#Chapter 31 Evelyn"I think we should hire someone else to be our designer. I have a few people in mind. You can look at the resumes and let me know." Beth eagerly places a Manila folder on my desk."There won't be any need for that. Jessica is more than capable and I like her designs." "Jessica is a teenager. You need a skilled and experienced person for the job if you want to excel in the near future." She addresses me with a curt tone. "The clients have been happy with her work and a few have also praised her. So it doesn't matter that she's young and lacks experience. Her skills are outstanding."Her lips thin at my reply and she eyes me with a certain dislike. I don't know what I've done for her to grow such feelings for me. Perhaps it's because Warren moved her from his prestigious company to mine and the new environment is different. Often Yasmine and Ivan play music in the office while we all work. There have been instances when we've danced as a gro

#Chapter 33 EvelynSince Justin and Tinsely have arrived, I've been seeing Declan out of his room more often. I don't know whether it's Tinsely's charm or Justin's jokes but he seems to be in a good mood these days. And I love seeing him coming out of his room and spending time with people who manage to make him smile and talk more.Carrying the tins to the room in the back, I make a U-turn to get the brushes and rollers, but Warren meets me midway and puts everything on the floor."I'm not leaving.""Excuse me?" A wet strand of his delicious brown hair falls over his forehead and my fingers clench as I fight the urge to not push it back."I'm staying here and helping you." My fingers curl into fists."I don't need your help. I have people who'll help me." No one agreed to this except Yasmine. Ivan, Justin, Declan, and Tinsely had declined politely, and I don't mind. Painting a room is a strenuous task."I'm staying." Turning on his heels he leaves me

#Chapter 35 EvelynBlasting music through the speaker we get to work. For the next thirty minutes, I hear Yasmine and Connor laughing and talking like friends. The initial awkwardness between strangers cannot be found between the two of them. They're growing immune to each other and I sneak multiple glances at them. Yasmine has gone on several dates and every time she's met some new version of a shitty man. As her friend, I've seen her begin to lose hope and stick to her work because what else can you do? It's hard to find a decent guy in Seattle, who isn't egotistical or talks nonstop about his clock collection—Yasmine had immense strength to endure that chat. Dating is hard nowadays. So many people are wearing so many different cloaks that sometimes it's hard to find the real person hiding inside. Dating requires vulnerability and being genuine, two things that are lacking in the world now. That's part of the reason I haven't given a chance to any guy. Being open and t

#Chapter 37 EvelynPepperoni isn't my cup of tea—well more like slice of pizza—I liked it with extra cheese black olives and green pepper. An odd combination that sets my stomach on fire afterward, but I love it. "I never forgot Evelyn." My heart squeezes into the size of a ping-pong ball. I don't know whether that happens because of pain or the sheer joy that he hasn't been able to forget me. "You should have. It isn't like you and I would have a chance." I bitterly tell him. Even though a part of me hates me for those words."The possibility of you is better than no reality of you." My heart skips a beat."When did the others leave?" I divert the topic, not wanting to talk about things that'll rip out the old me."Around ten. Your guy friend wanted to stay back and drive you home, but he had an emergency and had to rush." I wonder what emergency made Ivan leave. "So you volunteered to stay," I sort of tease him. "I wanted to stay," Warren speaks so slowly

#Chapter 39 WarrenIn the next two minutes, I summarize Evelyn and me in a paragraph, omitting the details but keeping the essence so he understands why I can't travel for long. I watch with interest to see if Rowan is amused at my misery But he isn't. If anything his face radiates empathy and I wonder if he has a woman in his life too. After all, he's twenty-nine and has wealth and power sufficient to land in Forbes magazine. "I've always wondered what laid under the glacier armor you wear. And now I realize there is a heart." Rowan gracefully takes a bite of the steak and then points his fork toward me. "You know money is nothing when you don't have someone to spend it on or with. Take it from someone like me. I have a billion sitting in my bank account but that's all it does. It just sits there. Alone." Rowan takes another bite while I can't even seem to touch my steak. "You're like me," I smirk behind my wine glass. "I am. But there are reasons why I am the way I