Evan left church, inspired by Darnell’s words, but worried about Jared. His behavior of late screamed a need for help, but until Jared recognized it, there wasn’t much anyone could do except pray. He hadn’t given up on the idea of talking to him again about the crash and subsequent guilt, but Jared had made it clear he wasn’t going to open up.

Plus, he and Janie would tell Jared today about their relationship. He hadn’t mentioned his concerns to Janie and had done his best to convince her Jared would be happy for them, but in his gut, he didn’t know. The truth was, instinct told him Jared wouldn’t take the news very well, although he had no specific reasons to think that.

“What are you thinking so hard about?” Janie glanced over at him from the passenger seat.

“Life.”

She gave him a small smile. “That’s a broad subject.”

“Did you enjoy the service?” He changed the subject before she could press further.

“Yes. I loved the song choices and Darnell’s message. Did you?”

“It wasn’t a typical Easter service beyond the music, but I wouldn’t have changed a thing.” He tapped on the console where he’d stored his book. “And I got my signed copy of Winning Losses.”

“And you only pushed half the congregation out of the way to get there first.” Her teasing lilt made him laugh.

“More like one person and that’s only because Adele Lotz pushed me, which caused me to run into Sam Trace.”

“Sure.” She drew out the word in four syllables, and caressed his shoulder. “Thanks for making this Easter Sunday a thousand times better than last year.”

His heart flipped. “You’re welcome. I owe you thanks, too.”

She turned her head and rested her cheek against the headrest. “Isn’t it strange how a year is a blip on our life, yet everything can change in that time?”

“Everything can change in a second. It doesn’t take a year.” When he saw the pensive expression on her face, he regretted his choice of words.

“No, but a series of events can keep the seismic changes coming like aftershocks.”

“Change can be good.” He reached to the passenger side and held her hand. “In our case, awesome.”

His apartment complex appeared in the near distance. He drove in and parked in his assigned spot. The numbered space came in handy when other tenants had parties and people driving in from outside the community. A friend who’d lived in the community had told him before management had implemented the system, tenants couldn’t find any parking on Friday and Saturday nights. Now, conspicuous signs stated clearly that all cars parked in an assigned spot not matching the permit number would be towed. Problem solved.

He removed his signed book from the console and tucked it under his arm. Meeting Janie at the front of his car, he held her hand then walked to his apartment. A group of ten kids carrying Easter baskets ran down the sidewalk, and Evan tugged Janie aside to avoid their path.

“There’s a community egg hunt this afternoon.” He nodded in their direction. “I guess it starts soon.”

“I love watching kids get excited about traditions. It’s one of the things I love most about the holidays.”

The squirrel riding on a corncob from Thanksgiving came to mind. “That runs in your blood.”

“I can’t argue with that.” She shrugged. “Even if I wanted to. There’s a lot to be said for keeping traditions.”

A loud cough interrupted them.

He tore his eyes from Janie and looked toward the sound of the cough to see Jared standing by his door. “Hey, glad you made it. I wasn’t expecting you for another hour.”

“Obviously.” Jared’s stared at Janie and Evan’s joined hands.

Sensing his displeasure, Evan discreetly freed his hand.

Janie gave Jared a hug. “Someone got a tan while away.”

“That’s what happens when you’re out in the hot sun all day.” Jared’s gaze switched warily from Janie to Evan. “What’s going on here?”

The bite of Jared’s initial reaction didn’t bode well for the announcement.

“Let’s go inside and talk.” He pulled his keys from his pants pockets and unlocked the door, pushed it open.

The sweet aroma of a brown sugar ham greeted them. He’d prepared it in his newly purchased slow cooker this morning using a recipe that claimed to be no fail.

Jared dragged a chair from under the table and sat down—another sign of his displeasure. They always sat in the living area, whether eating, hanging out, or doing anything else. The table never got used. Today would be the first time Evan could think of that it was used for eating purposes.

Janie shot him an uneasy glance.

“It will be okay,” he whispered, praying that was the truth.

He pulled out a chair for Janie then sat beside her, across from Jared. He didn’t know any way to tell Jared except directly. “Janie and I are dating.”

“How long’s this been going on?” Jared’s cheek twitched.

“Since March.” Now that the cat was officially out of the bag, he reached for Janie’s hand under the table. Her fingers trembled against his.

“Why am I just now finding out about it?”

“You were gone, and didn’t have a phone.” Janie’s soft response was calmer than the one on the tip of his tongue.

Leaning against the backrest, Jared crossed his arms. “I’ve been home since Thursday.”

“We wanted to tell you together and in person.” Evan followed Janie’s protocol and didn’t snap like he wanted to.

“Does Wyatt know?” Jared clenched his jaw.

Evan hesitated to answer. “Yes.”

“Of course.” A derisive snort came from Jared. “I’m the black sheep of this little group, aren’t I?”

“Not at all.” Janie stretched her free arm across the table and touched Jared’s arm. “The only reason Wyatt knows before you is because you were unreachable. Had you been here, we would have told you right away.”

Jared snickered. “Are you sure about that?”

“Completely.” Janie’s hand shook harder under the table. “Can you be happy for us? Please?”

“No.” After uncrossing an arm, Jared waved a finger back and forth between them. “This—you two—shouldn’t happen. It’s a slap in the face to Mike. How could you do this to your husband?”

Evan lost his patience. He pressed his hands against the table and stood. “That was uncalled for. Apologize to her now.”

“It’s okay.” Janie removed her hand from his and pressed it against his bicep. “He’s speaking out of anger.”

“It’s not okay.” He glared at Jared. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you lately. Drinking, insulting friends, and I’ve heard rumors about you going home with women from bars. You feel guilty, I get that. We’ve all fought it on some level, but that doesn’t give you the right to be a jerk.”

Jared rolled his eyes. “That’s classic, coming from the man dating his best friend’s wife.”

Clenching a fist, he had to consciously will himself not to punch Jared. He hadn’t been in a fistfight since junior high, and he didn’t want to break that streak now. “Mike’s gone, and he’s not coming back. Do you think Janie and I haven’t discussed it? There’s nothing wrong with us falling for each other and don’t you ever try to make it sound tawdry again.”

“I can’t deal with this.” Jared ran a hand through his hair before pushing away from the table and standing. “I’m leaving.”

Janie jumped to her feet and rushed to stop him. “Don’t go. It’s Easter.”

“I can’t stay here.” He wiggled his arm away from Janie. “I’m sorry.”

“Please stay. We’ll table this conversation and enjoy a nice meal with friends.” Janie’s voice shook with her pleas.

Shaking his head, Jared turned toward the door after shooting them a look of disappointment, and then left the apartment with his shoulders slumped.

More ticked off at how Jared had treated Janie than his actual disapproval of the relationship, Evan’s hands remained in tight fists, and he inhaled a deep breath to free his lungs from anger. “Let him go, Janie. Misery loves company, but he won’t find it here.”

Tears welled in Janie’s eyes and overflowed. “Why can’t he just be happy for us?”

Her pained expression broke his heart, and he drew her into his arms, cradled her to him. “I don’t know, sweetheart. I don’t know.”