Page 78 of Still The One

A smile tugs at the corner of my lips as I wrap my arm around Eve protectively. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll take care of her,’ I assure Kait as she slowly backs out of the waiting room, concern on her face but finally leaving us in peaceful silence.

I feel Eve’s tension beside me as she leans into me, seeking solace from the ordeal she just went through. An image I don’t want to tempt even a little bit. As I trace my fingertips gently up and down the back of her arm, I feel her muscles slowly relaxunder my touch. Her forehead is pressed into my neck, and it sends a shiver down my spine. It’s been so long since I’ve held her like this, and I can’t help but wonder how I ever let her go. Damn that Famous 15 side of me. The cocky – ‘Ihaveto win’ – Guy who put that ahead of a life with her and she didn’t want to wait – to put it shortly. We’re in this situation because of me.

The glow of the table lamps casts a warm light on her delicate features, accentuating the curve of her cheekbones and the flutter of her lashes. How did I ever fuck things up with this incredible woman?

‘Kait insisted I look to see my nephew crowning,’ she says with a shudder. Just mentioning it causes her body to tremble against mine. ‘Be glad you left when you did and didn’t have to witness that. I’d rather be back at the playground in a less than safe neighborhood.’

‘Me too, if I’m being honest,’ I reply, my voice low as I inhale deeply, taking in her familiar scent. ‘At least then we could finish a conversation.’

The room is so quiet you can hear the seconds tick by on the wall clock.

‘Whatwouldyou do if you could go back?’ she asks, her tone hesitant. ‘That’s what you were about to tell me when my mom called.’

A sharp pang of regret pierces my heart as I recall the words I probably shouldn’t have said, now realizing their potential to change our relationship in ways I can’t predict. Will it be for better or for worse? Looks like we’re about to find out.

‘I would marry you again, properly this time, without hesitation,’ I declare, my voice steady because I do not doubt this. I still want it.

Silence hangs in the air for a moment before she responds, her voice barely above a whisper, ‘You would?’

‘In a heartbeat,’ I say, meaning it so much I hope she hears it. ‘Evie, you’re the only girl I’ve ever truly loved.’

She gazes up at me with tear-filled eyes, still nestled against my shoulder. ‘Even now, after I broke up with you via a handwritten note?’

I nod emphatically. I’d forgotten she gets emotional when she drinks. ‘Did that note break me?’ I pause, allowing the heaving sigh to say it for me. ‘Yes. But till death do us part, girl. Every word I spoke that day – hell, every word I ever said – was true. I was absolutely besotted with you, Jellybean.’

Her lips are parted as she listens, now sitting on her knees and facing me, her eyes focused on me intently as if I’m telling her a bedtime story.

‘But I understand if you can’t forgive me,’ I say softly, my voice laced with genuine remorse. ‘A good husband puts his wife and their relationship above all else. I didn’t even try to do that. Instead, I was caught up in a career I was already dominating. In hindsight, I should have taken the time off to start our life together right. I can’t change the past. But I am in control of my present.’

Eve’s eyes shimmer with unshed tears as she searches my face, as though looking for any hint of insincerity. She places her hand on my cheek like she would when I was in the hospital, her fingers warm against my skin – just like then, instant tingles under my skin.

‘I wish you’d have figured this out sooner,’ she whispers. ‘Maybe things would have been different?’

It’s as if the entire world has narrowed down to just the two of us on that couch because she is all I see. I reach for her hand, entwining our fingers gently, giving her time to process everything that’s been said.

‘Things could besodifferent this time around,’ I reassure her. ‘Trust me, I’ve been obsessing over it since you left.’

‘But you never even texted me.’

Shameful. Jesus, Foster.

‘I know. We’ve discovered my fatal flaw. I shut down when things don’t go my way, and I’ve worked on that.’

Her jaw drops, but she snaps it shut quickly.

‘Also, I did just sort of lay this on you so don’t think I expect you to respond to any of this tonight. We’ve got time to talk.’

Her eyes meet mine, filled with a mixture of emotions – uncertainty, longing, and a flicker of something that resembles hope. Or maybe I’m just wanting to see that last part.Please, let it be hope.

‘I just need to think about things,’ she says. ‘My heart is beyond confused and the moonshine is making me cloudy.’

‘Cloudy’. How is she this cute? With that I lift her hand, feeling the softness of her skin against my lips as I press them gently to her knuckles. All those dreams of our past I’ve been having lately come at me all at once and there isn’t anything I want more than to get that back.

‘I’m not going anywhere, Jellybean,’ I whisper, hoping to convey all the love and reassurance that words can’t express. And there it is. I know, without a doubt, that I am completely in love with this woman – since the moment we met and not a second less.

A gentle rap on the wooden doorframe of the waiting room draws our attention. Kait’s face lights up with a soft smile. ‘Your nephew’s here,’ she says, almost whispering in excitement. ‘Would you like to meet him?’

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