I didn’t move as she hurried over. When she reached me, I instinctively stepped back, putting space between us.
“What are you doing here, Evie?” I said under my breath.
She looked up at me, her expression hopeful, almost pleading. “You haven’t been answering my calls, Cam. I just want a chance to talk.”
“There’s nothing left to talk about, Evie. It’s over.”
But she didn’t back down. “Maybe we could grab a coffee?” she said. “Is there somewhere nearby we can sit and talk?”
“Evie.” I exhaled sharply. “I’m not getting coffee with you. This is my workplace. My siblings work here. My friends are here. And most importantly, Sloane is here.”
“Cameron,” she said, her voice unsteady. “I just need a few minutes to talk.”
God, this woman was shattered because of me. “Please, Evie,” I said softly. “Just let me go.”
Her eyes started to glisten, her lips trembling, and then, without warning, she stepped forward and slipped her arms around me, looking up at me with that heart-wrenching desperation. I went still, caught completely off guard. For a moment, I didn’t move. But then instinct kicked in, and I pushed myself back. Her arms dropped to her sides.
“Let it go, Evie. Please.”
I turned away, leaving her standing there. But I only made it a few steps before I saw Caroline in front of me, blocking my path. Her expression was livid, her eyes burning as she leaned to the side to catch a glimpse behind me.
“Is that her?” she hissed. “How dare you bring her here!”
“Car, I didn’t—”
But then she cut me off, her face suddenly draining of color.
“Oh, holy shit,” she whispered, eyes going wide. “Sloane’s following her.”
I turned so fast it nearly knocked the breath out of me—and there it was. Evie was rushing out the front entrance, and just behind her, Sloane was on her heels.
Chapter Ten
Sloane
Iwatched the scene unfold in slow motion, even as the world around me continued to spin at full speed.
Cameron pushed himself away from her, then turned and walked off without a word.
What was happening?
At first, all I felt was shock and a sharp sting of betrayal—that he’d bring her here, to this hospital, knowing I’d be here.
And then I saw her turn around and rush toward the entrance. In that split second, when her face aligned with mine, I caught it.
She was crying.
Before I realized what I was doing, my feet moved.
I ran after her.
She walked quickly, her hand darting to her face, perhaps trying to hide her tears from the crowd. Without slowing down, she marched straight toward the parking lot.
“Evie Moore,” I called out.
She came to a sudden halt, frozen for a beat before she slowly turned around.
I stepped closer until I was standing right in front of her. She really was crying.
