Page 12 of Save Me (The Midnight Cove #2)
AMY
" Y ou're sure you don't wanna come with us?" I ask Eve, glancing at her as I put my hair up. "I'm sure Gunner wouldn't mind."
"I'm not third-wheeling on your date. I still have some self-respect left."
"This has nothing to do with self-respect," I laugh, trying to keep the smile from my face.
"It has everything to do with it. I'm a grown woman who should be able to get her own dates and not take handouts from her widowed sister and niece. I mean goddamn, how sad does my life have to be?" She runs a hand through her hair.
"Would you stop? You're not sad. You're in between men. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Why are you taking this so hard?"
She doesn't say anything, but she pours herself a glass of wine and looks out at the backyard before she turns to me, glass in hand.
"Back when you first came to live with me, it was like I was the center of your universe, and it was nice.
When you moved, and got married, we had very separate lives.
It was hard, but I was okay with it." She shrugs.
"Then you and Rosa came back and it felt like I had a bit more purpose again.
It felt like you and I were closer. I don't want to lose that with you. "
There's a part of me that knows exactly what she's talking about.
It's scary putting myself out there again because I don't want to lose the little family I've built in this house either.
"You're not going to lose it with me, Eve.
You were one of the only people that were there for me after Nathan died," I remind her.
"Rosa and I wouldn't have made it without you. Those were dark days."
"They were, which is why I'm pissed at myself for even having those thoughts. You deserve happiness."
"So do you," I insist. "Maybe we can find you a hottie firefighter too, once I figure out what the hell is going on between Gunner and me.
What I do know is that I want you to be a part of mine and Rosa's life.
Me being or not being with Gunner isn't going to change that.
I know who held me up when I was at the lowest point of my life, Eve. That was you."
Her bottom lip quivers as her eyes meet mine. "You would've helped me too."
"I would've," I confirm, nodding my head. "There's nothing that could've kept me away, but the fact is, you stepped up when so many others didn't. You'll never know what a difference you've made in mine and Rosa's lives. So what I'm saying is, if you want to come with us, please come with us."
She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth. "I do want to come, but I don't want to be in the way. So I'll drive myself, and then when Rosa's tired, I'll bring her home so you and Gunner can enjoy some time alone. How's that?"
It doesn't seem fair to her, but I'm beginning to understand this is just who my sister is. It's who she's grown into being. "Sounds amazing. Thank you. Now what should I wear to this shindig?"