She agreed with no hesitation.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Bri

My soles hit concrete, my arms pumping. Anything I could do for my thoughts not to wander. The end of this terrible week saw me with another hard run, one I wrapped up the moment I turned the street corner on my block.

I slowed to a casual pace but tugged my earbud out at the sight of a familiar face.

Evie sat on the stoop leading up to my condo, her neck angled as if looking for something or someone.

She found me.

My arms fell to my side, my stride halted completely. She stood in my presence, still in her suit from her time at the office. I won

dered if she’d come right from campus to here.

She pressed hands down her cream colored pants, adjusting her purse on her shoulder. “Could we talk?” She shook her head. “Just for a minute. I won’t take a lot of your time. I waited when you didn’t answer and one of your neighbors said you’d be back soon, that you just went for a run.”

I tried to gauge her temperament with a racing heart. She didn’t appear angry, but…

I brushed a restless hair out of my face. “Of course.”

I was just happy she’d come, to see me. Of course, she could be delivering awful news. That I may be fired and couldn’t return next year. Though, since Ramses and I hadn’t done anything unethical in the technical sense, I wasn’t quite sure that was legal.

But the Mallick family were very powerful people, and if she fought me for a place in this town, my job, I wouldn’t fight her back. I’d betrayed her trust, lying to her, and that warranted both me leaving her school as well as her city. I’d leave if she wanted me to.

I cared about her.

Nodding, I had her follow me inside, into the elevator then into my condominium. I was completely aware of the awkwardness of this situation, and to keep myself busy, I immediately invited her into my kitchen.

“Can I make you something?” I questioned, placing my keys and earbuds on the kitchen island. I reached for the tea kettle. “Tea or I could even make coffee.”

“Really, I won’t take a lot of your time.” Her hand raised in my direction, and she invited me for a seat in my own kitchen next to her.

I took it, swallowing hard. I placed my hand on the granite. “Evie, I’m so sorry.”

“For what?”

My lashes fanned, my eyes twitched wide. I felt like I was being Punk’d for a second. I gazed around. “What?”

“Why are you apologizing?” Unbuttoning her jacket, she laced her hands on the island. “Because if it’s for loving my son, changing him in more ways than I’ve ever seen…”

My mouth parted.

Hers lifted into a smile. “Why are you apologizing to me, Brielle?”

My throat thickened with heat, belly all coiled up, anxious. I chewed my lip. “I suppose for lying to you about it.” I nodded. “For not being brave enough to tell you. You’ve done so much for me. I guess I didn’t want to lose you. Your friendship.”

It had meant so much, made me strong, brave. I’d taken the steps to start over here because of her, able to love again because of her. I’d done that because she’d brought me into her life and given me the means in which to take those chances. To come here and eventually, meet her son.

Who I was desperately in love with.

I planned to fight for Ramses, for us, but I also planned to give Evelyn time. I couldn’t stay away from the man I loved and wouldn’t. I did love Ramses, but I also loved her, too. I respected her enough to keep my distance, but it wouldn’t have been forever.

She just happened to come to me first.

Taking my hands, Evie placed hers on top. “Over the years, I don’t pride myself on how great of a mother I’ve been.” Her smile fell sad. “My ex-husband, Ibrahim, was very abusive to Ramses. Not physically, but mentally. He was quite hard on him, held him to these impossible standards.”

Tags: Eden O'Neill Court University Romance
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