Page 102 of Trust Me

“Eve!” Riley says in surprise.

“Hi, Aunt Ry,” Eve greets as if it’s totally normal for her to be here. The girl’s eyes move around her aunt and find me. They widen in surprise.

Riley glances over her shoulder. “Oh God,” she groans. “Ladybug, what are you doing here?”

“Why do you have your pillows and blankets in your hands? Were you planning on having a living room camp night like we did this summer?”

“What? No. Wait, one thing at a time.” Riley moves to the living room and drops her pillows and blanket onto the couch, then turns to Eve.

I stand back and observe as Riley clasps Eve’s shoulders.

“How did you even get here? Are you okay?” She checks her niece over.

“I’m fine. I told you I could travel by myself.”

“How did you manage this?”

“The airlines will let someone my age travel alone. And I used the emergency credit card you gave me.”

“That’s for emergencies. Did something happen? Why didn’t the school call me?” Riley looks beside herself with worry.

“It was really simple, Aunt Riley. All I had to do was book my flight and then catch a cab from the airport here. I memorized our address three years ago like you taught me to do.”

“Baby, that doesn’t explain what you’re doing here. You should be safe in your dorm room. You have classes tomorrow. I—”

“No, please don’t make me go back there,” Eve cries out. She wraps her arms around Riley’s mid-section and holds tightly.

Riley returns the hug before kissing the top of Eve’s head.

“What happened? Tell me what’s wrong?” she pleads.

My chest tightens watching the scene in front of me. I hate hearing the desperation in both of their voices.

“Nothing’s wrong. I just missed you. Can I stay?” Eve asks on the verge of tears. “Please, I’ll be good. I promise. I missed you so much.” At this point she’s crying.

Riley hugs her tighter. “Of course. I would never kick you out. I want to know what’s going on, that’s all.”

“Nothing.” Eve pulls back. “I’m really tired. Can I go to bed?”

Riley cups her face. “Are you hungry?”

“I ate on the plane.”

“Okay, come on. I’ll tuck you in. But tomorrow you’re going to explain everything to me.”

Eve nods and then starts to turn for the other hallway that leads to her bedroom. The same one Riley planned on sleeping in.

“Who’s he?” Eve suddenly acknowledges me for the first time since she entered.

I should’ve let them have their moment and gone back to the bedroom. But something holds me in place. A feeling I don’t care to explore at the moment.

“He’s … uh,” Riley hesitates. “Kyle.”

Eve blinks. “Oh, Mr. Kyle. I talked to you on the phone, right? When Aunt Ry had one of her headaches.”

I look up at Riley who’s avoiding my gaze.

“That’s me.”

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