He plucks the remote from my hands and replaces it with a set of keys.
“I’ve got a hotel room near the paddock, so the house is yours for as long as you’re in town. The fridge is stocked, and everything else in the house is ready for you. Please stay as long as you like.”
Words elude me. All I can do is blink.
“Still mad?” Mia asks.
Snapping out of it, I turn to her. She was in on this. Clearly.
“Why did you do this?” I ask Alaric, the question coming out harsher than I intended.
I’m not mad. I’m just… stunned.
He takes a step back, contrition swimming in his eyes, and scrubs a hand over the stubble on his jaw.
I am once again shamefully jealous of his damn hand.
Except my jealousy is significantly worse than the first time I noted that strong grip and those hair-dusted knuckles. Because now I know what that scruff feels like against my skin. I’m painfully familiar with exactly how soft and lush his hair is when it’s not styled with product. I’m intimately acquainted with every part of this man. And I miss him so much it burns.
“You were direct with me about your career aspirations,” he says, rocking back on his heels. “Despite my initial bullheadedness, I heard you loud and clear when you said this business is your dream.”
He peers over his shoulder, taking in the transformed space. When did he find the time to do all this? It’s beyond anything I could have dreamed up for myself.
“Having to create makeshift setups in hotel rooms again and again can’t be easy. You deserve a dedicated workspace. We didn’t work out, and for that, I am truly, deeply sorry. But I want to support you even if I’m not in the picture.”
Silence hangs between us as I study the space again, reveling in the grandness of this gesture.
“Alaric,” I start, tears cascading down my cheeks.
He waves me off, heading for the open bay door. “I had the couch cleaned and fully restored,” he says. As if it’s all no big deal. As if this isn’t the single most caring, supportive, thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me.
“I’ll leave you to it. I’m already packed up.” He nods toward a suitcase sitting just inside the door. “All the security cameras and alarms are on timers. I sent the codes and a link to the app to your email. Text me if something comes up or you need anything at all.”
With that, he turns and walks away.
CHAPTER 62
ALARIC
Ican’t sleep. That’s nothing new.
Though tonight, I also can’t stop pacing, and I have yet to touch anything from the room service tray I ordered an hour ago.
Seeing Evangeline earlier was the brightest spot in my week. Walking away from her was agony.
But it was necessary. I fucked up. I apologized. I asked for her to take me back once and she denied me. She set clear boundaries, and I will not disrespect them by asking again. This time, she has to come to me.
Actions speak louder than words. It’s why I’ve worked tirelessly to support my son and encourage him to make amends. It’s why I spent tens of thousands of dollars transforming my garage into a dedicated studio space for the next few weeks and any other time she wants. It’s why I’ve spent all my free time brainstorming how I can add value to Evangeline’s life in both big and small ways.
Yet I still fear I haven’t done enough.
“Let it be,” I mutter, stalking around the room like a caged animal.
Let it be, let it be, let it be.
I can’t settle. Can’t focus. And when my phone vibrates in my pocket, I nearly jump out of my skin.
A notification appears on the screen informing me that Evangeline is live.
