Page 25 of Uncovering Love: The Wedding

“It’s nothing. You’ll be late to work.”

“Work can wait.”

“I shouldn’t say anything. It’s confidential.”

“A case?”

She nods, but her eyes are still sad. In all her time working with Jon she’s never acted like this over a client.

“I’m calling in. I’ll take the morning off.”

“Tate! You can’t do that. Not with our honeymoon next week.”

“It’s not a good idea, but you’re scaring me. Talk to me.” I slide into the seat next to her and grip her hands in mine. She takes a deep breath, exhaling slowly before meeting my steady gaze.

“It’s Drew,” she admits with so much grief, even her chin trembles.

“Your brother-in-law? What is it? Oh, God, is he sick?” They have the baby on the way and I can’t imagine Melissa without Drew by her side.

“Don’t give that fucker a second of sympathy. He’s cheating on my sister.” Evie’s brow pinches with a glare, but as soon as my brain processes her words, laughter bursts forth clear from my chest, only making her scowl harder. “What the hell is funny about this?” she shouts. She yanks her hands from my reach.

“You’ve got to be kidding me, right?” But when her expression doesn’t waver, I try again. “This is Drew we’re talking about. Claire and Melissa are his world, and the new baby will be the same. I don’t believe it.”

“It’s true. I wanted to be wrong, but after yesterday, I’m done fighting. Melissa knew all along, too. Even when I tried to give her false hope.”

“What does Drew have to say for himself?” The words press through my lips as my hands clench with the need to kick my brother-in-law’s ass. How could he do this to his family? I’ve seen how he loves them.

Evie’s gaze falls to the table and she busies her fingers with picking at her nails.

“Evelyn.”

Her lips purse together, and she licks across them once before sneaking a gaze at me. “Oh, um, we haven’t talked with Drew yet.”

“What?”

“We’re finding all the evidence to support what Melissa already knows.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I shake my head and stand from the table. This is nonsense. “You haven’t approached Drew? What the hell are you even doing?”

“Cheaters lie, Tate. It’s what they do.” Evie’s shoulders pull back with her tone, and it’s evident she believes she’s found the truth of the matter. Except I don’t understand how she could without speaking to Drew. “We’re putting everything in place to give Melissa proof.”

“Which makes your words accusations! How do you know he’s even cheating?”

“I just know. It’s all there. I don’t know what the hell else he could be doing!”

“But you haven’t asked!”

“It’s not protocol. We’re working this like any other case.”

I shake my head and let loose a laugh that holds no humor. “Jon’s in on this too?”

“Of course he is.” There she is with that smart tone again.

I take a deep breath to steady my reaction. “How long have you—?”

“A couple of weeks. Remember that night Kate—”

Wait, what?“Kate’sin on this?” I can’t believe this has been going on and Evie never said a word. I never suspected a thing. Meanwhile, everyone else is in on this secret. Her lack of trust in me cuts the worst. “But you didn’t tell me.” The words fall from my lips, full of all the hurt I feel.

Her gaze drops a moment, and she blinks her eyelids before wiping at the tears that leak from the inside corners. “I didn’t want to drag you into it. I didn’t think it could be true! I’m sorry, I should have told you, Tate. I should have—”

“You’re right. You should have. We promised not to keep secrets from each other. I thought we were past that.” I blow out a breath. The clock above the stove glares with the update that I’m now only minutes from being late for my first class. I push away from the table, both pissed at being left in the dark for so long, and also selfishly, for how this will affect our wedding. “I’ve got to get to work.” Grabbing my keys in one hand, I step to the front door.

“Tate. Don’t leave angry. I’m sorry.” Her voice is small, weak, and it’s all I can do to not rush back to her. Instead, my hand rests on the door handle, poised to turn the knob. My shoulders fall with my feelings of betrayal that sink into my bones. From not knowing. From her not trusting me enough to confide in me. I shake my head in just the slightest and swing the door open wide.

“I can’t do this right now. I have to work. ’Bye, Evie.”

“I love you,” are the last words I hear her say before I slam the door shut behind me.

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