Page 24 of An Unholy Affair
She sprang to her feet. ‘Can—’
‘Where did you put the packet?’ Patricia asked, her head turning listlessly to glance around the room.
‘In the medicine box,’ Jack replied. ‘Do you want me to bring you one up?’
She nodded and started towards the door.
‘Patricia,’ Eveline began.
She wiped the corners of her eyes. ‘Jack will take over from here. I don’t want to deal with any of it.’
They both left and Eveline’s knees wobbled. She gripped the side of the chair.
God, that was a bit of a shock.
Taking a slow breath in through her nose, she pursed her lips and exhaled it for as long as she could. She repeated the cycle until the pounding in her head lessened.
I’ll be alright. It just took me by surprise, that’s all. What happened with Gracie seems like a lifetime ago, but then suddenly I’m right there again, as if it was yesterday.
At the sound of the door, her gaze snapped to meet Jack’s as he entered the room. They spoke at once.
‘Is she—’
‘Are you—’
‘—okay?’ they said in unison, then both nodded.
Putting her notebook in her bag, she stood.
His eyes widened. ‘You’re going?’
Her heart raced. ‘Yes, I have a long list of things to do this morning.’
‘But—’ He ran his hands through his damp hair. ‘I don’t know what the fuc—what the hell—’ He huffed. ‘I don’t know what to do in this situation.’
She tried not to smile at his attempt not to swear. Most people didn’t realise she saw the worst of people every day, as well as the best. Not much shocked or offended her anymore.
‘There are lots of resources online,’ she began, trying to keep her voice steady as she focused on closing her bag as slowly as possible.
‘Could you—I mean, er… Would you mind…?’
Look at him! He’s just a man!She dragged her gaze up his body to his face. Her lips parted, but only air came out.Oh, but what a man… The effect he’d had on her in the bar seemed to have multiplied over the past twelve months. Now she was aroused beyond belief and struck dumb as well.
His brow furrowed, his eyes pinched as if in pain. ‘Eveline… I know it’s a lot to ask, but would you be willing to help me? Help guide me through what I need to do?’
His plea lodged deep in her heart. Not being a priority to her family growing up meant helping others gave her life meaning and value. She would never say no to anyone. And right now, Jack seemed as lost as she’d been, many years ago.
She nodded. ‘Yes, I will.’
He sagged with relief. ‘I can’t thank you enough.’
She held her bag to her chest like a life preserver. She needed to get outside into the fresh air, but in order to do this, she had to walk past him to the door.Do not look to your right. You CANNOT climb out of the window!
‘When?’ he asked.
‘What?’
‘Can you help? Are you free now?’
