Page 62 of Back to Square One

“Look, I’ve been reading.” Rowan took a sip of her fruity water. “The kind you have…there will be good days and bad days, yes?” At Evie’s nod, she went on. “I know you have Claire.” She somehow managed not to make any faces or sounds that portrayed how she really felt about that. “But what’s the harm in having an additional person to help out? Hmm?”

Evie seemed to ponder that and apparently came up with nothing.

They sat quietly for a moment before Rowan ventured on. “So…about Claire.”

Evie’s smile was sad. “I love her. She’s been a wonderful friend.” She looked up to meet Rowan’s gaze. “But nothing more than that.”

“To her endless disappointment, I’m sure.” Rowan wiped a hand through the air, as if to erase her comment. “You know what? Forget I said that. That was mean. I don’t want to be an asshole.” Her voice went softer. “And I can’t blame her for wanting more with you.” She waited for a moment or two, and when she finally spoke, she spoke softly. “So, what does your schedule look like?”

By the time she’d taken their glasses into the kitchen and washed them, gathered herself, and Evie walked her to the door, they had a plan for the next week.

“Okay, so I’ll bring lunch by tomorrow, and then Wednesday, we’ll do dinner and watch a movie. Thursday, your mom’s gonna take you to your appointment and Claire will be here after that. But Friday, I’m taking you out. Yes?”

Evie’s smile was wide, filled with joy, and…was that a sliver of relief Rowan could see in her eyes? “Yes. That sounds perfect.”

“You’re gonna need to let Claire know that I’ll be around,” she warned.

“I think she knows.” Evie’s grin was lopsided and ridiculously cute.

Rowan reached out and pulled Evie into a hug before either of them could prepare. She inhaled deeply, taking in Evie’s scent, soft vanilla and pumpkin and a little musk, and it was so achingly familiar, it brought tears to Rowan’s eyes. When they let go, she glanced down at her feet, hiding the wetness. “See you tomorrow,” she whispered, then turned quickly and headed down the walkway to her car.

Evie stayed in the doorway while Rowan got in her car, started the engine, and pulled away with a wave.

Her head was full.

Her heart was full.

She had the strangest sensation of new beginnings and starting over, and they were mixed in with fear and love and longing and wonder and confusion and so many different emotions, she could hardly keep track. But when she glanced at her reflection in the rearview mirror, there was a smile.

She was already looking forward to tomorrow.

Chapter Thirteen

Evie’s mood was a bit darker by the time Wednesday came around. She let Rowan in with a quiet hello, then went back to the couch and flopped down.

“You okay?” Rowan asked.

“Fine.”

Rowan hung her bag on the hook by the door and then took a seat near Evie. “So, I may have memory loss, but I do remember what that particular tone of ‘fine’ means, and it’s not that you’re fine.” She wanted to reach out and touch Evie but was trying to be careful about anything physical. Just an hour ago, she’d told Stevie her intentions were to be helpful, not to rekindle anything with Evie. She didn’t want to prove herself a liar.

Evie sighed and gazed out the window. “It’s just a bad day.” Her voice was soft and she was clenching and unclenching her right hand. Rowan pointed at it.

“Is your hand bothering you today?”

Evie’s throat moved as she swallowed. “My hand, my leg, my eyes.” She glanced down at her hand, still opening and closing it. “I’ve had grip trouble today. I’ve dropped things three times.” She was clearly annoyed about it.

“Okay. So, it’s a dropsy day.” Rowan pulled out her phone and made a note. When she finished, she set it on the coffee table and waited until Evie met her gaze. “I was going to suggest Chinese for dinner, but it sounds like chopsticks or even a fork might be difficult, so how about we just order a pizza? Easy to hold and get to our mouths.” She mimicked picking up a slice and moving it to her mouth where she took a huge, imaginary bite and then sat there, fake chewing nothing.

Evie’s grin appeared slowly, and it wasn’t a full-on smile, but her expression lightened, and that was all Rowan wanted. “Sounds perfect,” Evie said quietly.

With a nod, Rowan grabbed her phone again to order. Once that was done, she leaned back and asked Evie if she’d called her doctor. “Is this a big flare-up or just the usual?”

Evie sighed. “I think just the usual, but if it gets worse, I’ll call. Sometimes he’ll have me come in for steroids. But if it stays like it is now, it’ll be fine. I just need to rest and stay hydrated.”

At that, Rowan noticed the glass of water on the table was almost empty. She refilled it immediately, then squinted at Evie. “Are you in jeans?”

Evie nodded. “I was trying to be a person today.”