me. Eli never gets sick.

My attention flicks to Miles and Ivan, who are both watching me with undisguised interest. “I hope it’s nothing serious.”

“He sounded bad when I spoke to him two days ago. I don’t like him out there all alone.”

I frown. “Out where?”

“The cabin.”

Her words catch me off guard. “Eli is at the cabin?”

“He lives there. Has for the past five years.”

“I thought he lived at the house in the Hamptons.”

“No, he closed it up after Elliot passed away. If you two still talked, you’d know that.”

“So, you’re telling me that he’s sick and alone in the middle of a forest?” I try to ignore the concern worming its way through me. “I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

“Sweetheart, men only think they can fend for themselves. Could you go and check on him? I know you’re with your friends in New York, and I’m sorry to ruin your plans like this.”

“Mom—”

“Please, Arabella. I promised Elliot I’d look after him. If something happened to him, I would never be able to forgive myself … I’d go myself but you know I’m useless in those kinds of situations.”

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