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ChapterEighteen
MITCH
Guilt had never sat easily under Mitch’s skin. Too itchy. Too close to judgment. And the truth was, despite all her hovering, Eva had been anything but judgmental.
When his mom split, he hadn’t wanted to miss her. Not at first. She’d packed her clothes and her complaints, and Mitch was relieved to see the back of both. Especially as he watched his dad slowly come to life again.
Mitch didn’t miss the fighting, but even so, her leaving had left a hole. One that Eva had repaired.
He knew what he was worth, what he was capable of. He knew he was deserving of love, and it was as much Eva’s doing as his dad’s.
Had he ever thanked her for that?
For teaching him comfort and support? For being the loving, compassionate presence he needed in his life, then and now?
What an awful realization to have.
“You didn’t need to say it. I know.”
“Don’t give me an out. I’m a shit for not telling you.” Of course, she would have let him go on like that. “Thank you.”
It wasn’t until the first tear fell from her eye that he even realized shecouldcry.
That’s strike two.
He fumbled, flapping his hands uselessly, because how the hell was he supposed to comfort a being who didn’t have a body?
“Shit, I didn’t mean to make you cry. Fuck.”
“Stop cussing so much,”she said with a watery smile.
“Sorry.” And he was, for so much more than that.
“I told you; I know.”And then she was doing her little head tilt thing, and he might as well have been five years old again.“But thank you for saying it. I didn’t know how much I needed to hear it until now.”
What he would give to hug her. “I know I haven’t always been the easiest to look after, but…” Okay, now he was choking up.Breathe through it, Langford. She needs this.“Uh, it really means a lot to me, what you did. And uh, I wouldn’t be half the man I am if you hadn’t been there.”
New tears tracked down her cheeks, but her smile was fixed.“You’re everything you were meant to be, Mitch. And it’s been my deepest honor to watch you flourish. And,”she said, wiping her cheeks,“I’m sorry for messing with Gisborne.”
“I knew that was you!”
“In my defense, I had a bet to win.”
A bet. Of course.
“And while I wish I could stay, I’ve put this off far longer than I should have. You’ve been telling me you’re ready for a while now, but I haven’t been. You’re so special to me, and I’m so proud of you.”
His throat went hot and tight, and he lifted his chin, blinking at the ceiling until it passed.
“Time for goodbye, huh?”
“Yes. But somehow, I think you’ll be okay without me.”
He nodded. “Did you at least win the bet?”
Eva laughed.“He’s claiming it’s a tie.”
“Asshole.”
