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Nick nodded somewhat reluctantly. “What did they say?”
“That it’s happening and you’re involved.” Weaving slightly, Evie frowned as Nick’s focus strayed over her head, his eyes widening. “Why didn’t you tell m—?”
“Careful!” he barked, tugging her close, but his reaction wasn’t quick enough and someone slammed full pelt into her back.
“Oww!” Evie exclaimed into his chest, her ears filled with the perpetrator’s “Sorry!” and a child’s shrill wail.
“It’s okay, sweetheart.” The woman sniffed. “I’ve got you.”
Leia? Looking over her shoulder, Evie saw little Luke’s tear-streaked cheeks and then, as she turned around, Leia’s panicked blue eyes.
“Oh, Evie! I’m sorry!” She clutched her son tight, her hand shaking as she cradled his blond curls. “Some drunk guy crashed into us.”
Evie spotted a staggering Stuart, the contents of his pint glass saturating the children’s play area. A pair of quick-thinking staff members rushed over, calmly ushering him toward the exit while a server distracted the kids.
Asshole! Evie touched Leia’s arm. “Are you two all right?”
“I’m a bit freaked out.” Her voice wobbled. “It happened so fast and with Luke’s health issues…” The previous summer, Leia and Tarquin’s two-year-old had undergone surgery for a heart defect. She kissed her son on his forehead. “I should tell Tarq I’m heading home, call a cab.”
“I’ll drive you,” said Nick. “And I’ll stay till Tarquin’s done DJing.”
“You sure?” Brushing her red hair away from her eyes, Leia glanced at Evie. “I don’t want to pull you away if…”
She shook her head. “We’re fine. It’s nothing that can’t wait.”
* * *
With the ache in her abdomen stealing her fun, Evie decided to trade Sunita and Fiona’s drunken dance-off for her Paddington Bear hot water bottle at home. She did a loop of the restaurant, hugging goodnight to her friends and saying goodbye to all the wonderful Tomlinson folk she had served over the summer, her memories fond and plentiful. Once outside in the quiet briskness, she rang Sam asking if he could pick up a few things for her from the late-night grocery near his house. She also texted Nick during the five-minute walk to her apartment.
Evie:
Left the party early. Have overdue accounting to tackle before Mum’s back. Hope Leia and Luke are okay. Talk tomorrow morning x
Evie needed to know Nick’s reason for keeping the Dalston news from her as soon as possible, and even more worrisome, if he harbored any additional secrets he had conveniently forgotten to share.
Within the hour, her brother and her Crohn’s-friendly groceries had arrived on her doorstep. Sam busied himself in the kitchen while Evie turned off her phone and snuggled up on the sofa, cocooned in her old Starlight Express t-shirt, baggy track pants, and purple hoodie. She held her Paddington hot water bottle against her belly and began to doze off as a repeat of Lost played on the TV.
“Here you go.”
Blinking awake, Evie spied Sam walking toward her, a steaming bowl in his hands. She gladly accepted the chicken broth with a heartfelt “Thanks” but received a judgmental glower in return.
Honestly? After all these years?! Let it go! She stirred her soup. “Don’t say it.”
“Someone has to—”
“Sammy!”
“What’s up with you and Nick?”
Oh—didn’t expect that. Evie looked up from her bowl. “I thought you were gonna scold me for going out—for old time’s sake.”
His silent stare signaled that her attempt at levity fell flat.
“Nick and I are bound to be in the same place, Sam. I am—well, was—working for him.” Evie blew on a spoonful of broth and took a careful sip.
“I know about Rackwick.”
She dunked her spoon again. “So? I got stranded. The whole crew did.”
