Eve went to bed early the same night. She barely ate anything and couldn’t focus on the series Justin and her started watching after dinner. She was thinking over and over again about the fact, that no one believed in Josh’s recovery anymore. Even Justin lost his hope. But letting Josh go was still something completely unimaginable for Eve. How could she ever forgive herself for doing that?
When Eve was asleep, Justin took a beer out of the fridge and returned to the sofa. Then he started a video call with Lance.
„It’s time.“ He said, when Lance picked up.
„It’s time for what?“ Lance asked irritated.
„To help her out of this tragedy.“
„You’re talking in riddles, dude.“
„I want her.“
„Old news. What the hell are you trying to say?“
„I’ll break my promise which I gave to you and C.“
„Good for you. Do you have a plan?“
„No. I guess I could need some help…“
Lance started grinning shady.
„You know what? I have an idea…“
It was Friday night. Eve just returned from the hospital and brought Jake into bed. She wondered were Justin was, as he usually finished his work earlier on Fridays. When she dressed into some comfortable clothes and returned downstairs, the front door just opened up.
„Here you are.“ Eve said, seeing Justin entering the house.
He smiled at her, as she was coming closer. Then she gave him a peck on his cheek, as she always did.
„Hey listen, I won’t be here for dinner.“ He started talking.
Eve raised her eyebrows. She was truly surprised. He didn’t miss a single dinner with her since he moved in. In the same moment she realized, it was beyond normal that he was spending all his evenings at home with her.
„Do you have plans?“ She asked.
Justin turned a little uneasy.
„Ehm, ya. I met my team this morning in the office. And then I run into an old friend.“ He started explaining.
„Which friend?“
„Her name is Denise. I met her at the set of one of my movies.“
Eve became very curious.
„Is she an old flame?“
Justin chuckled.
„Not exactly.“
Eve raised her eyebrows.
„Not exactly?“
„I wasn’t single at that time, you know.“
„Oh. I see. But… you are now…“
„Ya… I am.“ Justin answered.
Eve needed a moment to reply. Suddenly she felt completely uncomfortable.
„Okay. So, I’ll just order a pizza or something.“
Then she turned around and went into the kitchen.
„Eve… why is this bothering you? He’s not yours…“ She was thinking.
Justin followed her. She grabbed a menu out of one drawer. While staring at it, she was trying to process Justin’s date.“
„Why you need the menu?“ He asked, crossing his arms.
„Hm?“
„You eat always the same. Without any exceptions.“
„But today I feel like trying something new.“ She lied.
„Oh really?“
„Yes, really.“
Justin noticed she was tensed and needed to focus not to smile.
„So… you’re okay when I go out tonight?“
Eve’s heart dropped. She tried very hard to stay cool.
„Of course I am. Why shouldn’t I?“ She asked back.
„Dunno. I just want to make sure, you’re not disappointed, that I won’t be around tonight.“
„That’s ridiculous. If you want to go out with your friend, then go out. Please don’t believe I expect you being with me at home every day. You have an own life and I’m totally fine with that.“ She lied.
Justin looked at her for a moment. She was pretty convincing. Maybe a little too convincing.“
„Okay, so… I need to have shower and change my clothes.“
Eve cracked a smile and nodded. Then he disappeared upstairs.
„Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck…!“ Eve was thinking.
Half hour later, Justin appeared in the kitchen again. Eve was sitting at the kitchen island, still holding the menu in her hand. She was lost in thoughts, trying to understand why Justin’s date was giving her such a hard time.
„Are you still thinking about ordering something new?“ He teased.
She looked at him and her heart dropped once again.
„Oh no… oh no…“
Justin shaved his face. He was dressed completely in black, wearing jeans and leather shoes, a slim button down shirt and a sexy leather jacket. Eve couldn’t remember when she saw him dressed up for the last time. He was looking brutally handsome.
„Stop staring, you needy idiot!“ Eve was blaming herself in her thoughts.
Justin decided bringing her out of her comfort zone a little more.
„You like what you see?“ He asked sassy.
Eve felt caught and immediately flushed.
„Ehm… sure… you look nice… Denise will be thrilled…“
„You think she will?“
Eve nodded. He gave her a sexy smile.
And you’re really okay when I go?“
„Yes, I’m good. Enjoy yourself.“ She lied again.
„Okay, so… see you later.“
Then he turned around and left the house. Eve looked into the hall and made sure he was gone. Then she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
„FUCK!!!“
Mateo was at a birthday party when his phone suddenly rang. It was Eve. He wondered why she was calling him that late and looked for a quiet place to talk.
„Did something happen?“ He asked, being worried.
„Yap…“ Eve slurred.
Mateo frowned.
„Are you drunk?“
„Tipsy.“
„Why you call me, being tipsy? You know I’m at a birthday party.“
„Because I’m losing my shit…“
Mateo sighed.
„Okay. Tell me what happened.“
Eve took a deep breath before answering.
„Justin went on a date with an old flame…“
„Right now?“
„Yes. Right now.“
„And… is that a problem?“
„Yap…“
„Why is that a problem, Eve?“ He asked, already knowing the answer.
„Because I don’t like, that he is seeing another woman.“
„Damn it, Eve! You lied to me!“
„What?!“
„After what happened with Sarah, I asked you, if you have feelings for him. And you lied into my face, pretending this wasn’t the case!“
„Matty, stop blaming me! I am very obviously very confused right now!“
„You are not confused! You are in love with him!“
Eve was shocked. Could it really be true? Was she in love with Justin without noticing it?“
„What do I do now, Matty? The imagination him spending the night with her is driving me crazy.“
„Then why you let him go, for god’s sake?!“
„Because he’s a free man! He can do whatever he wants!“
„Does it mean, he didn’t ask you, if you were okay with that?“
„He did. But I lied and said I was okay.“
„Great job, you moron!“
„Calling me names is not helping!“
„Then write him and say that you changed your mind.“
„What?!“
„Write him how you really feel. This is the only option you have, Eve.“
„I can’t do that, Matty. I just can’t…“
„Okay, Nevermind. But don’t you dare whining, when he doesn’t come back home tonight!“
Mateo hung up. Eve was sitting at the sofa, with a glass white wine in her hand. She put the glass at the coffee table, grabbed a pillow and screamed inside of it.
„This was a bad idea. It’s not working. Why on earth did I listen to you?“ Justin blamed Lance.
Both were sitting in the backyard in Lance and Michael’s outdoor lounge. Michael just brought some fruit cocktails and sat down next to his husband.
„The miserable look in your face is telling me, she still didn’t call.“ Michael teased.
Justin grabbed his virgin cocktail and took a big sip.
„Nope.“
„It was a stupid idea.“ Michael blamed Lance, as well.
Lance rolled his eyes.
„Just give her more time.“
„For what?“ Justin asked annoyed.
„To realize, that she shouldn’t let you go!“
„Come on, hon. We are too old for this. Trying to make your crush jealous, to find out if she’s loving you back? This is really low…“ Michael continued blaming.
Justin grabbed his face.
„It is unbelievably low… why on earth I did that…?“
„Could you please stop freaking out? It’s too late for regrets!“ Lance replied.
„I lied to her. God… I’m worse than a stupid teenager…“
Michael laughed.
„Look what happened to you, Timberlake…“
„Stop making things worse!“ Lance warned his husband.
„Okay, let me have a real drink at least. I won’t survive this night without alcohol.“
In the next second Justin received a text message. Everybody suddenly turned quiet and stared at each other.
„What the hell are you waiting for??? Check your phone!!!“ Michael squeaked.
Hectically Justin unlocked his cell.
Then his eyes and his mouth went wide open.
„I lied. I’m not good.“ [M]
„T??? Talk to me!!!“ Lance said impatiently.
Justin gave him his phone, processing hard.
„Oh my god… oh my god… OH.MY.GOD!!! IT WORKED!!!“ Lance started cheering.
„NO FUCKING WAY!“ Michael replied, taking the phone out of his hand and reading the message.
„HOLY FUCK! YOUR STUPID PLAN REALLY WORKED!“
