Josh and Joey stayed in Cancún till the end of the week. It wasn’t how the girls planned their trip but they’ve been very happy having their boyfriends around. 

On Sunday morning Eve and Josh said goodbye to Lucy and Joey at the airport. 

„Hope to see you in Orlando soon.“ Joey said. 

„Be sure we will visit.“ Josh replied.

Lucy hugged Eve close.

„I’m so happy you and Josh are back together. Can’t wait to plan the wedding with you.“

„So am I. Thank you for everything, sweetheart. I’m grateful to have you.“ 

When Eve and Josh were sitting in the aircraft, he remembered there was something else to clarify.

„Honey?“ He said, while she was engrossed in reading her book. 

She looked at him and smiled, waiting for him to move on. 

„You’ll come back home, right?“ 

She gave him a loving smile. Then she put her iPad out of her bag and scrolled through some files, before she found what she was looking for.

„Here.“ She said and handed him the iPad.

Josh took a look and started smiling happily.

„Is this the guest room?“

„It was the guest room.“

Eve made a 3D room layout and redesigned Josh’s guest room into a nursery. Josh immediately liked her ideas and was touched that she already made the effort planning the baby’s nursery. 

„I love it.“ He said, still smiling. „But how do you know it’s a boy? I know nothing about pregnancy, but isn’t it too early for seeing the gender, yet?“ 

Eve frowned.

„I used yellow and light green. Why you think this is a boy’s room?“

„Because the ribbon you used for my present was blue.“ 

Eve smiled again. She wasn’t sure if he’ve noticed what she was trying to say with the blue ribbon. But obviously he did. 

„You’re right. It’s too early to see the gender. But I can feel that we’re having a boy.“ 

„Really?“

„Really.“

He smiled again and then kissed her lips.

„I want you to pack your stuff as soon as we arrive and move back to our house.“ 

Eve nodded. Josh kissed her again and caressed her cheek softly. 

„Good girl.“ 

Eve arrived at the office on Monday morning. Sarah was already there and smiled at her as she was coming closer. 

„Welcome back, boss!“

Eve stopped in front of Sarah’s desk. 

„I want you to place a vacancy notice online.“ She said.

„For which position?“

„Yours.“

Sarah’s heart dropped.“

„I don’t understand.“ She stammered.

„I want you to be my assistant. But first, we need to find a replacement for the front desk.“ Eve explained. 

Then she gave Sarah a short smile and left the situation to let her process. 

„Eve!“ Sarah shouted to make her stop.

Eve turned around.

„Yes?“

„You’re wearing JC’s ring again.“

„Yes, I do.“ 

„So? The latest rumors aren’t true?“ 

Eve gave her an irritated look.

„Latest rumors?“ 

Sarah didn’t know how to start this. 

„Look. When the pics of Jen and JC appeared, everybody started wondering what happened to you. At the same time people found out, that Jessica was all alone in Montana. Then Justin showed up here. I don’t know who it was, but obviously someone talked about you and him dating each other for lunch. It took a while until the first rumors appeared on social media, but now you’re suspected having an affair with Justin. People believe that’s the reason why Jessica is in Montana and why JC went back to Jen.“

Eve was processing hard. She didn’t expect any of this. After the gossip about Josh and Jen she didn’t check her social media accounts again. 

„Thank you for telling me.“ She said to Sarah.

Being completely lost in thoughts, Eve went into her office and let herself fall at her chair. Mateo entered the room short after, with a fresh cup of coffee in his hand. He stopped in front of his desk, looking at her with puppy eyes. 

„Eve. I’m sorry.“ 

She returned back to reality and stared at him. Then she stood up, went in his direction and hugged him close. 

Mateo’s relief couldn’t be any bigger. He hugged her back tightly, trying not to spill his coffee. Eve released him slowly.

„I’m not mad at you. I never was. The whole situation was just so overwhelming. I didn’t know what to do. That’s why I left you alone. But Josh and I are good again. He came to Cancún and we figured things out.“ 

Mateo’s eyes filled with tears. He pulled her into his arms again and kissed her head. 

„I missed you. And I’m happy for you. And I’m deeply relieved you don’t blame me for what I did.“ 

Eve looked into his face and then kissed his lips heartily. 

„Ya, lucky you that I love you.“ 

„You really need to stop kissing other guys, Eve.“ He teased. 

„I heard you slept with Justin. Looks like you’re the slut in this room.“ She teased back. 

„Unfortunately he fell asleep before I could seduce him.“ Mateo pouted. 

„What a shame.“

„Ya, but I watched him for a while and let my fantasy doing the rest.“

„Dirty bitch.“

„I know.“ Mateo replied with a shady grin. 

„Talking about Justin. There are rumors about me and him on social media. Did you know that?“

„Ya, Sarah told me last Friday. Those people seem not to have an own life. Don’t worry about it.“

„But I’m surprised that Jess didn’t come back from Montana in the meanwhile. Do you know why?“

„No. I didn’t talk to him in the last couple of days.“ 

„I’m worried, Matty. What if they really broke up?“

Mateo sighed. 

„Listen to me, Eve. Their problems has nothing to do with you. They started falling apart long time before you even showed up.“ 

„Still I feel guilty. If this kiss didn’t happen, maybe Jess would have never left.“

„You don’t know that. Now stop blaming yourself for things which are out of your control.“

In the same morning Josh decided starting work late and went to Justin’s house instead. Justin didn’t reply to his messages since he left for Cancún. This was definitely not Justin’s usual behavior. 

Josh entered the property, parked his jeep and went to the front door. He rang the bell two times, but nobody opened up. He expected the housekeeper being at home at least. Something must have been wrong and he started worrying. After ringing the bell another time without any response, Josh grabbed his keys out of his pocket as he was having Justin’s spare key at his bunch. He opened the door, put off his shoes and went inside.

„T? Are you here?“ He shouted and entered the kitchen next. It was a mess. There were several empty boxes and containers from the delivery service at the kitchen island, surrounded by empty bottles of beer and Bourbon.“

„Fuck.“ Josh talked to himself and took a deep breath. 

Then he went upstairs. He heard the telly from distance, knowing the noise came out of the master bedroom. The door was half closed. Josh opened it and stepped inside. 

Justin was lying in bed on his back, being asleep. He was wearing a white muscle shirt and grey sweat shorts with dirty spots on it. His beard was messy, as well as his hair. 

Josh came few steps closer and noticed an ash tray at the bedside table with an unfinished joint right next to it. He sat down next to Justin’s motionless body and shook his shoulder gently.

„Hey, man. Wake up.“

„Justin groaned silently and turned into the other direction.“

„T, please talk to me. I need to know what’s going on.“

„Go away.“ Justin murmured, his eyes being still closed. 

„Where are the kids?“ 

„Jess have them…“

„Are you saying they are in Montana?“ 

„Ya… she picked them up few days ago.“

„Why she did that, T?“

„Because she’s living there now.“

Josh’s stomach dropped. 

„Does it mean… it’s over?“ 

„Yap.“

„Fuck…“

Justin opened his eyes and turned into Josh’s direction. 

„How are things between you and Eve? Did you make things right?“

„I’m not here to talk about Eve.“

„Come on, dude. I need to hear something good for a change. So, are you back together?“

„Yes, we are.“

Justin cracked a smile.

„This is awesome. I’m happy for you.“

Josh felt terribly pity for his friend. Of course Justin made a big mistake. But he didn’t deserve paying such a high price for this.“

„T… I’m sorry.“

„Na… don’t do that. It’s not helping.“ 

„I know but, still. I really think she should have given you a chance to make things right. I wished things came different.“

„Ya, me, too.“

„Look, you can stay with us. You don’t need to go through this by yourself. Let us help.“

Justin frowned. 

„You told your girl keeping herself away from me, remember?“

„I know what I said. But this are special circumstances. I want to be there for you. And I’m pretty sure Eve shares my point of view.“ 

„Don’t worry, I’m good.“

„You’re not good. The house is a mess. What happened to Josy?“

„I paid her a bonus and told her doing some vacation.“ 

„T… I don’t want you being all alone here. Please pack some stuff and come with me.“

„I’m fine, C.“

„You’re not.“

Justin looked at his friend, knowing he wouldn’t let go, no matter what. 

„Did you replace that expensive Bourbon which I drank last time?“

„I did.“

„Okay. You just convinced me.“

Justin raised his body slowly and left the bed. 

„But do me a favor and take a shower first. You stink.“