32

Chapter thirty two: Barbie and scotch

Evan invited us to his house for some dinner which I would of happily declined due to meeting Emma which tugged at my heartstrings but Ember was too happy with the idea of it so here we are now outside his front door.

In hand was a bottle of white wine I decided to bring over for good gesture and a box of chocolates for Emma to smooth over the bumps if there were any. "Emma isn't going to want chocolate" Ember scolded just above a whisper which made me furrow my brows.

"Is that because you're jealous I didn't get you a box of chocolates sweetie?" I joked with a chiselled grin which made her contort her face into her signature puffed out cheeks and crinkled up lip.

"Ahh it's lovely you could make it" Evan greeted as he peeled open the door. My eyes immediately began scouring the interior and you could tell that he had some good money from how luxurious it felt. "It's a pleasure. Ember would of hated me if I didn't so here we are" I mused blankly, my fingers brushing over one of the hung pictures which was of him and Emma.

"You two are quite serious then" I asked as I let out a hum. Truly I was trying to keep my composure but every nerve inside of me was spiked with sadness and anger.

Evan scratched his nape and swallowed harshly "I suppose you could say that. But we haven't moved in with one another yet. Though she basically should live here with all her shit everywhere"

Ignoring his attempt at softening the awkward tension with a not so funny joke I turned my attention to Ember who was twirling about erratically. "Mommy why can't we have a house like this?" She grumbled which only fuelled my embarrassment.

"Because mommy isn't loaded" I retorted with my hands squeezing the gifts I had brought; though now I wish I could just throw them on the floor and leave.

Emma strolled in with an apron around her petite waist, her hair was freshly bleached and her makeup done to perfection. I could never compete with her and I understood why Evan was so starstruck. "You just be the infamous little Ember" she gushed as she crouched in-front of her with a wide smile.

"Mommy got you chocolates.." Ember said distastefully "if you don't want them though then I'll take them" she continued on which made me roll my eyes.

"Aw well thank you both, your daddy is actually the chocolate lover. I'm not too into it anyway so you and daddy can share maybe?" Emma informed the now happy child.

Ember nodded enthusiastically and skipped off to explore the house which left the three of us in an almost triangular shape. "Sorry I should of mentioned that I hate chocolates-

I put my hands up in the air "no bother. I didn't exactly ask what you would like for a gift nor would you be expecting one. But I do have white wine?"

Emma clasped her hands together "you know what.. that's exactly what is needed for tonight" which is something I could agree on.

Awkwardly I followed the two who were holding hands to the dining area that was perfectly laid out. "I wasn't sure what to cook as I know children are fussy so I kept it simple with spaghetti"

"That's.. great" I replied "children do go through all sorts of picky phases but you can never go wrong with some pasta. Most of the time anyway"

Emma laughed lightly "it's great to meet you too. Sometimes these sort of things can be awkward because of you and Evan's history but I doubt we will have any issues. Besides we are polar opposites. I'm like Barbie and you.."

"Yeah I get it. I'm not the norm" I scoffed almost offensively "I've gotten that most of my life. Seems my style hasn't changed all that much other than less of the eyeliner"

Emma ran a hand through her blonde hair "ahh you're so funny. I love that" though I could sense how forced that whole sentence was which just unnerved me.

Evan popped open the wine not a second later "I think it's time to get this night started"

Emma began dishing up the food as I sat down uncomfortably on one of the chairs, I felt like I shouldn't be here but Evan requested I come along even though he hated my guts less than forty eight hours ago.

"Ew I hate pasta" Ember said as she turned up her nose in disgust even though she ate it last week. "Mommy I don't want this"

I frowned "baby, you love pasta remember you had two servings last week?"

She shook her head "I like your pasta"

Emma nibbled down on her lip and forced a smile "it's okay sweetie. What did you want to eat?"

Ember pondered for a second "fries and nuggets" which made Emma rise from her chair "then I suppose it's fries and nuggets for the lady" but something about her trying so hard just seemed so off-putting and forced.

"It's fine you don't need to make her anything else I'll get her takeout" I reassured but Emma put her hand up in protest "don't be silly. The little girl is hungry so she will get food"

Evan smiled from across the table "so, how's life going for you anyway?"

"Nothing too much. Juggling being a mother and a tattoo artist as you can tell.." I stated as I motioned to the artwork on my legs.

Evan widened his eyes "wow they look amazing, I'm presuming you get some sort of discount ?"

I chuckled "most of those are from myself when I get bored"

Evan leaned his elbow on the table "that's fucking amazing" he then grabbed his glass of wine and began to drink it. "You always wanted to be a tattoo artist. I'm proud of you"

I loved the serenity of his words and it felt comforting to me but I couldn't help but feel so saddened that we were officially over. There would be no more of Evan and Maeve.

"Thank you and I'm so happy that you achieved everything you've wanted to" I said as I picked at the skin around my nails.

**

"I'll leave soon, Ember is asleep on your couch and at this rate we will be sleeping round" I said with a heavy sigh

Evan shook his head "no, you can stay in my guest room. Besides now we can really start drinking and perhaps have fun"

I scratched the back of my neck in thought "Emma wouldn't like that if she knew I stayed round" which earned a devious look on Evan's face.

"Emma is sound asleep herself. All the spaghetti and wine was too much. She doesn't need to know" he teased with a wink that sent a shockwave down my spine.

"Okay but I'm not dealing with an angry Barbie in the morning if she see's us" I scoffed comically.

"You already have a pet name for her?" Evan mused with an infectious grin. "It's a good one though I'll give you that"

Evan poured us another drink but this time he grabbed the scotch which was exactly what I needed. "Cheers to meeting again after seven fucking years" Evan sighed as he raised his glass "maybe things would of been different"

A small inclination in my belly was telling me Evan was trying to flirt with me but I pushed it away and focused on the burning liquor in my mouth.

"So Maeve are you ready to talk like adults ?"

Blinking a few times I stared up at him with confusion. "Haven't we been this whole time?"

"I mean, let's get some closure. Let's unpile what we need to and move forward" Evan stated with a sad look "I want us to lay it out on the table"

I lowered my head "I think that would be beneficial for all of us"

Evan scratched his head from nerves before proceeding to his glass again "so you didn't tell me about Ember because you didn't want me to not achieve my career choice ?"

I laughed dryly "when you put it like that it sounds even worse"

Evan pursed his lips together "like I told Ember you're an utter idiot for that"

"I thought I was looking out for your best interest. I regret it now too, believe me but look at what you've achieved Evan. You wouldn't of been able to do it with us"

"You know nothing Maeve. I would of been able to achieve more by being with you and that little girl"

"I'm sorry for not contacting you.. I suppose I thought you would of appreciated not dealing with my needy texts all the time and get on with your life" Evan spoke truthfully which seemed to make my heart pound.

"Your needy texts were the best thing about my day" I chuckled "truly, I loved you so damn much that I would of moved oceans for you. If anything I thought I would burden you"

"Then it looks like we were both wrong" Evan said as he licked his chapped lips "and I know in this moment how badly I really have missed you"

Evan came and sat next to me, pulling me into a hug that made me bury my face into the crook of his neck. Hearing his beating heart was one of the most beautiful sounds I had ever heard and it felt like home.

"Do you want to know a secret ?" Evan whispered as he pulled away ever so slightly "no matter what happens I will never stop loving you"

His words hit me hard and for some reason tears began to brew in my eyes from the severity of emotions bubbling inside of me. How can he say this when he is in a relationship ?

"Evan" I replied sternly, my hands pushing his chest.

"Do not flirt with me when you have a girlfriend"

Evan tilted his head to the side playfully "who said I was flirting with you?"

My tummy began making flips and my thighs instantly began to squeeze together tightly. I hated the way he made me feel with little to none physical or verbal interaction.

"If you want me to flirt.. then I can flirt" he teased in my ear as his breath fanned my neck. "But I can do more than flirt if you like"

A crimson blush powdered my cheeks furiously as I became hot and bothered. "Evan for one you're in a relationship and for two our daughter is asleep not even two arm lengths away"

Evan chuckled and threw his head back "you're right. Blame it on the scotch"