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“On purpose.”
“But…why’d you do it?” asked Fiona.
“For Evie!” Sunita turned to her oldest friend. “As payback for him hurting you.”
Evie blinked. “Oh, Sun. He lost his career because of it.”
“Well, I thought he deserved it at the time.”
“And now?” asked Evie.
Sunita chewed her fingernail and shook her head. “Please don’t hate me.”
“I-I don’t know what to feel. This is just…wow.” Evie couldn’t find the words. “If Nick finds out, he might think I goaded you into publishing it.”
“Don’t worry, I’m not gonna tell him,” said Sunita. “He’s off to London tonight anyway.”
“What’s he doing there?” asked Fiona.
“Some meeting, something in person. He’ll be back late Monday,” said Evie quickly, wanting to get back to what really mattered. “Sun, I can’t let anything derail this catering gig—”
“Or their hot makeup sex,” added Fiona, with a sloppy finger point.
I should be so lucky. Evie moved the wine bottle away. “Lady, I’m cutting you off!”
Sunita leaned on the table. “Look, I know you and Nick are getting along these days and I’m all for it—if that’s what you want—but I don’t know if you can rely on him for anything more. He’s got bad form, Eves.”
“And you’re telling me something I don’t know? Why do you think I’m so conflicted?”
“But he took the blame for the raisin thing,” said Fiona. “And was a sweetheart when you burned your hand.”
“Last night, too.” Evie smiled fondly, ignoring a sinus headache that wouldn’t quit. “He was talking to the orca, trying to keep it calm.”
“See? Nick isn’t a bad guy.” Fiona popped a mushroom in her mouth. “And just ’cause it didn’t work out when you were younger, doesn’t mean it won’t now.”
“He does seem…remorseful.”
“Then why not give him a second chance?” asked Fiona. “You gave Caleb one.”
“That’s completely different. Caleb didn’t stomp on her heart. He didn’t avoid her like a coward for years.” Sunita looked at Evie, her gaze softening. “You were devastated.”
Devastated, and yet, she still wondered where Nick was, what he was doing, who he was with. Evie tortured herself for months.
“I know.” She nodded. “That’s why all this is so fucked up. I’m having major déjà vu and feeling things I shouldn’t be feeling.” She picked at the label on the wine bottle. “Although, I am tempted to give up my grudge for good. It’s not doing me any favors.”
“Don’t fight it,” said Fiona. “That’s your gut screaming, ‘Give him a second chance!’”
No, my gut’s telling me to avoid further drama. Her Crohn’s was nagging more than usual. Her uncertainty around Nick, gobbling meals on the fly, and financial worries were fueling cramps and fatigue at the worst possible time.
“Fi, just because Nick rescued a whale doesn’t mean he’s here to rescue Evie, too,” said Sunita.
She held up her hands. “I don’t need rescuing…”
“But you need hot sex!” Fiona grinned devilishly. “And don’t you dare deny it!”
NINETEEN
EVIE
