Page 29 of Defensive Indifference

“Okay, Mom. Call me if you need anything.”

“Of course, love. Talk soon!”

The phone call ends, leaving Katie and me staring at a black screen.

“We’re doing just great, thanks for asking, Mom.” Katie huffs and sits back on the sofa, arms crossed.

“If it helps, I know how you feel. My brothers are all the real family I’ve got.” Eleanor’s veneer cracks further, letting us in on a bit more Dawson family drama. “The only thing I can recommend at this point is to lay low, try to stay away from the cameras, and don’t speak about the case to anyone.”

“And…” Spencer winces when the next words fall from his lips. “Maybe try to not involve other people in the drama right now.”

Evalina. And her son.

He means I should stay away from them, not get too involved, which is reasonable, considering everything in my life could blow up at any moment. It’s more than reasonable. I absolutely should put as much distance between Evalina and me as humanly possible, especially since my family drama has already caused her so much grief.

The only problem with following through on what I know is best is that I can’t bring myself to think about what life would look like without her in it. It doesn’t make sense, shouldn’t be the case, but in a short time the woman has managed to chisel out a place in my life, a seat at the table in my mind that cannot be filled by anyone else. Her sassy comebacks, the gentle way she supports her son, and the vulnerable moments she tries to hide all fit in a place in my heart that I didn’t think anyone could find.

How could I say goodbye to someone like Evalina Renn?

Chapter Fifteen

Evalina

It’s been a handful of days since I’ve seen Koa, but his family is all over the news again. I have a feeling his disappearance is on purpose. While I’m grateful he has seemingly decided not to grace my bakery during this time given what happened the last time, I can’t help missing his troublemaking grin. Staring out the window at the slow-moving traffic, daydreaming about all the reasons Koa may or may not be avoiding Sparkly’s, doesn’t help me accomplish the day’s tasks.

Annie hears my groan from the kitchen and heads to the front with a few trays of a new donut flavor. I can’t say why I bother coming up with new ones anymore. We’re down to just over two weeks before I have to vacate, and nowhere to go.

“What are you complaining about?”

I scrunch my nose and wave her off. “Nothing.”

Annie bites back a hearty laugh and arranges the new donuts in the case. It’s just past the morning rush, including a hurried hello from Nick, but each day that passes sees fewer and fewer people cramming in for lunch. I’m not sure it’s even worth prepping sandwiches anymore. I’m just about to tell her not to worry about it and to strike them off the menu, when she spins on her heel and grasps my shoulders.

“Just call him. We both know you want to. I’m sure—”

“Nick?”

Her scowl says everything she won’t say aloud. She’d been none too happy to discover that Nick asked me out, and less so that she had to overhear his confirmation than hear it directly from me. It doesn’t matter if she thinks it’s a bad idea, I have to move on. I have to get any thoughts of Koa Keaton out of my head, not even one sliver of entertaining the wild idea that he might want to stay in our lives.

“No, not Nick.” She rolls her eyes and drops her hands from my shoulders. “Koa. He probably needs a friend right now.”

I grab a rag and start wiping down the counters. “He has friends.”

“I’m aware, but when he got the good news about getting his things returned, he came here first, not to see his other friends. I think he—”

Sparkly’s main phone rings, and I snatch it up to end this very leading conversation. “Thank you for calling Sparkly’s. This is Evalina, how can I help you?”

“Ms. Renn, this is Mrs. Shannon Carpenter, the school counselor. Unfortunately, Dustin got into a pretty heated fistfight with a fellow student today. He’s under suspension for three days, but I’d like for you to come in so we can discuss the details.”

“He…what?”

Mrs. Carpenter hesitated, then said, “I was shocked as well. Dustin is a star student, but, well, it was quite personal. I’d prefer to discuss it in person.”

I glance around the lobby—not a soul to be found—and agree. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

“Thank you, Ms. Renn.”

Once I hang up and yank my apron from my waist, I give my attention back to Annie. “Dustin got into a fight at school. She didn’t say why, but I have to go.”