Chapter 5: Goodbyes and Decisions

She stepped back half a pace, pressing herself against his chest and abdomen, her heart sinking as she felt his strong, rapid heartbeat and his slightly elevated body temperature—warm and comforting. She closed her eyes, letting herself lean into him.

She leaned into him, drawing comfort from his presence. The tension in her shoulders melted away. The faint scent of his cologne—clean, woodsy—wrapped around her.

...Even if his expression was cold, his passion remained as intense as ever.

She smiled softly, pressing her cheek to his chest. The steady thump of his heart was all the reassurance she needed. She let out a shaky breath, feeling the last of her anxiety fade.

She caught the hand Evan had raised, pointing at the new clothes.

She wove her fingers between his, squeezing his hand firmly, grounding herself in the moment.

"And these?"

She gestured at the row of neatly hung new outfits, curiosity bright in her eyes. A Yankees cap sat on the shelf, a reminder of home.

There was a pause before he answered. The man behind her hugged her shoulders, his voice solemn.

He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before speaking.

"Because I knew you’d come back. I was waiting for you." Not just these, but everything she might need.

He squeezed her gently, his words heavy with meaning. "I wanted you to feel at home, no matter when you came back."

He believed his sister would return, so he prepared everything, waiting for her.

He’d kept the closet ready, the apartment tidy, always hoping she’d walk through the door again.

...

A rush of emotions welled up in her chest, bittersweet and overwhelming. By the time it reached her eyes, it turned to mist; after circling her lips a few times, it finally became a simple, "Mm, I’m back."

Her voice was barely audible, thick with tears she refused to let fall. She squeezed his hand, grounding herself in the present.

Lauren leaned against his warm chest, falling silent alongside him.

She let herself be held, savoring the rare feeling of belonging. The world outside faded, leaving only the two of them.

After a while, she suddenly chuckled softly.

The sound was light and musical, breaking the tension in the room. She pressed a hand to her mouth, her eyes crinkling with laughter.

"What are you laughing at?" Evan asked, gentle and soft.

He cocked his head, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He traced lazy circles on her back, his touch soothing.

"Actually, you shouldn’t have told me there were clothes." She gently slipped from his embrace, facing him with a bright smile. "If you hadn’t, I could’ve borrowed your clothes—maybe worn your shirt?"

She grinned mischievously, raising her eyebrows in mock challenge. "I bet your old college sweatshirt would look better on me, anyway."

Evan was stunned for a moment, then a faint smile broke through.

He shook his head, chuckling. "You’re probably right."

After all these years, his face had grown more mature, but when he smiled, it was as if he’d returned to the past—warm and gentle.

For a heartbeat, he looked just like the boy she remembered—open, hopeful, endlessly kind.

Lauren felt her face flush, quickly looked away, and grabbed a few clothes.

She ducked her head, hoping he wouldn’t notice the way her cheeks burned. She clutched a soft, worn flannel shirt and a pair of Levi’s to her chest.

"I’m going now."

She hurried toward the bathroom, clutching her chosen outfit to her chest. The tiles were cool beneath her bare feet.

Evan nodded, his gaze following her until the bathroom door closed, unable to look away. He leaned against the doorframe for a moment, listening to the sound of running water, feeling the ache of missing her even when she was only a few feet away.

Without her in sight, his heartbeat grew restless.

He paced the hallway, unable to settle. Every room felt emptier without her presence. He ran a hand through his hair, the tension in his shoulders refusing to ease.

In truth, he hadn’t been completely honest. Not all of his reasons were as he said.