The Life That Mattered (Life #1)(74)

Ronin had clearly been through a lot, not just from recent events, but during the span of most of his life. The accident he suffered as a child changed him. Even if I didn’t fully understand it, or wholeheartedly believed all of it, I stood by him. His physical pain and emotional suffering emanated from every inch of his body.

“Today Lila is alive. Today you are feeling better. You don’t need to prepare me for tomorrow or any day after that. How many times do I have to tell you I’m stronger than you think I am?”

“Evie …” He covered my hand with his and turned his head a fraction so his lips pressed to my palm. “You are the strongest person I know. But that will never stop me from dedicating every breath, every second, I have on this earth to keep you from having your heart broken. I said I’d hold our family together.”

I wrapped both arms around his neck. He leaned down instead of picking me up off my feet like he usually did when I hugged him. His vulnerability chipped away at my emotional armor. “We will hold our family together.”

“We …” he echoed me while wrapping his arms around my waist.

I slipped on my favorite—but rather weathered—brave face and sent Ronin home to spend time with the kids and his parents so I could finish setting up my displays. At least … that was my excuse.

After he made it across the street toward his car, I locked the shop door and stuck up our “Be back in 15 minutes” sign that we used in a pinch when only one person was manning the shop. Then I retreated to the back room to cry my eyes out.

Either my best friend was dying, or my husband was crazy.



Two weeks later, I drove to Denver to visit my mom and Lila. Mom seemed to have rebounded since the seizure. We ate lunch before I headed to Lila’s and Graham’s house. They rarely stayed at the governor’s mansion. It was subpar to the Porter estate, and no staff were provided. Lila needed help doing everything at the moment. She’d been released from the hospital that morning, so I was excited to see her and Graham.

“You look like you could use a manicure.” I peeked my head into her massive bedroom. Seriously, the ceiling was two stories with mammoth windows and lavish coverings, all imported from some place I couldn’t remember and hand-stitched by someone really important, also whom I couldn’t remember. My window coverings were from Target.

“Evie!” She grimaced for a split second, pushing herself up in bed.

I hugged her so tightly; I feared I might hurt her, but I couldn’t help it. After the accident and Ronin’s revelation two weeks earlier, it felt amazing to hug my best friend and see her on the mend. “You look good, so good.”

Lila gave me the stink eye as I climbed onto the other side of the bed, crossing my legs while facing her. “Really?” She pointed to her face. The four-inch gouge showed signs of mending nicely, but I realized all she saw was the potential scar. Graham brought in the best plastics guy to work on her face. I knew there wouldn’t be much of a scar after it completely healed.

“Yes, I see it. And I see you. And you’re alive! Please don’t focus on the little things that don’t matter.” I glanced around. “Where’s Graham Cracker?”

“D.C.”

“What?” I drew my head back.

Lila lifted her good shoulder. “He’ll be home in a few days. I have a gazillion people waiting on me and checking up on me.” She smirked. “Besides you. So it’s fine.”

“He’s your husband. No one replaces him. He should have been the one to bring you home. Who brought you home?”

“Fiona.”

“Your personal assistant? You mean his parents couldn’t even take it upon themselves to pick you up in Graham’s absence? Are you kidding me?”

“It’s fine, Evie. They’re out of town. Besides, Fiona is my friend. She’s become family of sorts.”

I wrinkled my nose, not out of jealousy. No. It was the memory of Lila telling me how Fiona would wait outside of Graham’s office with clean underwear and a cloth for Lila after Graham fucked her in his office. I knew what it was like to be that kind of friend to Lila, so it made me sad for her. Who wants to need that from a friend?

“I’m glad she was there for you. Had I known, I would have picked you up. I was visiting my mom this morning, but we both would have picked you up and brought you home. I just assumed it was Graham, and I didn’t want to step on his toes.”

“I’m alive.” She winked. “No need to focus on the little things that don’t matter, right?”

I shook my head, trying to fight back my grin. “Touché.”

Lila’s gaze shifted to my bag. “Did you seriously bring stuff to give me a manicure?”

“Yes.” I tipped my chin up. “And a pedicure.”

She chuckled. “You realize I can order that sort of pampering anytime I want it, right?”

I grabbed her hand and inspected her nails and the peeling red polish. “Yes. But I knew you wouldn’t do it today, so I jumped at the chance to go back twenty-five years to when we used to give each other manis and pedis.” Crawling off of the bed, I padded to the bathroom to find a few things. “I bet these are expensive towels, huh?” I ran some hot water.

“Of course,” Lila replied.

“Well, they’re going to get fucked-up today.” I returned with a wicked grin and fine linens to ruin with nail polish.