The Life You Stole (Life Duet 2)

“You lost my trust.”

“I’ll earn it back.” My urge to force an answer warred with my need to channel my anger. “Baby steps. Let’s start with dinner. Okay?” I stood and held out my hand.

Lila stared at it, void of any sort of emotion. She needed to happy that shit up before visiting with Evelyn.

“Evelyn and Ronin got a dog. Did you know that?”

Her brows lifted a fraction, not quite hitting the happy mark, but curiosity opened the door to the possibility of a real smile. Baby steps.

She rested her good hand in mine, and I helped her to her feet. Lifting her hand to my mouth, I gave it a soft kiss. “I love you. And I’m going to make you love me again too.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Evelyn

“You’re too thin.” I hugged Lila, trying to keep from bumping her shoulder. “But your hair looks fabulous. Lowlights?”

“Uh, yeah. And you have no room to talk about being too thin.” She nodded toward the formal living room just off the foyer. A tiered tray and tea for two adorned the coffee table.

“Well, this is fancy.” I lifted an eyebrow at her.

Lila, dressed in her sophisticated yet adorable burnt orange and gray jumper, took a seat in one high-back navy velvet chair while I sat across from her. “I miss afternoon tea. I had it when I traveled—many moons ago.” She pointed to the goodies on the tray. “Pink rhubarb shortcakes, cheddar pecan scones, blood orange sticky buns, Earl Grey teacakes, and avocado toast with smoked salmon. Tea?”

I nodded as she poured us both a cup of tea. “Is this tea set a Porter relic?”

Lila shrugged with her good shoulder. “Probably.”

“Are you eating?” I questioned her. “I’m genetically curve-less. Boy-shaped. Brilliant artists sculpt figures like yours … the one you used to have. And … don’t get mad at me, but you made me promise to kick your ass if I noticed you falling victim to anorexia again.”

Lila grabbed a shortcake and shoved half of it in her mouth. “No anorexia,” she mumbled over a mouthful to prove her point.

“Are you going to stick your finger down your throat when I leave?”

“No.” She laughed. “I’ve just been busy and injured. And Graham had me taking a self-defense class. So my curves disappeared. I’ll get them back over the holidays.”

“Well …” I leaned back, sipping my tea and assessing her with my most scrutinizing gaze. “You look good. And it’s not your figure or even that amazing jumpsuit or your new hairstyle. It’s your smile. I haven’t seen the real one for quite a while. It’s nice.”

“I’m meeting with a few people about starting my own engineering firm again. I was going to find someone looking to add a partner, but Graham insisted I be my own boss. Have financial control.”

“You signed a prenup. So technically Graham is funding it and controlling it.”

“True. But he agreed to a contract giving me full control if we’d ever divorce.”

“That’s … surprising.” I plucked a cheddar pecan scone from the tray and took a bite.

Lila twisted her lips. “Yes. Definitely surprising. I’m not sure what to make of his recent change of heart. I didn’t think he’d entertain the idea of me going back to my job until his term ended. And honestly, I anticipated him making some excuse to run again or run for the senate … president. Who knows?”

Me.

Graham made things right with Lila because I told him to do it. I wanted him to do it for her, for them. But the smile on Lila’s face was enough to let me overlook the other details, at least temporarily.

“How are you and Ronin?”

“Good question.” I frowned. “I’m not sure if he’s bipolar or feeling pain from someone else. He hasn’t told me about saving anyone’s life since he saved you. But he’s not right. One day he’s insatiable, and then he goes weeks without touching me beyond a quick goodnight hug and kiss. Then on a whim he brings home a dog without saying anything to me.”

“A dog … yeah. Graham mentioned that.” Lila smirked.

“Yep. We talked about getting one, but I assumed we’d decide together the actual when part. Nope … he just showed up one night with a dog. Basically dropped it in my lap like a third child then escaped to the bedroom because he wasn’t feeling well. He takes Mrs. Humphrey on walks in the morning and when he gets home. He feeds her and occasionally picks up poop. But for the most part, it’s been my job to housebreak her and train her to play with her toys instead of eating Anya’s stuffed animals and Franz’s Legos.”

Lila giggled. “Graham said you named her Mrs. Humphrey. How did that name come about?”

I couldn’t hide my shock that he told her. That made me happy. It meant he found it interesting or funny. It meant he wanted to share it with his wife. “It’s Franz’s teacher’s name. I discouraged it. He had a fit. Ronin said it wasn’t a terrible name. It’s growing on me, but Franz keeps asking to take her to show and tell. I can’t. The kids will laugh at her name, and I’ll look like the disrespectful mom that allowed her kid to name the family dog after his teacher.”