CHAPTER FIVE
NORA
I TOLD MYSELF ALL DAY not to go, but somehow, by the time five o’clock rolled around, I found myself in a cab on my way to Evan’s parents’ house. His mother seemed surprised, yet happy, to see him with someone, and I’m guessing due to how he spends his free time, he doesn’t plan to introduce his parents to anyone anytime soon. I know I don’t owe Evan anything, yet for some reason, I felt the need to repay him for restoring my faith in myself.
Within minutes, I knew his family was…is…perfect. My heart ached, desperate for the same connection in my own life—something, at this point, I doubt I’ll ever have. But everything fell into perspective when I stopped to take in a picture of Evan, a little boy, and a beautiful woman. Thanks to Heather, I learned that Evan isn’t divorced; he’s a grieving widower. He’s surviving his what if, and even over a decade later, he’s yet to figure out how to move on…how to live again. I may not be the greatest example, and I sure as hell don’t know what it’s like to lose the love of my life, but at that moment, my heart stopped aching for myself and what I’m missing in life and I focused on Evan. His wife must have been his one true love, at least, that’s the only reasoning I can come up with why eleven years later, he’s still not ready to move on.
When I arrive home, I immediately sit down and eat the best home-cooked meal I’ve had in years while feeling extremely blessed that I met Evan West. He delivered an experience, a night I’ll never forget, but now, it’s officially time to put Evan where he belongs…in the past.
Four days have passed, and I’ve tried my best not to think about Evan every second of every hour, but that’s an impossible task. By the time Friday night rolls around, I find myself exhausted, both physically and mentally, but the very last thing I expect to find waiting for me when I arrived home is the man in question.
“Hey,” Evan nervously says. “I wasn’t sure what time you normally get home, but I was hoping to catch you.”
Drawing in a breath, I force myself not to react to how quickly my heart is racing. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to tell you that you’re right. I haven’t been living my life. My parents and Aidan have harped on me for years to move on, but it wasn’t until a woman—who’s practically a stranger—noticed the same thing everyone else can see that it really hit home.”
“That’s…good?”
Evan shakes his head and laughs. “The way I see it. I’m going to put one foot in front of the other and see what life has to offer. You’re new to Chicago, and I happen to know this city like the back of my hand, so what do you say?”
My nose scrunches in confusion. “What do I say about what?”
“Let me show you around the city. I’ll get my feet wet again, and you’ll get your very own tour guide out of the deal.”
Our eyes meet, igniting a spark of lust. “I’m not sure…”
“Let’s both make a point to live.” His eyes set with determination as he takes a step closer.
A thousand things bounce around my mind, including the fact that this is a horrible idea, but still I find myself saying, “Okay.”
“Then go change into something comfortable because I’m about to show you why Chicago is known for its pizza.”
EVAN
There was something about the way Nora practically begged me to live my life, seconds before she walked away, never to be seen again, that struck a chord with me.
The day Bethany died, I stopped living—at least for myself. Grief surrendered my control on life. I allowed the fact that it’s my fault she died to consume every second of every day. I’ve been living disconnected from everything and everyone for years, and now, it feels like I’m looking at the world with my eyes wide open. And what better person to explore this new existence with than the only woman who’s pulled even an ounce of real, raw emotions from me in years.
Nora places a slice of deep dish pizza on her plate and turns her nose up. “There’s a place on 125th Street in Harlem that has the best pizza. I used to go there all the time.”
“I’ve never been to New York.” Her eyes widen at my comment.
“Really? New York is…everything,” she says in awe.
“Okay, outside of the obvious, what does New York have that Chicago doesn’t?”
A sudden sadness overshadows her face. “My parents, for starters. New York is…I’ve just always lived there. It’s home.”
“So why did you move?”
“Joe, my ex. He decided I should forgive him, and he’s not one to take no for an answer.”
I unexpectedly ball my hands into fists under the table. “I’m glad you got away from him. No body deserves to have their heart stomped on.”
“Thanks, Evan.” Nora politely cuts a piece of her pizza with a fork then shoves it in her mouth. “Oh, God…this is good.”
“See…you just need to trust me.”
Her eyes widen before she looks down at her plate. “This isn’t anything like New York style pizza. If you ever need a New York City tour guide, then I’m your girl.”
I chuckle, fighting the impulse to reach out and touch her. “That you are…”