Unexpected Eva (Triple Trouble #3)(29)

I eye the high ceiling of my bedroom.

Since when did this house feel so lonely? So big?

Eva was right about my cooker not living out its purpose, but neither is my house. It’s a family home with no family in it anymore, not since my parents gifted it to me and then Lincoln moved out. Leaving only me and Sam. How sad.

Yup, Knox, you’re exactly where you want to be in life at forty-three.

Yeah, right.

I read a blog recently that highlighted the top daily habits of successful entrepreneurs. One of them said entrepreneurs, like me, make time to unplug.

It’s all lies. Who makes that shit up?

I certainly don’t do that. If I do, then all I’m reminded of is exactly what I don't have in my life.

All the things I always wanted.

I wanted the loving wife, the two point four children, more even, more brothers and sisters for Lincoln. I wanted the mess and chaos. Fun, laughter, big family holidays, all of it. There was a time I think I wanted it with Olivia, Lincoln’s mother. But it’s not what she wanted. So she left me, left Lincoln, left us. And for that, I will never forgive her.

It was always Lincoln and me, and, of course, my parents who helped me raise Linc. I don’t know what I would have done without their support. I will forever be grateful to them for picking up the broken pieces of my life when Olivia left us.

And now, I think I’m too old for the extensive family I always dreamed of having.

Newsflash, Knox. You need someone to share your life with and to have that family with in the first place, dumbass.

A soul mate, that’s what I want. Something I believe in with epistemic certainty. I truly believe every one of us has a twin heart. Someone who gets you, who understands all your complexities, accepts you as you are, would walk through fire for you and be there, regardless.

I’ve never experienced that level of romantic connection before. But I crave it. Not that I would ever admit that to anyone because it makes me sound like a soppy asshole.

Both my high school friends, Shane and Corey, have it. I’m the odd man out, the only guy who gets invited to parties and never takes a partner.

Taking Tabby would give off the wrong vibes. Give her the wrong impression. She’s already way too keen for my liking, but that spark, that thing that everyone speaks about, the connection, it’s not there with her and me. It was never there with Olivia, either. I was too young to recognize that. I do now.

It’s exactly like me and Tabby too—one-sided.

With Olivia, it was all me who put the effort in, and she gave nothing back. Tabby’s the one to pursue, push, text, call, try to arrange meals out and dinner parties, and I do the bare minimum to keep her sweet.

I’m a fucking asshole. I’m calling Tabby to end things once and for all. It’s been four months since we fucked, but she needs to be told it’s over.

Love everlasting? What a joke. I think that ship sailed for me a very long time ago.

Well, I thought it had. I tilt my head again, shifting my focus to someone that has certainly made my life way more interesting this weekend. I’d take Eva to every wedding, party, and social gathering. I’d be the luckiest guy in the room. I’d shower her with gifts, nights out, nights in, everything. This I know for certain.

Why the hell does she have to be so young, my friend’s daughter, and Lincoln’s new fixation?

“If you keep staring, I might just give you an autograph,” Eva grumbles, her morning voice a little scratchy.

Damn, she caught me.

“I’m not staring,” I protest.

“Yes, you were.” She yawns and her face scrunches up. She’s beautiful. Cute too.

I roll over on my side to face her, keeping her lean legs secured firmly around my hips. She nuzzles into my chest.

A man could get used to this. I like it. A lot.

“Who knew? Knox Black is a cuddle fan, after all. Cuddlefest 5000.”

I really am. But only with her.

Chuckling, I pull her in close, tickling her bare back with my fingertips.

“I slept like the dead,” she mumbles. “This bed is so comfortable. I bet you paid a fortune for it. Did you get your mattress from the mattresses for rich people shop?” She rubs her itchy nose on my pec.

“You’re funny,” I say deadpan.

“I know. I’m hilarious.”

“Someone’s spicy this morning.” I poke her side, making her flinch and squeal.

“Oh, don’t do that.” She squirms in my arms.

Basking in the warmth of each other, we lie there together, locked in comfortable silence.

Never one to spoil the mood, there’s been something I’ve been desperate to find out. I take a chance while she’s relaxed. “Can I ask you something, Eva?”

“Mm-hmm. Ask away.” She rests her warm hand on my pec. She’s always touching me.

“What happened between you and Ewan?” Her fingers twitch against my skin and her body automatically tenses.

That can’t be good. Shit, I should have held my tongue.

Clearing her throat, she tilts her head up and looks me directly in the eye.

“You want to know why we’re getting divorced? After the lovely weekend we’ve spent together?” She stares hard. “Ewan doesn’t deserve my time or energy anymore. He definitely doesn't deserve bursting my happy bubble.”