Josh took another sip.

„Tell me.“ 

„Bronson tackled me from behind. He was completely out of mind. I believe he smelled your scent as I was wearing your sweatshirt.“

„Bronson?“ Josh said surprised. 

„Yes, Bronson. Jen bought an apartment in the neighborhood. How weird is that?“ Eve continued talking.

„Hm, I didn’t know that she moved to Daytona…“ 

„Well, she did. And she says hi.“ 

Josh looked at Eve for few seconds. 

„I’m missing the usual cynical tone when you talk about Jen. Who are you and what did you do to my fiancé?“ He teased. 

„Talking about being your fiancé… she asked, if this was an engagement ring on my finger…“

„Oh boy… so, you told her?“ 

„Yes. But it made me feel miserable, to be honest. I didn’t want to hurt her. But I guess I did…“ 

„Honey, sooner or later she would has find out anyway. There’s no reason for you to feel miserable.“

Eve stared at him for a moment, before she replied. 

„Did you never think about marrying her? I mean, you two have been talking about kids, so… things were serious, right?“

„Things have been serious but still pretty different, comparing to what I have with you.“ Josh explained. 

„What do you mean, hon?“ She asked curiously. 

„It’s hard to explain. Something was always missing. Even at the beginning when everything seemed to be perfect, somehow I knew that it wasn’t. There were certain things about her that made me believe she’s not the one. I tried to ignore that feeling for a really long time but in the end it didn’t work out…“

Eve was more confused than before, not understanding what he was trying to say. 

„But still you’ve been willing adopting a kid with her, Josh…“ 

„Well, this was something I wanted for myself, to be honest. You know the idea was always on my mind. Of course I wasn’t surprised when she disagreed. I knew this was not her thing to do.“

Eve turned suddenly uneasy. She realized this was the moment to share her point of view. 

„Honey…“ She said quietly, not daring looking into his eyes.

„I know, Eve. You don’t need to say it.“ He replied. 

She was surprised about his reaction and looked at him shyly.  

„You know what, Josh?“ 

„I know this is not what you want, either. You wanna focus on your career. And I promised to support you in any kind. So please, don’t worry about it. We will be good. I still want you being my wife and my family. It doesn’t change anything.“ He explained. 

Eve’s eyes immediately filled with tears.

„I’m sorry, Josh. I just can’t see myself as a mom right now. It’s not the right moment…“ She tried to explain. 

He took her hand and squeezed it gently. 

„I know, my love. I don’t want you making wrong decisions just to please me. With you everything feels right. All I want is being with you for the rest of my life. Everything else is optional.“

„Are you really sure this is what you want?“

„Yes, I am. You need to trust me with this. You make me happy in so many ways, Eve. I can’t ask for more.“

Eve wiped away her tears. 

„How do I deserve someone like you? You’re unbelievable, Josh…“ 

After having breakfast, Eve and Josh went back to his parent’s house to say goodbye, before leaving for L.A.

„Do you have some time left for tea?“ Karen asked, when they arrived.

„Sure we have.“ Josh replied. 

Josh and Roy sat down at the sofa in the living room, while Eve helped Karen with the beverages in the kitchen. 

„That ring looks so pretty on you.“ Karen said happily. 

Eve flushed a little. Being Josh’s fiancé was still overwhelming.

„I love that ring. It’s one of a kind, like Josh.“ She answered. 

„I’m so grateful he found you, Eve. Josh was always a very positive person. But since he’s having you in his life, I see this sparkle in his eyes which he lost a very long time ago.“

„What do you mean, Karen?“

„Well, as the band split up, I had the feeling he lost his purpose of life. He never found anything equal to replace the hole in his heart. Until he met you.“ 

Eve was deeply touched hearing this from his mother. 

„You really think that?“

„I do, darling. My son never looked at a woman like he looks at you. You’re his everything. Please never forget that.“

Josh was chatting with his dad at the same time, while relaxing at the sofa.

„Thank you for the party, dad. It was awesome seeing the fam all at once.“ 

Roy chuckled. 

„Honestly, we didn’t plan such a big party. But as the news about your engagement spread out like a wildfire within the family, everybody got terribly exited. And then your mom made the mistake telling her brother you’re visiting to celebrate. Few hours later we lost control about the guest list.“ 

Josh laughed out loud. 

„However, it was great.“

„Ya, it was. So, did you talk about a wedding date, yet?“

„Not really. But I like the idea celebrating on New Year’s Eve. It’s our anniversary.“

Roy frowned. 

„How comes that? You’ve traveled back home that night, after spending Christmas with us.“

Josh just remembered that his parent’s didn’t know the whole story.

„Well, yes. And as I arrived in L.A. I went to my favorite bar for a drink and that’s when we met…“

„Oh, really? Why you let us believe she was your interior designer?“

„Because she was. It was a crazy coincident that we met again just the next day.“

Roy gave his son a shady look.

„So, your story started in bed, hm…?“

„It did. But don’t tell mom. You know she doesn’t like those kind of stories…“

„Don’t worry, son. Your dirty secret is safe.“ 

Eve and Josh returned back home on Sunday afternoon. Josh parked the car in front of the garage and put their suitcase out of the trunk. Eve opened the front door and they went inside. She noticed white Jordans standing next to the door and wondered when Josh have bought those, as she never saw him wearing them. 

Josh let the suitcase in the hallway and went into the kitchen to start the coffee maker. He noticed the coffee maker was already switched on. A dirty cup was standing right next to it.

Then he turned around, as he heard the TV being switched on as well. Slowly he went into the living room. 

„Babe? Is everything okay?“ Eve asked, seeing the irritated look in his face fro distance.

As he didn’t react, she followed him into the living room. 

„What.The.Hell?“ Josh suddenly said, standing in front of the sofa. 

Justin was lying there, being asleep and wearing one of his white shirts and his favorite grey sweat shorts. 

Eve was also staring at Justin, not understanding what this was about. There was an almost empty bottle of Bourbon standing at the coffee table. It was Josh’s favorite brand. An empty pizza box was lying next to the bottle. 

„Do you think what I think?“ Eve asked carefully.

„I do. This is not good…“ Josh replied. 

„Should we wake him up?“

„No. Maybe he’s still drunk.“

Few hours later Justin opened his eyes slowly and groaned. His head was still aching after drinking Bourbon the whole night. He noticed a blanket above his body and wondered, where it came from. Slowly he raised his himself. The TV was switched off and the Bourbon was gone, as well as the pizza box.

He turned his head to the left and saw Eve and Josh sitting at the dining table, enjoying their dinner. Both looked at him, waiting for some explanation. 

„Hi.“ He said with raspy voice.

„Hi.“ Both replied. 

„I’m hungry.“ 

„I expected that.“ Eve said.

Justin stood up slowly and stretched himself. Then he went into the dining area and sat down next to Eve, where she placed a plate for him. 

„Lasagne. Very good.“ He said and put a piece at his plate. 

Eve and Josh still looked at him. 

„Do you live here now?“ Josh finally asked.

„If you don’t mind.“ Justin replied with full mouth.

„You know I don’t. But why?“ 

„Jess and I had a little argument…“

„About what?“

„About doing life together in general.“

Eve’s heart accelerated. She wasn’t surprised this was about Jess. But things sounded more concerning than she expected. 

„Since when are you here?“ She asked. 

„Yesterday night. We’ve had Lance and Michael at our place for dinner. When they left we started fighting about a certain topic and finished with the result, that we don’t know if things make sense anymore. I was highly pissed off and left the house. But as I couldn’t drive anywhere after having few drinks I just came here, let myself in and continued drinking.“ 

„Let me guess. From all bottles in my mini bar it had to be the most expensive one.“

„Yes.“

„Does Jess know where you are?“ Eve wanted to know.

„Where should I go without a car, hm?“ 

„There a taxis. And Uber.“ Josh replied. 

„I was so mad that I forgot taking my wallet with me. And my phone.“ 

„Then the next burning question is, how you paid for the pizza.“

„You know that I know where to look for money in that house…“ 

Josh raised an eyebrow. Then he sighed.

„Stay as long as you want. But I deeply recommend clarifying things with your wife.“

„There’s nothing to clarify, bro. She said she’ll go to Montana for a while to clear her mind. And then we need to make a final decision…“

„Is she taking the boys?“

„She’s not.“ 

„Oh. That’s not what I expected.“

„She said, she needs time for herself.“

Eve was listening to their conversation and was processing hard. 

„Did she say when?“ 

„Next weekend. She still has some stuff to do on the spot before she can leave…“

„How do you feel, Justin?“ Eve asked next. 

„It’s not like I’m surprised. I guess this was just a matter of time.“

No one replied. 

Eve stood up in the next moment, looking at him. 

„I want to hug you.“ She said calmly. 

Justin stood up as well. Eve put her arms around his chest and hugged him tight. He responded. 

„We will take care for you.“ She said and kissed his cheek gently. 

He cracked a smile, before releasing her. Josh was watching the scene. Then he stood up as well and hugged his best friend. 

„I know this sucks, Man. I’m sorry.“ 

„Ya… it does.“ Justin answered.