Page 23 of The Secrets We Keep

“Mr. Miller, I’d say it was nice to meet you, but I don’t believe in lying. Thank you again for finding my sister. I’ll be forever grateful that you did, though I wished you hadn’t hurt her in the process.”

She walks off, same old Sarah. Classy but tells it like it is. It’s why I love her. I don’t even bother looking at Landon, I turn and start walking while trying to wipe my eyes. I probably look like a raccoon with eyeliner and mascara running down my face.

“Damnit Evie, would you stop for just one minute.” Landon continues to follow me, but I don’t stop.

“I know this looks bad, but please you have to know you were not just some chick I slept with.”

I stop but don’t turn to look at him. I take a deep breath and exhale. “Landon please go away. You’ve done enough.”

I barely get the words out. My heart is breaking into tiny pieces but I continue, “Go away Landon. Your job is done. Just leave me alone.”

I finally turn to him, he looks sad. He runs his hands through his hair again and he wears a defeated look on his face.

“If that’s what you truly want, I’ll leave you alone. Just know that’s not what I want. Not at all, but I’ll respect your wishes.”

“That’s what I want. I’ve lived in hell and then you gave me a little slice of heaven. I should have known better, heaven doesn’t exist in my world.” I say the words as tears fall from my face and I can’t be sure, though I think Landon’s eyes are slightly glistening.

“Goodbye Landon.”

I turn and leave him there on that corner.

Chapter 11

I get in my car and rush home. I’m completely crushed and confused. Landon isn’t a web designer. He’s a damn private investigator. Lies. Everything I thought I knew about him was a lie. Not that I am much better. I didn’t use him and I didn’t exactly lie to him, I just withheld the truth.

By the time I par

k the car and make it to my building I’m sobbing so bad I have snot bubbles. Real cute. I don’t bother locking the door. Sarah should be here soon. I go straight to my room and collapse on the bed. How stupid could I be? I cry into my pillow. I’m so hurt and that makes me realize that perhaps my feelings for Landon are stronger than I wanted to believe.

I’m still bawling my eyes out when Sarah arrives with lunch. She comes into my room and sits on the bed.

“Eleanor I’m so sorry. I had no idea he was dating you. He never made that known to me.”

I believe her, yet I say nothing. Really what is there to say?

“Eleanor let’s have lunch.”

She pulls me up and embraces me the way a mother would embrace their child. It makes my heart hurt a little less.

“Okay.” I mumble, heading into the bathroom to clean myself up. I look in the mirror and boy what a mistake that is. I look like a train wreck. My eyes are puffy and bloodshot. It takes a few minutes to scrub the mascara that’s coated my cheeks, leaving them red by the time I get it all off.

As I make my way to the kitchen table I hear my text message alert going off. I turn and look around. I don’t even know where it is. After a minute or so of looking I finally locate it half in my purse. I must have just dropped my purse when I came in because I found it on the ground, contents scattered about. Picking it up is a mistake. Several missed calls from Landon and three texts.

Evie please talk to me.

Hear me out. It’s not what you think.

Please let me explain.

I’m starting to tear up when Sarah interrupts my thoughts.

“Eleanor come eat.”

I decide to reply against my better judgement.

There’s nothing to explain.

I hit send and drop my phone back to the floor before going to sit across from Sarah.

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