“Brought to you by the magic of Google and an email or two,” Eve says.
“And lots of telephone calls,” Lucy laughingly puts in.
And then I’m looking at her, my sister. The internet connection is poor, but it doesn’t stop me from noticing how glossy her eyes are.Mine too.
“How your ears must’ve burned,” she says.
“You put in a good word for me, though, I’m sure.” My words are all bluster as gladness rushes through me.
“I told her the truth.”
“Which is what I deserve,” I answer in a more serious tone.
“That you deserve happiness. You both do. I love you, Oliver. Now, stop being a prat, and give Eve a proper kiss.”
“Luce!” Eve exclaims.
“I’m ending the call now, but I expect to hear from you both soon.”
The call ends, and Eve puts her phone back on a grubby, makeshift dresser. “I like Lucy a whole lot.”
“She inherited the good traits,” I answer, swallowing thickly. I can’t believe they’ve been in contact, that they’re ... friends? “I miss her.”
“She misses you.” She folds her arms, not exactly defensively—more like she’s trying to hold herself together. “You have to get over the past, Oliver. Make things right.”
My heart gives a little pang. Just like Eve, putting others first.
“I will—I am,” I insist, desperation poking me in the ribs. “I got over Atherton.”
Her gaze lifts, but not her head, as she eyes me skeptically.
“It’s true. I was blinded for a while, but you brought me into the light. You’re more important than revenge, more important than anything. I didn’t try to steal Nora’s land. I just made a pig’s arse out of myself trying to impress you.”
“Impress me?”
“I wanted to make up for all I’d done to you. Hell, it’s not even that. You make me see things differently, Eve. You fucking inspire me.You are so kind and so lovely.” I close my eyes, not quite believing what I’m about to say. “Damn it, you make me want to be a better man!”
“Wow. That’s quite an accusation,” she says, her words as tremulous as her expression.
“Not that I’mallbad.”
She pulls a face as though considering this. “Maybe not even half-bad,” she eventually says with a shrug.
“Good.” I blow out a breath. “I mean, thank you.” She smiles, and I find myself rushing on. “That auction lot—a night with me? Does that strike you as something I’d ever be into?”
“Not for charity, at least. That was meant to be a joke,” she adds quickly. “I know it wasn’t you, but at the time ...”
“I gave you a thousand reasons to worry, I know. Eve, I’m—”
“All I could see was how you’d manipulated me. You were about to propose, and even that felt the same. I told myself you were just like Mitch.”
“—so sorry.” But it isn’t enough. Not after those words. God, I’ve made such a mess of things.
“I was so confused. I had so many thoughts swirling through my head. Everything you’d done, everything you’d said. The good and the bad, all of it.”
“Darling, I’m so sorry. I was wrong about so many things.”
“You’re not listening, Oliver. I couldn’t trust myself to stay, but I should have. I should’ve trusted my heart—it’s there where I know who you truly are.”
