Page 66 of Jain

“I know it’s inappropriate, Jain. But I’m still in love with you.”

Her eyes filled with tears when the taxi came to a stop, and she looked up at me sadly.

“Come in,” I pleaded, my finger trailing down her neck as she shivered beneath my touch.

“Ican’t, Evan. Please, just go.”

I swore under my breath before I opened the car door.

“What’s wrong with you, Jain? Why aren’t you listening to your body or your heart?”

She didn’t answer, as her phone rang from inside of her bag. I nodded with understanding, reaching forward to hand the taxi driver a wad of cash.

“Take her home, please. Goodnight, Jain.”

Jain

Watching Evan walk back into his house made my heart shatter into a thousand pieces.

This was horrific.

I couldn’t trust myself in his company any longer, and it was tearing me apart. I sobbed like a baby in the taxi, and when Julian spoke to me on the phone, he thought I must be so ill he needed to call me an ambulance.

Hardly. Unless they treat a broken heart.

Julian eventually came home drunk, babbling on about Vada screaming the restaurant down when she found out Evan had gone. He said he didn’t see the problem until she said that he’d broken up with her.

I’d cut off, eventually falling into a restless sleep. The following day was my dress fitting, and as much as I knew it wasn’t right for me to feel the way I did, I knew I had to go anyway.

When I arrived at the bridal salon, I was astounded to see my mother, Sarah, Kate, and her adorable little girl Anya. I immediately burst into tears as we all fell into acrazy group hug. My mum beamed at me with tears in her eyes when I thanked her for getting my girls together.

“Can I be your bridesmaid?” Anya demanded, her pale grey eyes widening as she gazed at me. I hadn’t seen her in so long. I almost fell over with how beautiful she was.

“You absolutely can, wow.” I glanced up at Kate, who was grinning widely. “You look just like your mama, you beautiful girl.”

“Daddy said it’s because she’s beautiful,” Anya whispered in my ear, making my heart swell.

“Daddy thinks Mummy is beautiful?” I gasped, and she nodded at me.

“He tells her every time he sees her, and she tells him to be quiet.” Anya giggled, and I looked up to see Kate roll her eyes.

After battling with Andrew, her ex, Kate proved he was Anya’s father. Yet, he wanted nothing to do with her.

What was surprising was the bond between Harley and Kate, who had stepped in and brought Anya up as his own.

“She’s so cute,” I gushed, and Kate nodded proudly.

“She sure is. She is also convinced you’re going to buy her a dress today.” She chuckled, and I held my hands to my mouth in mock shock.

“Well, I’m not sure they will have a dress fit for a princess here...”

Sarah picked Anya up, and I felt a pang of jealousy at how close they were. I had been out of the picture for so long I hadn’t been around to see Anya grow up. But hopefully, that would change now that I was moving home.

“You’ve lost weight.” Sarah sighed as she pulled my skin between her fingers, her choppy red hair gleaming asshe shook her head in disappointment. “I preferred you rounder.”

“Thanks. I think...”

The seamstress Annette walked out of the back office breezily, holding her hands out for me to join her in the changing room. I followed her in, stripping off my clothes as she groaned.