Page 62 of Everlasting Promises

“I’m interested in being more than your friend. More than Evan’s friend.” I draw in a deep breath, hoping this doesn’t bite me in the ass. “When you’re ready, I’d like to take you on a date sometime.”

She opens her mouth, and I know she’s going to tell me she’s not ready, so I hold up my hand.

“No time limit. I’ll wait as long as it takes. When you’re ready, I’ll be here. In the meantime, nothing needs to change, and you can tell me if I overstep and I’ll back off. To be clear … I’m not going anywhere unless you tell me to leave.”

Her eyes widen. I don’t think she was expecting any of that, but I’d prefer to be up front with my intentions, so we both know where we stand.

I nod once and turn back toward the kitchen. “I’ll leave you to compose yourself.”

When I return to the table, Evan’s almost finished his meal and mine is a little cold, so I heat it for a minute in the microwave, then grab Hope’s dinner and do the same.

“Is Mom okay?”

“Yeah, bud. She’ll be okay.”

He drops his gaze to his plate, moving his salad around with his fork. “She gets upset a lot.”

“She’s sad.”

He heaves out a sigh. “I know.” He flicks his eyes up to me. “Do you think you can help?”

“I’m not sure, but I’d like to try.” Hope strolls back into the kitchen as the microwave beeps, and I point to it with my fork. “I reheated your dinner.”

She smiles softly. “Thanks.” Once she has her dinner, she returns to the table. “Sorry about that.” She takes a sip of her wine and focuses on eating. Even though she’s composed herself, her sadness fills the room, permeating every nook and cranny.

My phone lights up, blaring “I’m on Fire,” and breaking the tense silence. Hope’s eyebrows shoot up, and Evan laughs. “Sorry, that’s my friend, Sebastian. I’ll call him back later.”

“You can talk to him now. We don’t mind.”

The song continues to blare. “I don’t wanna be rude.”

Hope shrugs. “Take the call.”

I rise from the table and grab my phone, accepting the call before wandering away from the dining area, ending up in the living room. “Hey, Seb.”

“Hey. You wanna catch up? I have the night off.”

My eyes skim over the photos on the mantel, freezing on one of Hope and Wyatt on their wedding day. Happiness radiates from her, and she looks completely different. I remember Tahliahad a very similar look on our wedding day. It’s the look of a woman fulfilling her most treasured dream.

“Can’t tonight. I’m having dinner with Evan and Hope.”

“Bring them along. I want to kick your ass at mini golf.” He chuckles. “And it would be awesome having witnesses.”

“Who kicks who’s ass?” I grumble playfully. “I distinctly remember handing yours to you last time.”

“Ha! Whatever, pretty boy.” I hear the fridge open. “Go ask them to come along. I’ll wait.”

I rub the back of my neck. “It’s a school night. I doubt they’ll come.”

“It’s only 6:30. Finish dinner, and it’ll be seven. We’ll meet at 7:30, play for an hour, and the kid’ll be in bed before nine.”

True. I guess. “All right. I’ll ask them.” They could do with a little fun, and this may just be what they need.

“Great.”

I hold the phone to my chest and step back into the kitchen. “Seb wants to catch up tonight.”

Disappointment clouds Hope’s features, setting off a buzz of excitement through my body, which I know makes me an ass. “Oh.”

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