"I'll be really honest with you, Evie. I was really upset when I found out about your relationship with Devon. I knew there'd be complications getting involved with a widower with young children, but I love those kids and I was really up for the challenge. I hadn't anticipated competing with another woman." Evie tried to interrupt me, but I powered through, holding up a hand. "But I spoke about it with him and talked it through. And while I understand your relationship is complicated, I also understand it isn't romantic, even though at one time you both thought it might have been." She seemed to relax at my words. "If I really thought Devon was romantically invested in another woman, I wouldn't be here."
"I'm glad to hear that. You're a wonderful woman and you deserve a great guy. And Devon is one of the best."
"I agree," I said with a smile. "The best thing for Ruby and Jax is if we're all friends, so that's what I'd like, but I'd like to be friends even if it weren't for the kids."
"To friendship," she said, raising her wine glass.
"To friendship." We clinked our glasses and took a sip.
"Olivia would have really liked you," Evie said after a few quiet moments.
Her words were unexpected, but the really unexpected part was my reaction to them. I hadn't ever considered what Devon's late wife would think of me, but the idea of her approval was overwhelming and I found tears welling in my eyes. I dabbed at my eyes, trying to maintain my composure, but felt compelled to speak.
"Even if it doesn't work out with Devon, and it's not meant to be with us, him and those kids deserve the best, Evie. They've been through too much to tolerate anything less. And frankly, I've had a pretty bad run myself. So, if they get even one tiny fraction of the happiness from me that I get from them, well, that's all I can ask for."
I watched as Evie dabbed away her own tears and then the sliding door opened and Devon walked out.
"Oh, no. Too much wine," he joked as he took his seat, making both Evie and me laugh through our tears.
"No such thing," Evie quipped.
I reached forward and clinked my glass against hers again, making Devon smile. I loved his smile. Especially when it reached his deep blue eyes and the little crinkles at the corners came out.
"I was just telling Grace that Olivia would have really liked her."
Devon went quiet for a moment, but his smile never faltered. Then he reached over and took my hand, threaded our fingers, and brought the back of my hand to his lips, leaving a kiss there.
"Yes, I do believe she would have."
"Really?" I asked, new tears stinging in my eyes. I didn't have a clue as to why the idea made me so emotional, but it did.
"Aw, come here, babe."
I rose up and took two steps to him, then sat on his lap, my arms winding around his neck, pressing my face to his chest, trying to keep the tears to a minimum.
"You don't have to cry," he said as he ran his hand up and down my back. "She would have loved you. And trust me, if she could pick anyone for me, it would be you."
"Stop," I said, sniffing against his chest.
"Okay," he said, laughing a little. "But you ladies have to lay off the wine. You can't drive home like this. I'll have to take you."
"Oh, no. I'm sorry. I didn't even think about that." I pulled back and wiped my tears, but Devon wouldn't let me get far and kept his arm wrapped firmly around my waist.
"It's not a problem. Evie's more than capable of being alone with my sleeping children for a half hour so I can drive you home."
"I don't mind one bit," she said with a firm nod of her head. "But before you go, I wanted to tell you both something. Well, Nate wanted to be here too, but that didn't work out." She took a breath and smiled widely. "We've picked a wedding date."
"Really?" I exclaimed. "When?"
"We want to have a Christmas wedding, in Hawaii."
"Oh my goodness! That's going to be beautiful!"
"That sounds amazing, Evie. I'm so happy for you," Devon said, gently putting me down and standing to hug her.
"Thank you," she said, hugging him back. "We want the kids to be in the wedding. Ring bearer and flower girl. Or maybe Ruby can be in the bridal party? I don't want to make her feel like a child."
"I think Ruby would love to be a part of your wedding in any way," Devon said.
"So, you'll come? Both of you?" Evie asked, her eyes darting between us.
"We wouldn't miss it for anything," Devon replied, hugging her again. When he pulled back, I moved to hug her too. There was so much happiness between all three of us, it almost felt like electricity in the air.
"Congratulations," I said as we hugged, meaning it with everything in me. Evie wasn't a threat to my relationship with Devon; I'd learned that. And if we'd met outside of those circumstances, I would have become fast friends with her.
"Thank you," she said as she pulled away.
"What kind of dress are you going to wear?"
"That's my cue to go get another beer," Devon said, laughing as he went into the house. Evie and I sat on the porch for another hour, looking at dresses and talking about venues, and there wasn't an ounce of awkwardness. Just the excitement of a new friendship.
Chapter Twenty-One
Devon
If I'd had any questions about Evie and Grace, they'd been put to rest. Nothing bonded women like wedding talk. The two women hugged at the door and said their good-byes before I walked Grace to my car and reluctantly drove her home for the evening.
Halfway to her house, her hand holding mine and resting in my lap, I turned to look at her.
"You know, you don't have to stay at your house just because Evie's in town for the night."
She shrugged. "It's okay. I don't mind. I didn't want to be in the way or anything. Plus, one houseguest is enough."
"You're not a houseguest, Grace. You're my girlfriend." Even in the darkness of the car, I could tell she was blushing.
"It's better this way," she said, giving my hand a squeeze. "The kids will get some great time with Evie."
"It's not you or her, Grace. They can get great time with Evie when you're there too. I know you're doing this because it feels right to you, but I just want you to understand that I don't want you to go anywhere. For any reason. I don't want you to feel like you're not welcome. I want you there. I want you with me."
"I love that you feel that way. And maybe next time I'll feel comfortable, but tonight it feels right to go to my own home. Evie's on your couch and it would feel awkward to sleep in your bed with someone down the hall."
I could understand her point, but it didn't make me feel any better about the situation. I'd gotten used to her in my bed and I wasn't looking forward to a night without her.
"The entire time the kids are gone, you're at my house. When you pack your bags in the morning, pack so you don't have to come back for anything. All right?"
"Bossy," she said with a smirk on her face.
"Damn straight," I said, bringing the back of her hand up for a kiss. "I'll come pick you up right after I drop Evie and the kids off at the airport tomorrow afternoon, and I'm not taking you home. I want you in my bed every night."
"Okay," she whispered, but I could tell she was smiling.
I pulled into her apartment complex, walked her to the door, and kissed her silly before she slipped into her home. I wanted nothing more than to follow her in and take her to bed, but I knew I had to bide my time. I stayed outside her door until I heard the dead bolt click, then made my way back to my car.
The kids were excited to fly to California, but I was still glad Evie was there to accompany them. Instead of a nervous good-bye, the kids were happy and practically vibrating with anticipation. The flight would be long, but they were armed with snacks, tablets, and books. I hugged and kissed both of them, told them to have the best time but to also be on their best behavior, and then I pulled Evie into a hug.
"Don't take any crap from them," I said with a laugh. "And make sure you tell Nate I said hello."
"I will," she said with a smile. "Don't worry about a thing. They're in good hands and we're going to have the best time."
"Disney World for spring break and Disneyland on summer vacation? I bet no one at school had a summer that cool," Jaxy said, smiling from ear to ear.
"I bet you're right."
Evie put her hand on my arm and angled me away from the kids.
"You have a good time too, okay?" she said, and then winked. "Enjoy the time without the kids. I know you'll miss them, but make sure you live it up without them. Go to a late movie, one that's R-rated, and eat all the junk food."
"Trust me, I've got plenty of adult activities planned."
"Good," she said with a laugh.
I watched them go through security and disappear around a corner, then let out a large sigh. I would miss them, but it was still a tiny relief to know they'd be gone a few days. Evie was more than capable of taking care of them. For three years I'd been doing it practically on my own, so I wasn't going to take this time for granted.
I had to stop a couple places to grab some supplies, but then I was going to pick up Grace and spend a few days enjoying her.