Biting the bullet, Evangeline hit the answer button. Before she could get a word out, the caller's voice filled her ear."Evangeline, what's taking you so long? You're really dragging your feet picking up."Walter had been waiting forever and was losing his cool, especially after watching her stare blankly at her phone without making a move. He was so frustrated that he felt like running over and answering the phone for her!"I'm at work. What's up?"Evangeline was not one for lies. Her act was just a facade to hide the hollowness inside.If Walter found out she was out having lunch with Hank, it could unleash a whole mess she was not ready to deal with. She could not handle the drama of just one lunch date.All she wanted was to quietly and safely ride out the rest of the cooling-off period before her divorce from Walter, and then smoothly get her hands on that divorce certificate—the ticket to her freedom."At work?" Walter's voice rose in pitch as he stood up and quickly made
"You might think you're just keeping your promise to take me out to eat, but it's not that simple for me."Your uncles picked this place for dinner on purpose. They wanted to set us up on a blind date."Each word Hank spoke hit Evangeline like a bolt of lightning, leaving her mind a total blank.As she tried to wrap her head around his revelation, her mouth opened and closed, speechless.Hank had already shifted his focus to Walter."Walter," he said. "What gives you the right to sit here and act out some drama about catching a cheater? Evie is her own person. It doesn't matter to you if we're just having dinner or if we're more than that. Her uncles are cool with us, so why should you have a say?"Hank delivered his speech coolly, leaving Evangeline with one thought: This guy was a master at dropping bombshells!Stunned, Evangeline could not help but feel a twinge of glee at Walter's contorted, bitter expression. It was like he had swallowed a lemon.She could not help but lau
Walter did not miss a beat, shooting Evangeline a look that was loaded with meaning.That look was so charged that it sent her mind racing back to the wild night they had just spent together.If she did not care about Walter, why did she comply so easily when he mentioned his injury? Why did she let him have his way?Denying something did not make it any less true. She could fool anyone, but she could not fool her own heart.How could she just watch as Hank, who was defending her honor, got pushed around?Walter, as if reading her thoughts, effortlessly drew her into his side. "Isn't that right, Evie?"His voice was soft and coaxing, and the way he said 'Evie' seemed to drip with genuine emotion. Evangeline could hear the underlying sarcasm, though. After all, Walter's desire to win was just a man's pride showing off in front of Hank. What real feelings could he have for her?Evangeline and Walter were locked in a silent battle, and Hank was clueless about the tension. To anyone
The sting of unrequited love was harsh, and Walter, flesh and blood like anyone else, could not stand the sight of Evangeline's scowl any longer."So should I chase away any guy who gets close to you?"His face hardened, eyes blazing with fury."Evangeline, you're out there meeting other guys while we're still married, and I'm just having dinner with clients. Then I find out I'm the laughingstock with a giant 'cheated' sign over my head. Is it so wrong for me to come and ask what's going on?"Evangeline's anger deflated like a popped balloon.He had a point, but why did she feel so unfairly treated?All Yale did was give her a heads-up that Hank was doing well at the company, contributing a lot, and that she should keep in touch to keep morale high. That was just work stuff, right? What did it have to do with Walter?Who would have guessed that everyone, Yale and Hank included, knew that today's lunch was a setup for a date? Everyone but her, the supposed star of the show, compl
Roslyn latched onto Evangeline's arm and cheekily snuggled up to it."Out with it, what's got you all changed up? Did that jerk Walter stir up some drama again?"Roslyn figured if Evangeline hit the bar and skipped the booze, it had to be something monumental, something beyond her wildest guesses."Does having a kid count?"If getting knocked up was the kind of drama in question, then yes, Walter had definitely stirred up something."What did you just say?" Roslyn shot up like she had been zapped, her eyes as wide as saucers, fixed on Evangeline's still-not-showing belly."Aren't you and Walter headed for divorce? And now there's a baby on the way?"Could they actually be patching things up?Yikes. She had just called Walter a total jerk. She hoped Evangeline was not too mad."You know, my grandfather has been really sick..." Evangeline's voice was tinged with resignation.Cole's health was on the rocks, and no one knew how much time he had left. As his only granddaughter, sh
Walter was not the type to back down without a fight.Evangeline's game plan was simple: She would keep the knowledge of her baby from Walter, and then vanish from his life post-divorce.The baby was hers and hers alone. No matter what, Walter was not getting his hands on her child.Evangeline was lost in thought, her mind a whirlwind of half-formed plans she could not pin down. When Roslyn shared her worries, Evangeline was at a loss for words."Don't sweat it, I've got a plan," Evangeline reassured her. "Hey, I sent you an invite to my birthday party. Why'd you bail on me?"The thought stung. Her birthday had come and gone without a peep from Roslyn, her ride-or-die best friend. It had been a real letdown.Roslyn's face crumpled with regret. "Ugh, my agent's the worst. She's pushing me into the TV scene and signed me up for this drama without asking. I was so ticked off that I almost fired her. But the studio was breathing down my neck, so I had to play along. They even took my
Roslyn's eyes gleamed as Evangeline announced, "I've got the perfect place. Let's hit the road." They had never been there, so Evangeline and Roslyn packed some tasty treats and set off for their new hideaway.It turned out that the Emerald of the Highlands really lived up to its name.Nestled by the sea, the Eastgate District was a slice of heaven, with postcard-perfect views and year-round spring vibes. Even in the fall, the place was lush with greenery, like something out of a fairy tale.Evangeline, with a little help from the security guard, pulled her car into the driveway and took a good look at the villa Yale had gifted her.The place was sleek and modern, with each brick screaming luxury. Even the simple swing in the yard was crafted from the finest wood.Stepping inside, the villa's interior was just as stunning. Every room was decked out with all the bells and whistles, spacious and bright, with lavish decor and furniture that was both plush and classy. Every detail was
Evangeline figured if she got the details, she might be able to help Roslyn figure something out.'My own love life had crashed and burned, but if I could play matchmaker for my best friend and see her happily hitched, it'd be a silver lining.'"Let's face it, the chances of me and him working out are pretty much nonexistent. Like he said, we're from two different worlds. How could we ever mesh? Oh, and I totally spaced on telling you, but he's like... eleven years older than me."As Roslyn spilled her heart out, Evangeline was baffled at what kind of guy would be blind to the awesomeness of her bestie.When she heard about the eleven-year age gap, it clicked."You know how they say three years is enough for a generation gap? You guys are eleven years apart; you're practically from different planets. With that huge of an age difference, can you really stick it out? I mean, when you were toddling around in diapers, he was already a whiz at algebra!"She could not help but admire R