Heat creeps up my neck. I don't blush. I'mnotblushing.
But she doesn't let up. "I've never heard you talk about a client that way."
Okay, maybe I am blushing.
"He's... different..." Christ, I need to change the subject. I'm barely ready to examine how I feel about him, let alone admit it out loud to anyone.
"So, how about those Titans..." I say, shooting Eve a desperate plea in my eyes to change the subject.
Jamie must pick up on my anxiety because he takes the change of subject and runs with it. Frank and Harry thankfully join him, leaving me to pick my cards back up in silence.
A few hours later, Frank and Harry step out of the front door with me close on their heels. Eve rests a hand against my arm, though, stopping me.
I wave 'goodbye' to the men and turn.
"I just want to see you happy, Trey," she says, and my shoulders sag.
"I know that."
"Do you think you could... I dunno. Be open to something with this client?"
I groan and scrub my hand down my face. It's exactly the question I've been asking myself all week.
"Maybe..."
Gareth's hopeful expression flits through my mind again. Gareth, unguarded, vulnerable, trusting, honest... is something I didn't know I wanted so badly.
Eve squeezes my forearm, bringing me back to the present.
She doesn't have to say a word. Everything is in her beautiful eyes. Hope. Fear. Care.
"I'll try," I whisper, giving her the most I can.
She nods, drops a kiss to my cheek, and I walk out to my car.
Chapter eleven
Gareth
Ipull into my ex-wife's driveway. Or, my old driveway? The driveway to my ex-wife's house? In any case, this is the part of this arrangement I hate the most - dropping the kids off at her house. I remind myself it's what was best for everyone. Micah and Lil pour out of the backseat and run to Lindsey, who's standing on the front porch. She greets each of them with a hug, a kiss, and a beautiful smile. God, I was so lucky to be on the receiving end of those smiles, even if it was only for a little bit.
She ushers the kids inside before walking up to me, standing by my car, and giving me a hug. I wrap my arm around her small frame and breathe in her familiar perfume.
"How'd it go?" she asks. She always asks, even though we text constantly. I think she's actually asking how I am.
"It was good. We walked to the park in my neighborhood and had a movie marathon."
Her hand comes to my arm. "And you? How're you doing?"
I shrug. Because how am I? I'm sad, knowing I'm going to spend a week alone in my crappy apartment. My life feels emptywhen they're not with me, even though they FaceTime every night.
"Try again," she prods, teasing.
So, I let it all out. "I'm going to miss them. I always miss them. And I had the most incredible night with that guy I told you about, but I don't know when we'll be able to do it again, and I'm just dreading this week, going through the same day over and over again, waiting for the next time I can see them. But it's fine. I knew this was going to be part of the arrangement when we split, I think it's the reality of that slapping me in the face."
Her sweet face softens, and she wraps her arms around me again.
"Why don't we plan a dinner sometime this week so you don't have to go so long without seeing them. Would that help? Plus, I want to hear all about this guy..." She smiles slyly, and I can't help the smile the memories bring to my face.