Page 138 of Power Move

“She was at the office,” Daphne said. “She didn’t lie. Her ex was just going to meet her quick. She was here on business and wanted to hand the ashes over since Eva can’t very well go to London. Lord knows she’d try with all this technology bullshit?—"

London. I couldn’t listen past that word.Certainly, she wasn’t serious about getting on a plane, right?No. I knew better. Still, the fact that she’d lied about where she was going and who shewas meeting upset me.Why had she lied? What more was she hiding?

“Davey, calm down, okay? You’re driving her off. This isn’t about a lie. No doubt she didn’t want to bother you.”

“Bother me?” I gasped. “Shelied.”

“Davey, she loves you. This isn’t about holding a candle for Mona. I promise you?—”

But I’d already lost my mind. Phone in my hand, I was about to play warrior—like it or not. I wasn’t about to lose the best thing I ever had. Evawouldtalk to me. Wewouldresolve this. It wasn’t about Mona. That was a symptom, not the problem.

Eva

I spotted Mona across the room of a cafe near work. Palms sweaty, I gave a nervous wave. She responded, a grand smile on her face. Inside, I hurt. I loved Carter and hadn’t been given a final goodbye. I wasn’t there for last kisses and ear scratches. Full of emotions and terrified about pushing two humans from my body, I’d had no quiet space to grieve. It was all baby clothes and how next Christmas would be all about the boys. If I told him, he’d either be a dark cloud or tell me to let it go because it was Christmas, after all. I wanted to get the ashes, grieve alone for thirty minutes in my office, and go back to him in a better mood.

Mona gave a quick hug. “You look so cute.”

“I’m miserable and look ridiculous.”

“No, you don’t. You’re so close. I’m happy for you.”

“I cannot stay long,” I apologized. “It’s been a wild day. I wish this was under better circumstances.”

“She had a good last day, Eva,” Mona said. “I promise you it was peaceful, and I did right by her.”

“I know you did,” I said.

Mona passed a small box of ashes across the table. “Your half. Do what you want with them. I know how much she meant to you.”

I teared.I’m not going to cry here, damn it!

“Thanks.”

“How are you? How is David?”

“He’s fine,” I answered.

“And how areyou?” She repeated.

“I’m…” I glanced at my phone. It was Davey.

“Oh, he’s calling you,” Mona said. “It could be important.”

“He’s upset with me,” I said. “I didn’t tell him about any of this. I sort of lost it, and… he’s angry.”

“Take it. Apologize.”

I took the call against my better judgement, feeling bad for how things ended.

“Davey, hi,” I said.

“Are you with Mona right now? And don’t lie again. Daphne told me!”

My heart sank.

“I… I met her to get Carter’s ashes.”

“Why the fuck would you hide that from me? Why would you lie, Eva?”