Irresistible In Love
Page 70

The house wasn’t large, with an L-shape for dining, kitchen, and family room. There was no formal living room, but Paige thought rooms that didn’t get used except on formal occasions were a waste of space anyway. Everything was neat and clean, the tile counter sparkling, though it had a couple of cracks in it. The appliances were older, but who cared as long as everything worked? The place was homey, and that was the most important thing.
Tony carried the tray of mugs, bowls, a cow-shaped creamer jug, and a sugar pot into the family room, setting it on the coffee table. Theresa brought the coffee carafe, and Kelsey followed up with the trifle.
“Would you like to do the honors, Evan, since you brought the dessert?” Theresa held out a big serving spoon.
“You go ahead, Mom.”
She faltered, her hand trembling as she looked at him in shock. Then with joy. Her eyes shone with moisture as she smiled and said, “All right, dear. Big piece or little?”
“Huge,” he said. “We’re celebrating.” He grinned at Kelsey. “All the calories are free tonight.”
Sitting next to him on the sofa, Kelsey leaned over to kiss his cheek. “Thank you, big brother.” Paige knew the show of affection had nothing to do with the cake and everything to do with their mother.
After Tony had poured coffee and passed around the cream and sugar, Evan held up his mug. “I’d like to make a toast.” They all raised their mugs as he said, “First, to our mother. You did a fabulous job of raising your children.”
“Oh Evan.” A tear slid down Theresa’s cheek. “I didn’t raise you.”
“You did for nine years. Then you let me stay with Susan and Bob, who finished the job. I will be forever grateful for that opportunity to become the man I am.” Theresa swiped at the tears streaming down her face, and then he reached for her hand. “I know now that you did the absolute best you could in difficult circumstances and that you made the only choice you felt you could at the time. I don’t want you to feel guilty about that anymore. I had a great life with Bob and Susan, and I’m looking forward to an even better life going forward, with you in it, along with my brother and sister.”
Paige was so proud of Evan that her heart felt close to bursting with love.
He raised his mug again. “To Tony and Kelsey. I’m honored to have you as my brother and sister, and I want to get to know you both much better.”
They clinked their mugs with his, and Paige thought Kelsey might start crying too. Even Tony’s eyes had grown shiny.
“Thanks for not kicking us out the day we showed up at your house uninvited.” Tony grinned and lifted his mug higher. “To family.”
Evan’s grin was a mirror to his brother’s. “To family.”
They all cheered.
“One more toast.” He turned and faced her. “To Paige. The woman I love with all my heart. You have been my friend, my best friend, for years. I’m damned glad that by the time I finally woke up and realized I couldn’t live without you, I hadn’t lost you. Because you’re everything to me. Everything.”
Paige didn’t think twice—she simply leaned over and kissed him right there in front of his family.
“It’s about time,” Kelsey said, as if she’d known they belonged together that very first day she’d met them.
“I’m so happy for you both.” Theresa squeezed Paige’s hand.
“Me too.” Tony’s grin was even wider now as he held his cup aloft in another toast.
“You’re all as lucky as I am to have her.” Evan looked at Paige with all his emotions in his gaze.
Pretty soon, she’d be crying buckets too.
Then Evan reached into his pocket, and when his hand reappeared, Paige recognized the plastic T-Rex on his palm. And her tears fell for this big, beautiful, wonderful, forgiving man.
“You remember this little guy, Mom?” He handed the trinket to her.
“Oh Evan,” she whispered, grabbing a napkin to blot her eyes as she held the dinosaur close to her heart. “You kept it?”
“I’ve never been able to let it go,” Evan said as he reached for Paige’s hand.
“The Field Museum in Chicago,” his mother told Kelsey and Tony. “We went to see the dinosaurs.”
“It was the best day ever,” he said, punctuating the words with a squeeze of Paige’s hand. “We’re going to have a lot more of them from now on.”
“Yes. We will.” His mother sniffed and used the napkin to dry her eyes, her gaze finally bright and alive.
Paige’s heart bloomed with love. She was so proud of Evan. He’d banished his shadows, and in doing so, he’d banished his mother’s too.
“I’ve been thinking,” Evan said, looking at his mother, his arm anchoring Paige to him. “Modesto is too far out. Would you consider a job closer to the Bay Area?”
“You want me closer?” She looked like she’d just been given yet another of the greatest gifts in the world.
“I do. Very much. Although, I understand that you feel a great loyalty to your employer’s company since he was such a help to you.”
“You’ve said it’s just not the same since Hugh died,” Kelsey reminded her. “It would be great if you lived closer to Tony and me.”
“My friends would love to meet you,” Evan said gently. “You’d like them all. And I’d be there every step of the way with you, finding you a great job, helping you sell this house, or rent it out, if that’s what you’d like to do.”