Barely Breathing (The Breathing #2)(91)

"Sure, that sounds great," Sara agreed.

"Really?" my mother's eyes lit up. "I'm happy you'll be there. I really want it to be fun."

"It will be," Sara assured her. "If you want me to bring anything, or do anything to help, let me know."

"I will," my mother beamed. It became evident to me just how important this party was to her, and with everything going on the last few days, we hadn't really talked much about it. Despite everything, all I really wanted was for her to be happy.

"I think Evan has a poker table we could borrow," I added.

"That would be amazing," she glowed. "Thanks."

"Sure," I replied with a small smile before following Sara up the stairs. As I entered my room, I texted, Wait til after her birthday. And dont worry about me.

I unzipped my jacket and tossed it on the chair at my desk while Sara shut the door and settled on my bed. My phone beeped, and Jonathan responded with, Okay. But I do, cant help it. My cheeks filled with heat, and I stuffed the phone in my jacket pocket.

"Okay. So, you have to say something to him," Sara began before I could even sit down. "You have to tell him that he can't hang out with her anymore."

I started to worry about what potential disasters awaited us at my mother's party. How Sara and Evan would react at the sight of it. Maybe she'd just get giddy drunk, like she sometimes did, and talk too loud, spewing semi-embarrassing comments. I could live with that.

"Emma!"

"Uh, what?" I redirected my focus.

"The invasion of Analise," Sara stressed. "What's going on with you? Have you heard a single word I've said?"

"Yes," I replied. "I need to set boundaries."

"No," she corrected sternly, "Evan needs to set boundaries. He can't have an obsessed girl doting after him all over the place and expect you to be the loving girlfriend who's pretending nothing's happening."

"Right," I agreed without the gusto Sara was looking for. She gawked at me disapprovingly. 

"But what if I'm overreacting?" I asked quietly, lying on my bed next to her.

"Overreacting? Um …  the whole school is talking about them. They went to a party together last Friday. She's over at his house all of the time, and he drives her to school. They look more like a―"

"Okay," I interrupted, not needing the detailed visual. "I get it. I'll talk to him."

"Why do I feel like I'm talking you into this?" she questioned in concern. "Do you not remember being blindsided at lunch today? I saw the look on your face when she brought up the dinner."

Just the mention of it made me clench my teeth. "Yes. I'll talk to him."

"Okay. I have to go. My mom's waiting on me for dinner. I'll see you tomorrow," Sara said, grabbing her things and opening the door.

Evan appeared at the top of the stairs. Sara stopped short. "Uh, hi, Evan."

"Hi, Sara," he returned. She scooted past him and flashed me a bared teeth, good luck look as she disappeared down the stairs.

Evan remained outside of my room, hesitating at the sight of me.

"Hi," he said lowly, shutting the door behind him.

"Hi," I returned, barely audible. I sat against the headboard, pulling a pillow onto my lap.

Evan sat down on the end of my bed―the strain between us suffocated me.

"I should have invited you to the dinner," Evan began. "I guess I know how much you hate them …  but I should have given you the choice."

"It's not just the dinner," I returned, letting out a distraught breath. "You've been spending a lot of time with her, and I …  I don't like it. It's that simple."

"Em, I don't see her like that, I swear. She's like a little sister to me." He silently pled for me to believe him.

"You may feel that way about her, but Evan, she has a thing for you. You have to know that."

"I know," he sighed. "It's not what I meant to happen. I just wanted to make her feel welcome, being new and everything. I know how hard it can be."

His words drifted through me and swelled my heart. I knew he meant it, because that's exactly who he was. "Evan, you're the most thoughtful person I've ever known, and I love you for that. But you need to set boundaries with her."

"I will," he agreed, moving closer. "So, did you just say that you still love me?" He teased, continuing to scoot along the bed until he was next to me.

"Yes," I battled to hide my grin. "Some sunshiny sprite is not―"

"Emma!" Evan balked in surprise.

"Sorry," I smirked. "She's nice. I just … "