Page 174 of Destined Lovers

“What’s that look for?” I narrow my eyes. Why does she look so smug?

Just as she’s about to answer, the lounge door flies open, and in comes Evelyn.

“Sorry we’re so late!” she cries. “This person was taking forever,” she says as Marco drapes his arm over her shoulder.

“Someone has to look presentable here.” He looks Evelyn up and down, kisses me hello, and then heads to meet the guys.

God, I must look like a bum to him if he thinks she’s not presentable.

Evelyn is an easy ten, gorgeous beyond words. When I look at her and Belle together, the word glamorous always pops into my head. Belle plays on that and lives like the rich and famous, always going to extravagant parties and events. Evelyn, on the other hand, is more reserved, only letting loose once and a blue moon, too concerned with work and family.

“Okay, so what have I missed?” Evelyn asks.

“Fiona was a virgin until last year. She waited for Declan,” Annabelle happily informs her.

I hate you,I mouth, and she replies,I love you.

To think I thought I might not get on with her was a serious blip on my part. Annabelle is an amazing person. A little stuck-up at times, in that posh British way.

But over the last month, I’ve gotten to know her quite well, and I see a side many people don’t.

Evelyn shrugs. “I’ve only ever had sex with one person.”

She what?

“How is that possible?” I ask, and the room goes quiet. Sadie places her arm around Evelyn as she sits next to her on the sofa, and Lola reaches over to rub her leg.

“I…” She turns toward Sadie and Lola. “This will ruin the freaking night. Why did I open my big mouth?”

“It’s okay,” I whisper, sensing she’s hurt somehow.

“Well, first, I want to apologize for not being around much the last month.”

I interrupt her. “That’s okay. You had work. And I’m here to stay. We’ll have tons of time to get to know one another.” I playfully kick her foot.

Evelyn looks down. “I wasn’t working. I lied.” She pauses and then looks back up at me, teary-eyed. “Your childhood love story is similar to mine. Except I lost my husband a few years ago. It brought back many memories, good and bad, and it was hard to wrap my head around all the new feelings. However, I’ve started going to therapy. Which I now know was way overdue, and I’m in a better place. I hope you can forgive me.” She tries to smile but fails.

I gulp down my emotions. I didn’t expect her to say that. “Thank you for sharing, and never feel guilty for taking the time for yourself. I know more than anyone that healing yourself takes a lot of strength and time. Taking care of your mental health is most important.” I grab and squeeze her hand.

I’m curious to know more but won’t dare ask. So I sip my champagne, making sure my mouth stays shut. After a few moments of painful silence, Annabelle speaks up, wanting to know more about my sex life. Not sure it’s appropriate to talk about after Evelyn’s confession, or maybe it’s the exact thing to distract her when I see her smile at Belle in a silent thank you.

“I thought you were getting it from all the guys in London. Why do you need to know about my sex life?”

“Not just London, darling.” She smirks with confidence but doesn’t take her eyes off me.

“Why are you looking at me like that again?”

Her eyes stay fixed on mine. “You might have been a virgin, but something tells me that’s irrelevant. Declan is the nice, quiet, pensive type, but in the bedroom, I get a feeling he’s a freak.” She wiggles her eyebrows.

“Why would you think that?” my voice screeches. Giving myself away.

Everyone’s heads ping-pong back and forth between the two of us.

“I overheard some naughty things when you both thought you were alone at the club.”

“Oh,” is all I can muster up to say. I was a little drunk that night, so who knows what we said. Knowing us I can almost guarantee it was not PG.

“Like what?” Sadie pipes up. “Like… what do you consider kinky?”

---