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“Is this okay?” I asked her gently, looking down at myself. I loved them all. They took on the role of being mothers to me and Sammy without even needing to, but Eve was who I looked to for guidance most. She was there when my mother died. She was there for it all. My mom saved her and Jaron. She sacrificed her life for them, and I found because of that very reason, it brought us closer somehow.
I never usually cared what I looked like, knowing the woman wouldn’t be seeing my face for long anyway. It was an asshole trait of mine and one I wasn’t proud of but most of the females I had slept with only got my dick. That was it. Not my gentle touches, my kind words, or my need to wine and dine them. These traits, they were all for Ainsley. There was something special about her and while I didn’t know what it was, I went in with open arms, hoping to one day find out.
Eve shook herself, a shuddered breath leaving her before she gave me a wide smile. “It’s perfect, Cyrus.” She came up to me and grabbed my hand, leading me to a floor-length mirror in the corner of the room. She stopped us in front of it and leaned her head against my shoulder, meeting my gaze in the reflection of the mirror. “They’re right you know. I saw your dad in a suit once. He took your mom out on a date. She insisted that he didn’t need to dress up for her. You want to know where they went?”
I nodded quickly.
“To the backyard.” Eve laughed lightly. “The guys did up the yard for them and everything. Greyson and I even let them use the little house in the backyard so it could feel like they were at a hotel in a way. It was so romantic. The guys teased your dad and said they would have to up their game.”
My heart swelled at the image she was painting for me. I hated asking about our parents, knowing it hurt to talk about them, but every time I got a piece of information, I soaked it up. Sammy on the other hand, would leave. He didn’t want to hear it. He was pissed that they left us even though it wasn’t their fault. At all.
“Where were Sammy and I?” I asked as Zillah and Sara came up on my right.
“You were with Greyson and me. I was still pregnant with Jaron at the time. We spent the night watching movies and both of you fell asleep on your blankets and pillows you had on the floor. You don’t remember that? You would have been around eight I think.”
“Mom died shortly after, didn’t she?” The air suddenly became thick around us.
“Yeah, she did.” Eve turned me toward her, straightening my tie. “I loved your mom. She took me under her wing and helped me through one of the darkest times of my life. She saved Jaron and me. I know...” Her chin wobbled. “I know I’ve said it before, but I am sorry for the shit I brought here. If it wasn’t for me, your mom—”
“Stop.” I pulled her into my arms. “It’s not your fault. Everything happens for a reason.” Neither Sammy nor I blamed Eve for her ex killing our mom. That thought never even crossed our minds.
“You be good to this girl.” Eve pulled out of my arms and straightened my jacket. “I don’t know what’s going on with your brother but I’m sure we’ll find out in time. Whatever it is, I know he’ll come around. He’s just...he’s sad right now and is using his anger to mask that but I think there’s a lady in his life and it’s driving him crazy because he doesn’t know how to deal with these feelings.”
“How do you know that?” It wasn’t like he ever talked about Red.
“Trust me.” Eve patted my cheek. “Us ladies know things but don’t worry about him. You need to take care of yourself. You helped Jaron and Piper when needed and I can never thank you enough for that, but you need to focus on yourself now.”
“I don’t know how to but I’m trying,” I muttered.
“I know. I can see that. Especially since you’re standing here in a suit for a lady, I’m assuming you hardly know.”
I nodded.
A sad smile crossed her face. “Sammy took your parents’ deaths the hardest, but he won’t admit it of course. He likes to hide his feelings. It’ll take a strong woman to shatter his shell. And whether he’s found her yet or not, it’ll happen.” She cupped my cheek. “You like this girl.”
I nodded again because what else could I even say?
“You’re taking her out for dinner and then what else?”
“Just dinner. I’ll pick her up and drive her home and make sure she gets inside safely as well.” Taking Ainsley out on the date was my move, but anything more than that and it was all up to her. I may have spent the night last time we were together after having too much wine, but it wouldn’t happen again until she was ready.
“You are so sweet.”
“She’s a lucky girl.”
“I can’t wait to meet her.”
When all three of them spoke at the same time, I could only laugh. “I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow. But right now, I really need to go.” I gave myself one final look in the mirror.
“You’re handsome,” Eve said, giving me a hug. “Your parents would be so proud of you.”
I hugged her back, squeezing her a little longer. I thanked the ladies for their help and left the room with them at my sides.
Once we reached the main floor, it was a little more packed with people than I expected.
Whistles sounded once I was noticed.
“Fucking hell,” I muttered.
