When Evie didn’t move, he barked again, “For fuck’s sake, move it, Evie!”
Sloane and I both looked at Evie, who seemed embarrassed.
That guy was the same type she used to date before she met me—rude, aggressive, and the kind who treated her like shit.
I knew she thought she had found something better with me. I was never cruel to her, never raised my voice, but I ended up hurting her differently.
And now it looked like she had gone right back to the same kind of man.
Evie looked at me, her eyes suddenly glassy. Then she whispered, “No one’s like you, Cam. No one’s ever been as good to me.”
“Then find one,” I said.
Sloane looked at me, waiting quietly, like she knew I had more to say.
“This is too much, Evie. You keep showing up here. You’ve been calling me, and I’ve been ignoring you. I’ve even blocked you. I’ve seen you hanging around the lobby more than once. You need to stop.”
I glanced at the guy still waiting, his expression growing more impatient, then looked back at her.
“There are good men out there. Better than me. You need to start valuing yourself and looking in the right direction. But it’s just not me.”
Then I took Sloane’s hand and led her out of there. Neither of us looked back.
“Oh my God, this is so good,” Sloane said through a mouthful of taco. We stood next to the vendor, eating right there on the street. She had just taken a big bite, and I couldn’t help but smile at how happy she looked.
“I’ve never had tacos this good,” she added.
“Some things just taste better from a street cart,” I said, nodding. “Feels more authentic somehow.”
“I agree,” she said, taking another bite. Then her eyes wandered. “I saw ice cream and brownies when we walked past that way,” she pointed toward another area. “I want to try that after this.”
She paused then, eyes drifting back to me. After swallowing, she frowned slightly.
“Stop worrying,” she said. “You’re looking at me like you’re afraid I might snap or something.” She hesitated again. “A valid concern. But I’m not like that anymore.”
“I know,” I said softly. “But I also know it couldn’t have been easy. With Evie before.”
Still, it surprised me how she didn’t let it ruin the night.
“It’s not,” she said with a quiet sigh. “But I’m trying to let go of the fear, Cam. And I know you’re trying. You’ve shown me you’re not going anywhere.”
“Yes,” I said, just as quietly. “Always.”
“So let’s not talk about it and just enjoy the evening,” she said, taking another bite.
“Let’s,” I replied, my smile widening.
“You just need to get used to this version of me, Cam. I know the difference between right and wrong now.”
“You don’t know how happy that makes me,” I said honestly.
“Oh, I know. You keep looking at me like you’re surprised. Even Lina, Caleb, and Caroline have been acting like they don’t recognize me anymore.”
“They told me that too.”
“I’m not going back to how I used to be,” she said, sounding determined. “I’m serious about that. And honestly, I feel better. Lighter. And I love the feeling.”
“I love it too,” I said, my chest tightening in the best way. “You’ve come a long way.”
