Page 90 of The Love Hoax

Brad seems to fade into the sofa’s fabric. “For the record, I was not on board with this.”

My focus is solely on Steph. “Why would you do that? What was the point? Were you planning to have me arrested?”

At this, both Steph and Brad laugh, stopping abruptly with my angry mien. “If only that were an option,” she says.

I get to my feet. It is time for them to leave. What I did was stupid but not malicious, like Steph’s investigation was. “Adam and I blew it big time but what you did?—”

Steph holds up a hand. “I checked your background so I would feel better.”

My hands are firmly on my hips. “About what?”

“Telling you to go back to Yosemite, make up with Adam.”

Of all the things I could have imagined Steph to say, that one wasn’t on the list.

“Come again?”

“Adam and I have a strange bond. We fight like cats and dogs and are competitive with one another but at the end of the day, we love each other very much. He always wants me to be happy and I want the same for him.”

I swallow hard. “What exactly are you saying?”

“I—” she takes hold of Brad’s hand. “We, think you and Adam are perfect together. Even if you are partners in crime. And despite my brother’s poor decisions, teaming up with you wasn’t one of them.”

I feel my eyes water.

Brad says, “From what I understand, if it weren’t for your calming influence, Steph and I might not be here right now.”

I chuckle softly. “It was nothing.”

Brad says, “It was everything.”

Steph nods.

I feel a wave of emotion. “I really appreciate you coming here and clearing the air but it’s no use. Adam and I are too different. For one, I’m older.” I frown. “By far.”

“I know,” Steph says.

Of course she does.

“Why should that matter?” Steph asks.

“We’re at different points in our lives. I’ve already had my children. He may want some of his own.”

Brad says, “Maybe that’s something you should discuss with him directly.”

I shake my head. “My life is here with my boys. Adam would never want to move to New York.” He probably wouldn’t even want to visit.

Steph looks away. It is clear I hit on something insurmountable. “Listen, I won’t pretend that Adam would ever want to live in a big city far from all the nature he loves. But you two need to talk. No matter what the outcome.”

I choose to leave out how hurt I was that Adam didn’t come to my aid at the wedding. There’s no point.

Steph must have sensed the end of the line. To Brad she says, “We tried.”

Brad offers a thin smile. “Good luck, Evie.”

To my surprise, Steph puts an arm around me and gives me a hug. I pat her back. “Be happy, you two.”

We say a final goodbye for what seems like the last time ever.