Page 61 of Ultimate Justice

“I’ll buy you whatever you need,” Evan countered.

“Noah doesn’t have anything to wear, either.”

“I’ll buy him what he needs, too.” Because he wasn’t taking no for an answer. “This is strictly for Noah’s protection.” Was it the sole reason? If he quit bullshitting himself, there was something else egging on his invitation. I want her to go. I want Noah to go, too.

“Forget it.” This time she didn’t bother to shake her head.

“I can’t.” Keeping one eye on the traffic ahead, he hazarded a glance at her. “Is this about Deck bringing up my ex-girlfriend?”

“No. I just can’t go with you. I can’t—”

“Can’t what?” What was going on here?

He glanced over to see her lips compressed tightly. She took a deep, shuddering breath and swallowed. This wasn’t anger. It was fear. If this wasn’t about his ex, then what—

Understanding hit him like a clap of thunder. If he wasn’t driving, he’d smack both his hands to his forehead.

Since the death of her son, she’d been avoiding human contact as much as possible, until she had it down to a science. She’d sold her house, gotten divorced, then quit her job as a school psychologist and become a night custodian, all so she could avoid more pain. Attending events like weddings, where couples in love were starting a new life together, would be like squeezing lemon juice on an open wound.

My bad didn’t seem to cover it.

He reached for her hand. “I’m sorry. Brett and I are co-best men. I have to be at that wedding, but I can’t leave you and Noah alone.” He squeezed her fingers. “I know this will be hard, but I’ll be there with you every step of the way.”

“I’ll be there, too.” Noah reached over and rested his hand atop Evan’s.

“If you really don’t want to go, I’ll arrange for other agents to stay with you and Noah.” Even that was problematic, since most of them would be at the wedding. “Just think about it. Okay?”

With a sigh, she dragged her other hand down her face. “Okay.”

…

Ninety minutes later, and with the Welcome to Wyoming sign behind them, the self-recriminations hadn’t stopped. What was I thinking to even agree to think about it?

She hadn’t been to a wedding in years, and that was by design. Watching her friends tying the knot and starting their brand-new, happy-shiny lives while hers was imploding wasn’t something she could handle anymore. She’d always sent gifts and made up an excuse as to why she was a no-show.

The last such invitation she’d declined had been on a lovely Saturday afternoon. While one of her friends was walking down the aisle, Marlie Parker—soon to be Marlie Foxe again—was trudging down the hall to her divorce lawyer’s office to sign papers. Baby showers were even worse.

Her stomach roiled and pitched, but maybe not as much as it used to when she received a wedding invitation in the mail.

Evan glanced at her again. “Do you want me to pull over? You look ready to puke.”

Noah and Blue craned their necks between the headrests. Blue licked her cheek.

“You don’t look that bad,” Noah said. “You always look pretty. Just not right now.”

“I have to agree,” Evan said. “I mean, about you always looking pretty.”

Blue let out a soft huff, as if in agreement. It was like Evan’s and Blue’s minds were linked at the brain stem.

She turned to Noah, managing a quick smile. “Thank you.” Blue licked her again, this time on her chin. “Thank you, too, Blue.”

Evan shot her a quick, slightly lingering look before returning his eyes to the road.

At least she had the answer to her question about whether he was seeing anyone. Last night, when they’d slept together, she’d assumed he was single, which was ridiculously naïve. She’d actually harbored the silly notion that maybe there could be something between them. In the cold light of day, the truth was no longer so optimistic.

When Deck had asked if Evan was bringing Annelise to the wedding, part of her had been angry, while the other part had been relieved. It would have made the inevitable parting of the ways that much easier, and they would part company.

“Are we there yet?” Noah asked. “There’s no wifi out here.”