Page 19

EVE

The shrill ring of the landline jolted me awake.

For a moment, I just lay there, my heart racing as the sound pierced the fog of sleep. I had no idea what time it was, but it felt far too early for this kind of noise. The phone stopped ringing just as I scrambled out of bed, my limbs were heavy and uncoordinated.

Three seconds later, it started up again.

Stumbling into the kitchen, I barely made it to the receiver in time. The sunlight streaming through the windows was far too bright, forcing me to squint as I rubbed the last remnants of sleep from my eyes.

“Hello?” My voice came out croaky and rough, even after I cleared my throat.

“Good morning!” Darcy’s familiar voice rang out on the other end, bright but tinged with worry. “I called you an hour ago, but you didn’t answer. I was about to load the kids in the car and come check on you. How are you feeling?”

How was I feeling? Like I’d slept for a thousand years but hadn’t rested for a single minute of it. My body ached in ways I couldn’t explain, and the dull weight of the previous day clung to me like a second skin.

“I’m alright, Darcy. Just catching up on some sleep, that’s all.”

“You left in such a rush yesterday. Lila wouldn’t stop talking about how weird you were acting, and—look, I’m sorry if this comes across a certain way, but you have been a little… off lately. I’m worried about you, Eve.”

Guilt threaded through my ribs. I wanted to snap at her, to tell her to back off, to mind her own business, and deflect from these horrible feelings.

But she didn’t know what was going on in my life because I’d kept her in the dark.

I’d been spiraling long before the rug was pulled from beneath my feet.

I’d built those walls, and now I was standing alone behind them as they crumbled.

“Really, Darcy, I’m feeling much better,” I said, forcing my voice to sound reassuring. “I promise.”

The silence that followed told me it hadn’t worked.

“Well,” she said finally, “why don’t I bring the kids over anyway? We can keep you company for a while. I’ll make lunch, and we can have a picnic on the living room floor. We’ll pretend we’re camping!”

“Oh, Darcy, I don’t know…” I trailed off, my grip tightening on the receiver. Darcy meant well, and part of me desperately wanted to let her come over. To let her fuss over me and fill the room with her kids’ laughter. To let myself feel… normal, even if just for a few hours.

But I couldn’t.

“It’s not a good time,” I blurted, my brain scrambling for an excuse. “I, um—I actually have plans?” Why the hell did that sound like a question?

“Plans?” Darcy’s voice perked up immediately. “What kind of plans?”

“Uh…” Crap. What was I doing? I just needed her off the phone and as far from this swirling disaster of a life as possible. “Orion is coming over actually, so I should probably get ready…”

I winced the moment the word left my lips, smacking the receiver lightly against my forehead. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Darcy gasped, her excitement practically vibrating through the line. “Oh my God, Eve! Is this like a date? I just knew it!”

I groaned, trying to drown out her rapid-fire questions. “It’s not a big deal,” I mumbled, already regretting my decision to lie. I fiddled with the cord, wrapping it tightly around my finger until it turned white.

“Not a big deal?” Darcy squealed, and I had to pull the phone away from my ear. “You don’t go on dates, Eve. This is huge! Tell me everything, what’s he got planned for you? I bet it’s something super romantic, he just seems like the type.”

“It’s not—” I started, but she steamrolled right over me.

Darcy’s squealing reached an octave I didn’t think was humanly possible, and I couldn’t help but smile, despite myself.

The phone beeped suddenly, cutting through her excitement. I glanced at the receiver, my stomach twisting.

“I’ve got another call,” I said quickly. “I’ll call you later, okay?”

“Eve! You can’t just drop a bomb like that and hang up! I need details!” Darcy protested.

“I promise, I’ll call you later,” I said, my tone firmer this time. Before she could argue, I switched over to the other line.

“Hello?” I asked, my voice still edged with confusion.

“Hello, darling,” Orion’s voice purred through the line, rich and smooth like liquid honey. His voice sent a jolt through me, low and warm and entirely unfair for this early in the morning.

“Orion?” I said, my cheeks heating. Did this man have a sixth sense for when I was feeling rattled?

His timing was impeccable. “How did you even get this number? Wait, never mind, I don’t want to know,” I shook my head, more flustered than I wanted to admit.

“Is everything okay? I thought you were coming over?”

To my surprise, the words came out laced with concern, and I cringed internally.

“Everything’s fine, Eve,” Orion reassured me, his voice easy but sincere. “Just a slight hiccup in today’s plans. I’ve got to head out of town for a bit.”

“Oh,” I said, trying—and failing—to mask the pang of disappointment that shot through me. “I get it. You don’t have to explain—”

“Alright, stop,” Orion said firmly. His voice was still light, but there was an unmistakable edge to it. “I just need to check out a lead. I’ll be back before dark—hopefully. Xander’s coming to pick you up in an hour and keep you company.”

“Did he lose the rock-paper-scissors match?” I scoffed. “I don’t need a babysitter, Orion, I’ll be perfectly fine on my own.”

Orion’s laugh was like the ripple of dawn breaking through clouds. It was effortless, unrestrained, and so natural that it made me a little jealous.

“Says the girl who attracts danger like a magnet. But, be sure to keep that tongue sharp, cupcake. Xander’s going to love it.”

I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips.

“But seriously, Eve,” he added, his tone softening just enough to feel like a promise, “I meant what I said last night. I’m not going anywhere. I already have apology plans in the works, so you’re stuck with me for now.”

A mix of excitement and apprehension bubbled up inside me. The idea of being “stuck” with Orion didn’t sound so bad.

“I’ll explain everything when I get home, okay?”

“Okay,” I murmured. Despite everything, I felt a little lighter.

“Good girl. I’ll see you soon, Eve.”

I flushed as I quickly hung up, grateful he couldn’t see how much of a mess I was becoming because of him.