Page 56 of Falling for You
“You’re telling me you haven’t told Evan about your past with Eric yet?” Natalie’s voice screeched through CeCe’s cell phone. Through the line, she could hear the clacking of her friend’s heels as she stalked around. Natalie was a world-class pacer.
CeCe flopped back on her hotel bed and covered her face with her free hand, the other clutching the phone until the plastic case creaked under pressure. “Yes, I know. Okay? I’m not calling for you to tell me I’m in the right. I’m calling because I need to know how to bring this up to Evannow. It’s been nearly two months that I’ve kept this secret. I feel terrible.” Natalie was quiet for a long pause, and CeCe pulled the phone back to make sure she was still on the line. “Either I’ve offended you or you hung up on me.”
“Sorry. I’m trying to figure this out. I’m not exactly the queen of honesty and open communication.” Natalie’s tone was too truthful, too heavy to be mocking.
“You’re not?” CeCe asked, practically scandalized. While Anthony wasn’t her chosen partner, she assumed Natalie was happy in her marriage. Why else would she stick around with everyone’s favorite surly mayor?
Natalie practically snorted into the line. “CeCe, come on. You’ve seen Anthony and me in action. I would hardly call the PDA police on us. Marriage is tricky sometimes. Let’s just say there are times I don’t speak my piece.”
CeCe bolted upright, sending a stack of pillows cascading onto the floor. “You’re telling me you don’t tell Anthony how you feel? Nat, you tell me every thought you have. I know what you ate for breakfast and how much you spent on those new shoes you got in Cincinnati. How is this possible?”
Sighing, Natalie continued. “Marriage makes it different. Hell, love makes it different. Anthony and I used to be crazy about each other. Of course we still love each other, but it’s not the same. We’ve let too much time go by with certain things unsaid. Throw in two kids under five, and it’s a whole other kettle of fish.”
“But Evan and I are just getting started,” CeCe urged. “We shouldn’t have anything left unsaid.” Waiting a beat, she added, “And we don’t even have a house plant, let alone kids.”
Natalie snorted. “Then take your own advice and start talking. Evan is clearly crazy about you. He’s probably noticing something is up anyway. Give the poor kid some credit.”
CeCe rolled her eyes. “Stop calling him a kid, okay? He’s a man.”
Natalie laughed. “I’m well aware he’s a man. Remember that time with the tinsel last Christmas? I’m pretty sure seeing him shirtless burned off one of my ovaries.”
CeCe didn’t need a reminder of Evan and his looks. She was certainly attracted to him physically, but it was the other side of him that had really drawn her in. He was funny and attentive, always asking her how she was or what she needed. And Natalie was right; he knew something was up after CeCe bumped into Roxie. It was eating her alive not to be honest with him. He deserved the best. She just hoped she was good enough for him.
“I need to tell him now.” She sighed.
“You do,” Natalie agreed. “Sorry I don’t have anything more helpful to say.”
Even though Natalie couldn’t see her, CeCe nodded. “No, this was helpful. I needed to be reminded of the truth.”
“Evan is a good guy, CeCe. He’ll understand. Just be honest. Tell him why this has been so hard for you. Everyone handles breakups differently.”
“I will. And you be honest with me too, okay? I want to be here for you if you need to talk. About Anthony or anything.”
Natalie was quiet for a moment, as if choosing her words. “I will. Thank you, CeCe. You’re a good friend.”
“Ha! I learn from the best. I’ll text you later after the first round.”
“You better. I downloaded the app so I can watch the results live. Me and all of Buckeye Falls are rooting for you.”
CeCe knew she had friends back in town, but it calmed her to hear it. Never had she felt so connected to a place. When she lived in Chicago, she made friends and felt a connection to her work. But in Buckeye Falls, it was different. Max, Natalie, Evan, Helen, and even Ginny had become her family. She couldn’t picture her life without them in it.
CeCe hung up and decided to take that nap she mentioned. Her body felt heavy with both mental and physical fatigue. As she drifted off, she allowed herself a moment to imagine a proper future with Evan. A future where she told him everything, no matter how much it hurt or how embarrassed she felt. Natalie was right, Evan was a good guy. He would understand.
The sun had set by the time CeCe stirred, and she flung her legs over the bed. She didn’t have much time to get ready before their double date with Max and Ginny. She knew it wouldn’t be a carbon copy of their date with Natalie and Anthony, but she still didn’t want to be late.
Gathering her purse, CeCe flung open her hotel door and bumped right into Max and Ginny. They held hands as they walked toward the elevator, Ginny’s head resting on Max’s shoulder. They fit together like two puzzle pieces, and it was easy to see why they belonged together.
“Perfect timing,” Max said when he saw CeCe.
Ginny hugged CeCe. “It’s good to see you. How are you feeling about tomorrow?” From the expression Ginny wore, CeCe could tell Max had spilled the beans about her past with Eric. Proving, yet again, that Evan really needed to hear the truth from her.
“I’m feeling good. Excited to get started.” CeCe pushed the button for the elevator and the door opened. Evan stood there in slacks and a button-up shirt, looking like he was ready for a night out on the town.
“Hey,” he greeted, tugging CeCe into the elevator first and kissing her cheek. “You look amazing, as usual,” he said under his breath before detaching and reaching out to shake Max’s hand and wave to Ginny. “You guys look adorable.”
Ginny flushed at his words and melted into Max’s side. “Evan, you’re too sweet. We were talking about tomorrow. Are you feeling ready?”
Evan nodded, draping his arm over CeCe’s shoulder and tucking her against his side. She drew strength from his closeness. Being near him was the best place to be, her own safe haven from life’s chaos.
