Page 79 of Smoke Show

I asked about her day, enjoying her enthusiasm for the project she completed, a logo for a small business in a neighboring county, letting her finish her first slice before broaching the subject of Jenny’s mom.

"So, my day got a little weird at the end. Mrs. Masterson called."

Eve's nose wrinkled. "Jenny’s mom, the one who invited Scott to the play?"

"The very same."

"What did she have to say?" Eve asked. Her tone sounded carefully neutral, but she'd tensed.

"About what you might expect from a small-minded woman who wants to make sure her daughter is lead in the next play."

"Did she threaten you with something about me?" Eve asked, her voice small.

I reached for her hand, squeezing it.

"Not exactly. She blew a lot of smoke. I just didn't want you blindsided if she starts talking about us and Sammamish." Eve scowled and I smoothed a finger over her knuckles. "Hey. It's not a big deal."

"You say thatnow. I've lived it before." Eve took a shuddering breath, finally dragging her eyes up from our enjoined hands to my face. My stomach twisted at the resignation in her expression. I'd expected Eve to be fired up and ready to fight. Instead, she looked ready to give in. "I don't want you caught in the crossfire," she said.

I shook my head. "No.No. I did not tell you so you could break up with me out of some misbegotten sense of honor."

Eve shrugged. "I feel like it's the right thing to do."

"Where’s my fighter?" I asked, concerned by the exhaustion that seemed to be dragging her down. "The woman who never gave up on hosting her auction at my high school? The one who needled me mercilessly until I gave in? You're really going to let him, letthemwin?"

"I don't want you to get hurt, Brady. If they smear me, inevitably, some of it will stick to you, and that’s not fair."

Her soft words broke my heart. Eve's eyes looked watery, which was at once reassuring and terrifying. She did care. And I hated to see her cry. My earlier resolve to pick the perfect moment to tell her I loved her evaporated. In the face of her tears, none of that mattered. Not a damn bit. The only perfect moment to tell someone you loved them was early and often, no matter how messy. Tomorrow held no guarantees.

"I'll be fine. The only way you can hurt me is if you dump me over this.” I took a deep breath, steeling myself to say the words. “Haven't you figured it out yet, Eve? I'm yours if you'll have me."

My admission floated in the air between us.

"Brady, I'm not sure what to say."

"Say you care about me too, that we're a team. That we've got this."

The words tumbled out, half plea, half pep talk. Up until now, I'd been confident that we were on the same page, headed for something real. But Eve's hesitation shook me. Had I been living in a fantasy? Momentary doubt crawled around my heart, spreading tentacles of fear through my chest, squeezing tight.

Eve pushed her shoulders back, straightening. I took comfort in the fact that her hand remained locked in mine. Granted, I hadn't released her, but she hadn't tugged her hand away either.

"Two years ago, I would have said we were perfect for each other. But I've changed. Mostly for the better, but you might not see it that way. Not long-term."

Her cautious words at least gave me a place to start. A way to fight for her, prove she wasn't the only warrior in our partnership.

"I never met the Eve from two years ago," I said softly. "While she sounds lovely, the woman I love is the woman I knownow. The one with a backbone of steel. The one who's successfully pivoted mid-career and started her own business. I love the Eve that stepped up to help a small town she'd lived in for five minutes, taking on heaps of responsibility to help it thrive.I love the Ms. Pendleton who co-directed the play with me, the one who helped her students see how they could harness their talents to be a part of something bigger.That'sthe woman I know and love. The woman I'llalwayslove."

Eve's shuddering breath and watery eyes kept me on the precipice, uncertain. Had I just made a fool of myself, or convinced her we were for real? She laughed, breath unsteady.

"Brady. I'm not sure I'll ever really like being called Ms. Pendleton again, but I do like you."

I held back my wince. Like and love were worlds apart. Maybe Eve wasn't as far along as I'd like, but it was a starting place.

She swiped at her eyes, shaking her head. "It's such a weak word, and I've resolved to be strong." She smiled at me, broad and sure, holding my gaze with hers. "Brady Gleason, I love you."

“Damn, it feels good to say it.”

“Not nearly as good as it feels to hear it.”

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