“Alright.” Evangeline nodded, her tone steady and sincere–there wasn’t the slightest hint of jest.
Finn was caught a little off guard by her crisp reply. “You don’t want to think it over?”
He smiled wryly. “You just finalized your divorce from Soren, and now you’re with me. Aren’t you worried about people gossiping?”
Evangeline gave a soft laugh. “If I stay single after divorcing Soren, people will talk. If I start dating, they’ll talk. If I start now, they’ll gossip; if I wait a while, they’ll dig up my past and gossip anyway.”
“They only want to see me make a fool of myself. So, if I have to choose someone, why not pick the best?”
She smiled, eyes bright. “You’re handsome, thoughtful, know how to make a woman laugh, and you’re a Lockridge–wealthy, powerful. Even if people do talk, most of it will just be envy.”
Finn couldn’t stop the smile tugging at his lips.
“But really, you’re the one who should be thinking twice.” Evangeline met his gaze. “I come with a lot of baggage. If we’re together, you’ll be dragged into all kinds of messes.”
Finn stroked his chin, chuckling. “Maybe to someone else, that would sound like trouble. To me, it’s just part of the fun of falling in love.”
“Then, to a happy relationship.” Evangeline extended her hand.
Finn’s eyes flicked to her hand, a laugh escaping him. But then his gaze traveled up, lingering on her pale pink lips.
Earlier, kissing Evangeline by the lake had been a matter of necessity, nothing more. But now, looking at her lips, he felt a strange itch in his
chest, as if a kitten were pawing at his heart.
He leaned in, drawing closer and closer.
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Before he could move further, Evangeline reached out and gently
removed his glasses. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him down and kissed him hard.
Her lips were warm and soft against his, and Finn’s eyes widened for a moment in surprise.
Three minutes passed before they finally broke apart.
Evangeline was breathless, her whole body damp, unsure if it was from the lake or from sweat.
Soren had rarely kissed her before; when he wanted to humiliate her, he’d even cover her face on purpose. She’d never realized how exhausting a kiss could be, or that it could last so long.
Just now, she’d honestly felt like she might suffocate.
She could tell Finn wasn’t entirely satisfied either, yet he let her go.
He smirked, took his glasses from her hand, slipped them back on with his usual elegance, and said coolly, “I’m going to change. See you in a bit.”
After he left, Evangeline took a deep, shaky breath before getting up and heading for the elevator.
Soren hurried into the lobby just in time to see Evangeline stepping inside. He slowed, stopping where he stood, and watched the elevator
doors close.
He caught a glimpse of her, head bowed, lost in thought.
Was she waiting for him to come after her? Or was she disappointed because he hadn’t?
Soren’s frown slowly eased.
He turned the diamond ring in his hand, debating. Maybe he should make
it up to her–she’d been wronged tonight, after all.
With that thought, he made his way upstairs.
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Just then, Poppy rushed over. “Soren, wait!”
He glanced back, saw Poppy, and felt a strange pang as he remembered what had just happened. He didn’t stop.
Poppy grabbed his waist. “Soren, I know you’re angry, but I had my reasons. Just hear me out.”
“What’s left to explain?” Soren pried her hands off and kept walking.
He knew Poppy still resented the way Evangeline had married into the Fawkes family. He’d tried to make it up to her, and sometimes when Poppy let others pick on Evangeline, he’d look the other way, hoping it would help her vent her anger.
But he never imagined Poppy could be so cruel–to even plot to kill Evangeline.
Seeing his anger and disgust, Poppy bit her lip. “Fine, I admit it was deliberate. But it was for Flora.”
Soren stopped short, brow furrowing. “What does Flora have to do with
this?”
Poppy let out a heavy breath. “Evangeline nearly ruined Flora’s reputation.”
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