Page 44 of Falling Inn Love
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I help Sasha clean up after lunch and Mellie heads off to put Kase down for a nap and take a break. Sasha makes eye contact with me for a bit before she finally says something.
“I’m glad to hear you’re sticking around for a while.” She turns and starts wiping down the counters. “The Harpers are good people. They’ve been through a lot, but they’ve remained loyal and strong. Whatever’s holding you back from him… I’m just saying...”
“I wish it was that simple,” I say. I lean back and consider her words.
“It’s as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. It’s hard to love and be loved when you’ve been hurt. I get it. But I’ll tell you, I’ve known Evan since he was a boy. I’ve never seen him like this with anyone. Ever. There’s something about you, Beth. I think he needs you, and you need him.”
I nod. My phone buzzes and I look down. Logan. “I’m sorry, I need to take this. Thanks, Sasha. I hear you.” I give her a smile then head up to the front room.
“Hey, how are you?” I answer as I curl up on one of the couches in front of the fireplace.
“Good. Just wanted to check in on you. Cara said she talked to you.”
“I’m okay. Working is good for me. It feels good to feel needed again.”
“I’m really glad to hear that. You can say it…”
“You were right.”
“Okay, I’m going to need you to repeat that so we can record it and play it again and again,” he teases.
“Ha, ha. How’s Boston? Are you settling into your new place?”
“Bean town is good. The renovations are coming along. I like it here. I signed a new client and I’m excited. Speaking of clients, how’s the writing coming?”
“I haven’t had a lot of time to write, to be honest.”
“That’s okay,” he assures me. “You’re supposed to be taking a break and not worrying too much about writing right now, anyway. Any thought about whether or not you’ll consider being more public?”
“I know I need to do it, Logan. And I probably will. I do feel a little better about things. I’ve told Evan and his mother about what happened.”
“Wow, you did?”
“Not all of it. But some. That’s progress for me. You know I’m not really an open book.”
“Oh, I’m aware.” Logan laughs. “Anyway, just wanted to check in. I shared your proposal with a few more editors. I’m just waiting for the go-ahead from you that you’re willing to do more. That’s it, Beth.”
“I know,” I say. “I’m thinking about it.”
“Good. I’ll be up to visit soon. I’m getting my floors redone and need a place to stay. Plus, I miss you. Cara misses you, too. Don’t be a stranger.”
“Thanks, you, too. I’m looking forward to seeing you and introducing you to everyone.”
After my phone call with Logan, I’m feeling a bit refreshed. I know what I need to do, I just need to finally take the steps to get there. I spend the afternoon attending to guests and organizing the social media posts I’ve created. I also take more pictures to post. So far, the website looks amazing and we’re booking up like crazy. I send a link to the updated site to Margie in San Diego and ask her how everyone’s doing.
Margie: Hey, sweetie. Doing good here. The website looks amazing! Thank you so much for doing that.Taking good care of them. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. We’re heading to dialysis now.
She sends me a picture of her with Caleb. He looks so small and sick in his booster seat, it breaks my heart.
Beth: Aww, he’s so cute!
Margie: Will do. Take good care of Evan for me.
Beth: Will do!
I think about Evan and wonder how things will go later, staying together for the night in his cottage. It doesn’t feel strange, even though it probably should. We’ve spent nearly every day and most evenings together since I’ve been here, and at this point, it would feel more strange to not be spending time with him if he’s nearby. I love being with him.
