Chapter 30
Timothy’s jaw tightened, his disappointment evident. “I understand. I just… I care about you, and
seeing you in so much stress, it’s hard not to want to help. But I’ll back off.”
As I looked into his eyes, I saw a warmth and affection that made my heart ache. “I’m sorry,
Timothy,” I said, my voice trembling with sincerity. “I should have been more open about that with
you. I appreciate your care, though. Really.”
Timothy’s shoulders rxed, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “It’s no problem at
all.”
The tension slowly began to ebb away, and we found ourselves sharing a genuine, if somewhat
bittersweet, moment. But I knew that it was time to go. The encounter had left me emotionally
drained, and I needed some space to gather my thoughts.
“I should head home,” I finally said, rising from my seat. “It’s been a long day.”
Timothy nodded, his eyes filled with understanding. “Of course, Evie. But at least let me walk you
home. It’s gettingte, and I want to make sure you get there safely.”
I hesitated for a moment, torn between my desire for some time alone and my awareness of the
concern in Timothy’s eyes. In the end, I agreed, not wanting to hurt him any further.
“All right,” I said, “but you don’t have to. I can manage on my own.”
He rose from his seat and picked up the basket of supplies, his gaze never leaving mine. “I know
you can, but I want to. It’s the least I can do after all this.”
My head was spinning by the time I got home. I spent most of the walk with. Timothy trying to
imagine all the different scenarios that could havee out of it had I said “yes“. My body was still
hot from his touch.
By the time I reached my apartment entryway, it didn’t take long for me to spot. the reporters at my
doorstep. They were still camped out, tents and all. I took a deep breath, recalling all the cameras
and microphones that had been shoved in my face on the way out
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My phone chimed and buzzed in my pocket. The screen lit up as I pulled it out and I squinted at the
bright screen.
I can see you, Coco. There’s no hiding now, it read.
“Bruce?!?” I nearly dropped the phone in my haste to look around. There was nothing but small
trees and tall buildings surrounding me. I shifted my focus to the paparazzi, wondering for a
moment if maybe he was among them.
None of them looked familiar. However, they had certainly noticed me standing there.
“Evie!” The man with the camera was rushing over, waving his notebook. “Where were you? Were
you just with Timothy?”
“Leave me alone!” I shielded my head from them as I ducked through the crowd, not caring who I
bumped into. I stepped on a few toes and elbowed a few identally, but I eventually made it to the
front door. N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.
“Don’t be coy, Evie!” Another blinding sh. More scribbling. “Have you two made up? Did you
forgive him?”
I finally found my keys and shoved them into the lock. There were hands patting my back, begging
for attention, but I shimmied away. Before they could pester me some more, I mmed the door in
their faces.
“Evie!” I heard another voice behind me, and I turned wearily to see who it was.
Over on the couch, Aria and Lucas were seatedfortably with aputer between them. The
sight of them made my worries slip away, almost miraculously. I rushed over and wrapped Lucas in
a warm armed hug.
“I didn’t think I’d see you so soon!” I said, smiling.
Lucas hugged me back. “Good to see you again, Evie! I see you’ve already gotten your fame and
fortune since west met.”
I rolled my eyes. “That would be the paparazzi wing for any news on Timothy and me,” I told
them. Aria patted the space between them for me to sit and I obliged. She removed theptop and
ced it on herp.
“All press is good press, my dear,” said Aria, and she gave my shoulder a squeeze.
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Lucas reached over to the coffee table and picked up his cup of what looked like some of the
lemonade from the fridge. The smile on his face told me that he certainly believed that.
“I would say otherwise,” I said drearily. “Bad press will surely tarnish my reputation. It’s not like I’m
some pop star that can get a few deals in with the extra drama. I’m supposed to be a professional,
no–nonsensewyer.”
Lucas sipped from his cup, then ced it back on the table. When he saw me hunch over, he
scooted closer and started smoothing the hair away from my eyes. “Fair enough. How is Timothy
handling it?”
“There’s not much he can really do,” I said. “This type of press could hurt his reputation in the long
run if we don’t act quickly. If only I wasn’t distracted withpeting with my own colleague.”
They went quiet, and I could see the gears grinding in their minds. Eventually, Aria turned her
laptop around and ced it on myp. There was arge, L–shaped sofa on the screen that came
in a pea green color.
“What’s this for?” I asked, scrolling down to see the other options.
“Oh, you know…” Lucas flicked his wrist. “We figured it wouldn’t hurt to look around.”
“Why?” I shot Aria a look and she simply shrugged.
It wasn’t like we needed a new couch. Any bigger and we’d barely have room to walk around the
living room, and I didn’t want to risk losing thefort of the one we had. It was a modr style
couch, colored a nice salmon and decorated with fluffy pillows.
“You two are up to something,” I said evenly, maximizing the image. They gave me some expectant
nces and I heaved a sigh. “I like this one.”
As they gushed over my choice, I began to ponder over it all. With them browsing through the
catalog, discussing various furniture options, I thought of the paparazzi that seemed to be
constantly lurking outside my windows, as well as from the persistent threats from Bruce.
Maybe it was time for a more significant change?
“You know,” I began, giving them a sideways nce, “Maybe we need more than
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just a new couch.”
They both turned to me in awe, processing my words. Aria leaned in closer, her eyes filled with
anticipation. “What do you mean?”
I shrugged. “I mean, what if get a new ce?”
Aria nodded urgently. “I’ve been thinking the same thing!”
A new location, a new beginning–it sounded like a dreame true. The more I thought about it,
the more it made sense. It would mean leaving behind the prying. eyes of the paparazzi and the
constant meddling of Bruce, and maybe even a chance to rebuild my life on my own terms.
“We could find a ce that’s safe, away from all the chaos, I added. “Somewhere peaceful and
quiet.”
Aria’s face lit up with excitement, and she pped her hands together. “I’m so d you feel that
way, Evie! Let’s start looking for a new ce right away.”
“Yeah.” I hesitated for only a moment before nodding, feeling more secure with this decision. A little
change never hurt too much. “Let’s do it!”
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