Page 114 of Maximus

“Hello?”

My head spun as a sweet, soft voice answered the phone.

“Zoey?”

“Eva?”

“Yeah. Tex told me he cleared it with you and Mark. I mean, he asked you guys if it was okay to call you.”

Zoey’s giggle took me off-guard until she explained, “It’s strange hearing someone call Mark, Mark. I’m so used to everyone calling him Bubba. And, yes, I’m glad you called. How are your boys?”

Whoa. This was not how I expected this conversation to start. Zoey being pissed as hell at me and telling me what a horrible person I was, was more along the lines of what I’d thought was going to happen.

“They’re safe and doing well. Thank you for asking. Listen, I wanted to apologize for what I did. I… I… there’s not a single day I don’t think about it. I’ll never forget—”

“You need to forget, Eva. We’ve forgiven you and moved on. It’s time to forgive yourself and do the same. I can’t lie and say I wasn’t scared I was going to die, because there were a few times when I was sure I wasn’t going to make it. But you know what? I did—we did—Mark and I. And because of what happened, I learned a few things about myself—I’m stronger than I thought. And, well, Mark and I have chosen to see the silver lining. We found each other because of what happened. I’m marrying the best man I’ve ever known and I can’t find it in me to be upset about that.”

“Thank you.”

“No, thank you. Mark told me you went to Alaska and talked to the ADA. Because of the recordings and your testimony, Mark doesn’t have to face a trial. I can’t tell you how much that means to me—I hate that he’s had to continually talk about what happened with Malcom. I know it’s hard for him to reconcile what his brother—his twin—did to their dad. And the ending… well, that’s something that will stick with him for the rest of his life. So, him not having to go back and testify is a huge relief.”

“I did it because it was the right thing,” I told her. “I deserved to be punished and I wasn’t.”

“Eva,” Zoey sighed. “I think you’ve punished yourself enough. Live your life and be happy. Mark and I are.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“I don’t think there’s anything left to say, Eva. Seriously, be happy.”

“Thanks, Zoey. And again, I’m so, so—”

“No need. We know you are. Take care.”

“You, too.”

Zoey disconnected and I collapsed on the bed in a heap of mangled emotions and nerves. I was damn near hyperventilating.

She’d forgiven me.

She’d told me to be happy.

Strong arms wrapped around my body and turned me over. I burrowed my face in Max’s neck and breathed him in.

“What the fuck, honey?”

“I talked to Zoey,” I sobbed. Max went solid and I loved him even more for being concerned. “She said she and Mark forgive me.”

I could feel some of the tension wane as his hands roamed my back, petting me, soothing me, but nothing could calm my racing thoughts.

“I’ll be okay,” I told him. “I just need a few minutes to wrap my head around everything.”

“Tell me what you need.”

I sagged into him, not wanting to lose him, but needing to ask.

“Would you mind keeping an eye on the kids so I can get myself together?”

If Max’s arms flexing around me was any indication, he wasn’t thrilled with my request, but I was fast learning there wasn’t much Max would deny me.