Page 36 of From You to Me

“My Emmie never complains and eats whatever I put in front of him.” Her lips curved in a warm smile.

If only he had done the same for me.

Footsteps approached us. “Morning, Helen,” Jay called out from behind me. I spun around to catch a soft look in his eyes as he peered at her. And my breath caught in my throat because he was smiling.

A real one. A kind of smile that made his eyes shine with genuine happiness.

Was it possible to be jealous of a fifty-year-old woman? Because I was.

“Morning, honey.” She grinned and gestured to me. “Evy was just telling me that you were giving her trouble for not cooking that god-awful breakfast?”

A cold, hard expression replaced his smile in a second as he glanced my way.

My ears turned red as I averted my gaze downward.Way to go, Helen. I sighed inwardly. But I couldn’t really blame her. I’m sure she wouldn’t have made that comment if she knew our history was tattered and tainted.

“Hmm, are those cookies I smell? You’re spoiling me, ma’am.” His face turned into a mask of joy as he answered, completely changing the subject.

I took it as my cue to get out of there and get started on my actual work.

About three hours and one pristine apartment later, it was finally time for me to leave this place. Forever. I looked at the rain spilling from thundering, dark gray clouds outside. I loved this apartment. Especially the view when it rained. I was going to miss this place. But I was going to miss the man staring at it more. Even though he treated me like an outcast in his life, I would always long for a glimpse of him.

“Today is my last day at work,” I said in a bleak voice as I appeared before him.

He cast me a glance, the look on his face giving nothing away as he nodded.

Sadness gripped my heart. This was it. I didn’t know if I would ever see him again after this. I traced my eyes over his gorgeous face, committing it to memory: his high cheekbones and strong jawline, the azure specks in his eyes, and his full lips that I would do anything to kiss one last time.

“Goodbye, Jay.” I croaked out, my voice thick with emotion.

His gaze sharpened, peering into the depths of my soul as he said, “Goodbye, Evelyn.”

I swallowed the pain down my throat as I willed my feet to walk out of the apartment. Like a hopeless love-lost teenager, I took slow steps toward the door, walking out of that apartment one last time.

My heart sat heavy in my chest as I braced the downpour weeping in NYC. I sat on my usual bench in Central Park as I watched the trees wail and dance in the storm. It was a beautiful sight that would usually make me happy, but not today. I loved to sit in the rain like this. It felt cleansing for some reason.

But now I felt lost—no job, no direction, and no clue about what to do with my life. The pay this month would keep me afloat for a while, but not for long. I had to think of something. I had to get a job if I ever wanted to survive.

Somewhere in the background of the heavy wailing, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I frowned. Who was calling me at this time?

Aimee. Why was she calling me? My phone became wet in an instant, and I had to battle with the touchpad for a few seconds to answer it. Finally!

“Hello, Aimee?”

“Evelyn! Thank God, you picked up. I know this is very last minute, but is there any chance I could meet you in an hour.”

“Umm, yes.”

“Amazing, I’ll send you the location. See you then!”

Why did she want to meet me? OMG, is this about the lamp I broke in the library last week? I’m sure that wasn’t a big deal. Jay could afford that and a lot more now. So I wondered what it could be. Well, I wouldn’t know unless I find out.

An hour later, I waited in Leo’s Café like a drenched rat while I tried my best to fix my hair. Aimee’s name flashed on my phone again.

“Hello,” I answered.

“Evelyn? Oh wait, I think I see you.”

I looked up to see a very pregnant woman with a huge smile on her face waving in my direction as she trotted over to me.

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