“He’s so kind to me.”
“And he’s not bad-looking too.” Rosa winked. “I know he can drive women crazy with one look. Oh, does he have fans.”
“Does he?” Eva laughed with her.
“Before he turned into a recluse.”
Eva sipped the juice. It tasted so fresh. “Why did he do that?”
“Because of the scandal with Natalie. It was all over the news, you know? The press wouldn’t give him a break. They hounded him night and day. It was a circus.”
“Really?” Eva shook her head. “I don’t understand why someone would leave a man like Liam.”
“Like I said, you never know inside one’s heart.”
So true. Eva couldn’t imagine leaving a man like him. Her heart ached just by thinking about it. “I’m so lucky to have him.”
“And he’s lucky to have you. Be good to him, won’t you? He has been through a lot.”
Eva blushed again. “I will.”
*
Liam called just before lunch to say that he was going to be late. He asked her how she was feeling. Eva went bubbly with his attention. She felt special and she didn’t think she was special before…before she lost her memory. She didn’t miss it. Not one bit. She had him. It was more than enough to make a woman happy.
“Do you want anything before I drive home?” he asked on the phone.
“No, I’m fine.”
“You sure. Maybe you’re in the mood for something. Pizza? Fruits? Godiva chocolate.”
“Chocolate sounds good. Do I like chocolate?”
“Babe, every woman loves chocolate.”
Eva laughed. “See you when you get home.”
“Love you.”
She paused. “Love you too.”
Silence stretched on the other end. “Do you mean it?”
“I do, Liam.”
“You’re so cute.” Then he disconnected.
A rush of giddiness surged through her. He loved her and he thought she was cute. She volunteered to help Rosa make dinner, but Rosa said she didn’t need help. Eva then played with Hades while waiting for Liam to get home. She chased him from room to room while admiring the house. Out of all the rooms, Liam’s bedroom was the barest of all. Others were nicely furnished without being tacky. Liam’s home office looked grand with wall-to-wall rich walnut wainscot and intricate moldings. A set of leather chairs graced the fireplace. His desk was rather bare. Only a laptop and a book were on the surface. Eva stepped closer. There were photos stacked on top of the book. She looked closer.
Hey, it was photos of her!
She grabbed them and started to leaf through them. A photo taken on the beach; she was wearing a one-piece swimsuit, laughing. Somehow she just knew it was Coney Island boardwalk. Another picture snapped at what seemed to be an office. Her office. No, more like a library. Hey, how did she know that was a library? Eva scrutinized the other people in the photos, trying to refresh her memory. Everything was blank. Those people were as much strangers as Liam was.
A frisson of trepidation shot through her.
Why had Liam lied? How did he get her things? He said he found her in the water. Did he know who she was? She tried hard to remember but nothing came to her. He said he’d hired a private investigator because she wasn’t showing up in any system. If she was just a regular Jane Doe, how did he get hold of her personal items? If she was found in the water, she wouldn’t bring photos with her, would she?
Eva snatched the book; it was a diary. She started reading. She recognized the handwriting as hers. Just to make sure, she scoured Liam’s desk for a pen and paper. She scribbled on it and compared it to the diary. No doubt. This was her handwriting. The diary was hers.