Page 74 of Web of Lies
I can't argue with that because he's right, and both Evelyn and I know it. Sure, I hate that he pushed her, but Riley needs to be able to hold her ground in a situation that could be fatal if she hesitates even for a second.
We all fall silent, and the quiet lingers, weighed down by our unspoken understanding. Evelyn leans into Noah, and he kisses the top of her head. Meanwhile, my thoughts drift upstairs to the sound of running water and the woman fighting to prove herself.
She’ll get there.
She has to.
And until then, I have to make damn sure she’s ready.
Chapter 34
Riley
"Will you be all right?" Evelyn asks as she pads barefoot across their spacious bedroom in a matching set of white lace underwear. Her hair is styled in loose curls, and a full face of makeup complements her features. She grabs her white summer dress from the bed beside me, steps into it, and pulls the sleeves over her shoulders.
It’s their set date night, which they stick to every two weeks, no matter what. Despite Evelyn's offer to skip it this time to stay in with us, I couldn't let her. I didn't want to be the reason they put their lives on hold any more than they already have by hosting us. They’ve opened their home, their time, and their routine to us. And as much as I'd prefer having them around, they deserve some time to themselves.
"Yes, Kyle is here after all," I say, sitting on the edge of their bed, watching her hasty movements as if every second counts.
"Good," she says, twisting her arms behind her back to reach for the zipper.
"Let me," I say, rising from the bed, walking up to her, and pulling the zipper up for her.
"Thank you," she says, throwing me a smile over her shoulder. "What are you two going to do tonight?"
"We're going to practice a little more, and then we'll watch a movie."
"That sounds nice," she says, turning around to face me. "Did I show you how to access our security system through the tablet?"
"Yes, three times, but I'd like to believe that I'm skilled enough to figure it out either way."
"I'm just a little worried," she says, curling her fingers into the loose fabric of my shirt and gently tugging at it.
"No need to. Although I gotta admit I'm nervous about being left alone in your house, we will be fine."
She purses her lips and tugs at the fabric again, pulling me closer. "You have nothing to worry about. Whiskey has been walked, fed, and will sleep until we get back. The doves are taken care of as well. And in the case of an emergency, Kyle knows where everything is."
I raise an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at my lips. "You make it sound like you're our mom leaving us home alone for the first time."
She snorts, shaking her head. "I'm not. It's just that the situation makes me nervous. I know our home is safe, but I'm not used to leaving others here all alone."
"I know," I say, placing my hands on her shoulders. "But seriously, you two should enjoy your date night without thinking about Kyle and me the entire time."
"Fine," she mutters, though the corners of her mouth twitch into a smile.
"Dove? Are you coming?" Noah's voice interrupts us, drawing our attention to where he's standing in the doorway. The suit he's wearing fits him perfectly, as if it were tailored just for him. His hair is neatly styled, not a single strand out of place. Hisglasses sit perfectly on his nose, giving him a sharp look, as if he'd just stepped out of a magazine shoot.
"Yes," she says with a bright smile, leaning in to give me a quick hug before pulling back and hurrying toward him.
"You look beautiful," he says in a hushed tone, but I still hear him. The compliment earns him a chuckle, and Evelyn rises to her toes, planting a kiss on his cheek.
The way they’ve been with each other these last two weeks still surprises me. The little touches and soft glances are the kind of affection that most couples lose once the honeymoon phase wears off. They’ve been together for two years now, yet it still feels like they’re stuck in the sweet, dizzy stage at the beginning of a relationship. I’m happy for them, especially Evelyn, because she deserves that kind of love.
But it also makes me hopeful because maybe it means there’s a chance for me too, and what I’ve found with Kyle could be the same.
"Come on, handsome." Evelyn's voice snaps me out of my thoughts, and I find her leading Noah down the hall.
I follow close behind and pause at the bottom of the stairs, and watch Evelyn slip into her heels before they disappear into the garage. Noah helps her into the passenger seat of his sleek black car, then closes the door gently. He moves to the driver's side, and she gives me a small wave before the engine hums to life. I stand there, hands tucked into the pockets of my shorts, as they pull out and the car rolls down the driveway, disappearing into the woods.
