Chapter 38 #2
I rub my palms together between my knees. Sitting on the couch shoulder to shoulder like this right now makes it feel like we’re two naughty schoolchildren waiting for their parents to get home and punish them for skipping school. I’m not sure the reality is any easier for me to prepare for.
If I called Aubrey, I have no doubt she’d give me advice.
Hell, she’d spend the next few minutes coaching me with what to say and what to avoid, but that would mean leaving Roman’s side.
And after what happened earlier and the conversation that’s still on repeat in my mind, I can’t bear the thought of being away from him, even for a few minutes.
The meal we cooked for the three of us is nearly done now, and the scent of homemade lasagne drifts through Roman’s house, reminding me that I actually helped in the kitchen. It’s the first time I’ve done something other than watch and listen to him cook for me, and I already want to do it again.
“Are you sure that she still likes lasagne? Or is it something she liked ages ago but grew out of and didn’t have the courage to tell you?”
“Brielle,” he says, tone firm despite the lingering gentleness. “I’m positive. Everything will go just fine.”
“And if it doesn’t? If she tells us that she forbids this?”
“She won’t.”
I sit straighter and scoot to the edge of the couch, body facing him. “But what if she did? Then what?”
“If the roles were reversed and we were about to tell Wes, what would you say to that question?”
“My brother is not the same as Evie. If he was mad about it, I’d apologize and tell him that we’re both old enough to make our own decisions. You’re his boss, but I don’t plan on getting involved in your career. That’s that. But this is your niece we’re talking about. It isn’t as simple.”
“No, it’s not. But neither of us has done anything wrong. And if she’s upset, then we’ll accept that and deal with it, but it won’t change how I feel about you. I told you I was sure, Brielle. I meant that.”
It sounds perfect. Like everything I want to hear.
But I can’t help but wonder how confident he truly is, considering he still won’t speak to me about his sister.
All I know are the small bits he’s shared, and while I appreciate them, it’s not the same.
If he’s truly as sure as he’s saying, then surely he’s ready to share more?
At least something more than what I’ve gotten thus far.
How can you decide you’re really ready to marry someone and start a life with them if you’re still keeping secrets?
Yeah, Brielle, how?
“I need to tell—” I start, only to be cut off by the front door opening.
My tongue goes numb when Evie shuts it behind her and kicks her sneakers off, sending them tumbling forward a few feet. She hasn’t noticed us yet and busies herself with shrugging her cardigan down her arms, revealing the Save The Trees shirt that’s tucked into the top of her patchy jeans.
“Are you home?” she calls out.
Roman clears his throat loudly, catching her attention. Her eyes go wide when she whirls around and places a hand to her chest.
“Wanted a bit of free entertainment, did you?” she asks him before sliding her eyes to me. They grow impossibly wider. “Brielle? Did we have plans? I swear I didn’t forget anything.”
I force a smile. “No, we didn’t have plans.”
“Okaaaay,” she drawls awkwardly. “This feels very weird.”
Roman’s knee begins to bounce. “Could you sit with us?”
“Uh, sure.”
I want to bury my face in a pillow and scream with how tense the air has gotten. It’s obvious that something’s up now. This isn’t some nonchalant info drop. Maybe we’ve gone about this wrong.
Before she can make it to the couch, I’m standing. I slap my thighs and blurt out every thought in my head.
“We’re dating. Me and Roman. Your uncle and I.
” I wince, watching as the initial shock hits her.
“I’ve been so scared that you’re going to think that I only started hanging out with you because of him, but I need you to know that’s not the case.
Not at all. You’re a really cool girl, Evie.
And regardless of him, I want you to be my friend.
So does Aubrey. You’re also incredibly talented, and the work you’ve done is by far the best I’ve ever seen.
That’s why I booked that boudoir shoot and why I’ve told everyone who will listen to do the same.
My feelings for Roman haven’t ever had any influence over that or our friendship.
Hell, even if he had continued shutting me down and being a total ass, I’d be here watching movies with you and drinking wine while we gossip.
So . . . yeah. That’s all I have to say. ”
The following seconds are the longest of my life.
I know Roman’s looking at me, and he could be mad at me for spewing all of this before he had the chance to say something. That wouldn’t change the fact that I’ve already done what I needed to. If I can’t tell him about Crushedvelvet, then at least I did this.
“Alright.”
What?
“Alright?” Roman asks, bewildered.
Evie looks from him to me and then back to him again, her gaze slightly narrowed. She takes the claw clip out of her hair and snaps it in the air twice.
“If you’re telling me this, then clearly, you’re serious about each other.
And considering you’ve never once brought a woman home or told me a single thing about your love life since I came to live with you, I’m going to guess you’re in love with her, too.
So, yeah, alright.” She focuses on me now, a slow smile climbing her face.
“And I wouldn’t have thought you were using me, even without the speech. It was a good touch, though.”
My shoulders slump forward. “You’re . . . one of the most surprising people I’ve ever met.”
“Is that a compliment?”
“Yes,” I blurt out before laughing.
Nobody mentions her bringing up love.
Roman’s hand finds my back and stays there, even when Evie follows the movement. “I don’t want you to say anything for my benefit. I need the truth from you. You’re my family.”
“I mean it, Uncle. Personally, I don’t think you could have done better than Elle in the first place.”
I shake my head, still trying to digest her reaction. Roman is silent, but I know he’s doing the same.
She finally joins us on the couch and flops down beside me. “Did you cook lasagne?”
“Yes,” he answers.
“Damn. You really were worried.”