Buried Wishes ✔

Chapter 40: The Van der Gelt

~ [Evelyn] ~

"Why didn't you tell me you were with Mason on the plane?" Liam bursted as soon as he closed the door to our hotel room. I paused to make sure that the door had clicked before speaking.

"It didn't cross my mind, as I was busy wondering what you were doing with a very wet and naked Grace in your room." I glared at him, hurt by his accusation. As if anything would happen between me and Mason. I thought we were past this when I chose him, when every part of me unanimously chose him. It had always been him and I knew that when he stormed into my place with a hand full of disassembled stars, he knew that too.

"I already told you that nothing happened!" His yelling only scared me more.

"Then won't you believe it when I tell you that nothing happened with Mason? He's sad, Liam. He asked me for forgiveness and wanted to stay friends. He was civil, something you AREN'T right now!" I felt the back of my neck burn with increased tension and I wanted nothing more than to throw the flat screen tv across his room.

"How can I be? You're the one holding things in! You had so many chances to tell me, but having to hear from him that you two rode together makes me think something did happen," he continued, sounding like a repeating tape of a screaming goat.

"And hearing you take offense on this makes me think you have done something to make you want to deflect. So what is it, huh? What the fuck happened that would make you react this way?" I scrutinized him with every nerve I've got, because it was my last ounce of energy. I was tired of this fight. It's stupid. Of course I believed in him.

But then there was a look in his eyes, a twitch in his brow.

It was almost nothing.

Yet, it was enough to make me consider the possibility. So I pushed for it.

"Liam... What is it?" I heard the shakiness in my tone. "Did something happen?"

"A week ago, Grace and I were having lunch in my office while we went over some papers." He paused.

Okay, Evelyn. It's okay. It sounds innocent enough so far.

"A giant pile fell on the floor so we both bent down to pick it up, and I guess we both lost balance. She kind of just fell on me and our lips touched for a second. But I swear that was it. It was just a moment." He couldn't even meet my eyes. As words left his lips, his eyes were on the bed, the walls, the floor. Everywhere but me.

I studied him for a long time, soaking in the silence and letting it speak volumes.

Please, God, don't let it mean anything.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I wondered if he heard the crack in my voice as I spoke. I wondered if he knew more than just my voice was cracking.

"Well," he swallowed hard, "I thought it was nothing serious, so I didn't want to make a big deal out of it. I didn't want to stress you."

I narrowed my eyes at him, "Right."

"What? It was just an accident, Ev. It meant nothing," he clarified poorly.

"Sure, it was an accident." I walked toward my bag to set my coat down.

"What does that mean?" His eyes shot at me accusingly.

"It means Grace has wanted you since high school and I don't doubt that she still does," I answered casually without looking at him. I didn't need to see the look on his face to know that he was unhappy with my tone.

"What are you even talking about? Grace and I are friends. You need to get over whatever grudge you have over her." He loosened his tie roughly and sat down on the edge of the bed.