The same evening Eve went to the small café at the beach, with Jake in his stroller. She was in deep thoughts, processing what she learned about herself today. Miranda explained, that the next step was finding a way to close the chapter of Tom for good. Eve had no idea how she should ever stop believing that she was responsible for the accident. The other driver might caused the crash. But drinking wine and driving fast was her fault. This was a fact. 

„Hey, Eve!“ Jen shouted from distance, sitting at a table outside and waving to get her attention. 

Eve looked at Jen and mentally rolled her eyes. 

Bronson was trying to escape. Jen let him go and he rushed into Eve’s direction.

„Hi, buddy. Good to see you again.“ Eve said, kneeling in front of him and stroking his wrinkled head. 

When Bronson calmed down, Eve went with him to Jen’s table. 

„You wanna sit with me?“ Jen suggested.

„What is going on with her?“ Eve asked herself.

She thought about Jen’s suggestion for a moment, before she agreed. Jen looked into the stroller, smiling at Jake. 

„Can I put him outside?“ She asked.

Eve couldn’t be more surprised about Jen’s behavior. 

„Sure.“ She answered, while sitting down opposite of her.

Jen took Jake on her lap. He smiled at her and started babbling. 

„He’s a carbon copy of you.“ Jen said, smiling back at the baby. 

Eve forced a smile. She always wondered why Jake didn’t have Josh’s dominant dark hair at least. But things made more sense now.

The waitress appeared and brought Eve back to reality. 

„I try the Chai Latte.“ Eve said.

Jen smiled again, putting Jake back into his stroller. 

„So? You’re still here, hm? Wanna talk about it?“ She asked, as it was the most natural thing to do. 

Eve just stared at her, not knowing how to react. 

„You don’t have to. But you look like you need someone to talk.“ Jen added. 

„Actually, I did a lot of talking today.“

„Oh really?“

„I’m doing therapy.“

„Good for you. Any local therapist? I found a very good one when I moved here.“

„You’re doing therapy?“ Eve asked surprised.

„Going back to Florida and starting all over again was tough. But the main issue is dealing with the fact that I never became a mom.“ 

„Is she really talking to you about her shit? What is happening?“ Eve asked herself. 

„I don’t know what to say, Jen. I feel a little… out of place…“ 

She understood her discomfort. Eve must believe that she didn’t like her.

„Look.“ Jen started explaining. „I’m not hating your or something. I’m aware of, that you’re not the reason why Jay and I broke up. Still, it made me feel miserable that he found new love that fast. But the thing is, I never was jealous because of you. I was jealous that he was happy again and I wasn’t.

„Why you came to the hospital and kissed him?“ Eve wanted to know. 

„I kind of panicked.“

„Panicked?“

„When Jay wrote me, I just broke up with someone. We dated for a while and I truly started believing, that I finally found my perfect match. But then, he cheated. I was devastated, having heavy self-doubts. I thought I would never be happy again.“

„So, you believed going back to Josh was your best option?“ 

„Yes. I worked up into the idea, that it wasn’t a coincident that he contacted me, while I was suffering. I thought this must be a sign.“ 

„And your desire for him suddenly came back?“

„I believed it did, because the attention he was giving me made me feel good. Then he explained that he made a mistake and stopped writing. That’s when I panicked and came to L.A.“ 

Eve looked at Jen for a moment. She understood her situation and even felt sorry her. But Jen had no idea which trouble she’ve caused. 

„Josh and I aren’t together.“ Eve confessed.

Jen wasn’t surprised, thinking about Eve’s missing rings. 

„Why not?“ 

„His amnesia was brutal. He needed time to find his way back to life. But I believed, all he wanted was you. Then everything fell apart.“

„But you said his memory came back.“

„It did. But things happened in between, which we can’t ignore.“

„Like what?“ 

„I screwed things up.“

Jen realized Eve wouldn’t give her any further details. 

„Listen. He gave you his name. This is more meaningful you might believe.“

„What I you trying to say?“ 

„I’m trying to say, that you’re the love of his life. And I’m convinced there’s nothing in this world you could do to change his feelings for you.“ 

Next morning Eve was having her next session with Dr. Brown. Mainly they talked about Tom’s accident, until Eve finally started crying.

„It’s not that simple, Miranda. I can’t pretend that the accident wasn’t my fault. It’s not working.“ 

„That’s not what I ask you to do, Eve.“

„Then explain what you want because I don’t understand.“ 

„This is not about pretending you didn’t make anything wrong. This is about forgiving yourself for what happened. Can you see the difference?“ 

Eve took a deep breath.

„How? How do I forgive myself?“ 

„The same way your forgave your mother. She made big mistakes, leaving you alone with your pain and your grief when you needed her the most. But you managed to forgive her anyway. This is what I’m talking about. Forgiving for things which seems to be unforgivable.“

„I wished it was that simple.“

„It is that simple, when you really want it.“ 

„So, I have to work on really wanting it, first?“

„Exactly.

Eve closed her eyes and sighed. 

„I still don’t know how but… it makes sense…“ 

Miranda made a short break.

„I don’t expect miracles, Eve. Therapy needs time.“

„Ya… I know…“

There was another pause before Miranda continued talking. 

„I suggest we finish for today. Tomorrow, same time?“ 

„Oh, ehm… actually, I would like to see you in person for our next session.“ Eve answered. 

Miranda raised her eyebrows. 

„Are you saying you’re going back home?“ 

Eve nodded.

„My flight goes in few hours.“ 

„Good for you. Then I’ll see you tomorrow in my practice.“ 

„I’m back home.“ [Cupcake/M]

„Awesome! Dinner tonight?“ [Josh/C]

„Dinner sounds lovely. I’m already on my way. [007/T]

„Really??? [Cupcake/M]

„We rescheduled few things. That’s why we finished earlier. [007/T]

„So, table for three it is… yay…“ [Josh/C]

„Stop that cynical tone. We both know you missed me.“ [007/T]

„Let’s meet at my place. I’ll make dinner.“ [Cupcake/M]

„What about dessert?“ [Josh/C]

„Are you talking about bringing cheesecake or condoms? [007/T]

„I’ll bring both.“ [Josh/C]

Eve stared at her phone display in pure disbelief. Normally she would freak out by the imagination of having another threesome. But this was not what she was having on her mind, as she asked them to come to her place. All she wanted was talking to them about Jake.

The doorbell rang. Eve just put the potatoes on the stove. She was terribly excited. Her heart felt like jumping out of her chest any second. 

She chose a denim mini dress for tonight and put her hair together into a casual updo. She wore contact lenses and some delicate make-up, looking a little sexy, but not overdressed for a dinner at home.

She didn’t expect Josh and Justin appearing at the same time, as she opened the front door.

Josh was wearing light blue jeans and and a white polo shirt with white sneakers. His face was completely shaved and as usual he wore his black framed glasses, which she loved so much. 

Justin’s jeans were dark blue. He chose a slim black long-sleeve and black leather shoes, looking a little more dressed up than Josh. His hair was still short. He was having a three-day beard, knowing that Eve was a sucker for it.

„Hi.“ She said, nervously biting her lower lip. 

Josh and Justin smiled sexy, exactly knowing what they were doing to her. 

„Hey babe.“ Justin said first and came closer. „I missed you like hell.“ 

Then he kissed her lips gently. She closed her eyes and inhaled his scent. 

„I missed you, too.“ 

Justin went inside and made room for Josh. He came closer, still smiling at her. Gently he cupped her face with one hand and placed a careful kiss on her right cheek.“ 

„I’m happy you’re back.“ He said quietly. 

„I’m happy to see you.“ She replied shyly. 

Josh was carrying a paper bag.

„The cheesecake.“ He said, giving her a wink. 

Eve flushed a little and bit her lower lip again. 

Both men put off their shoes and entered the kitchen. Justin brought some wine and gave her the bottle.

„Rosé?“ She asked, giving him a smile.

„It’s a compromise.“ Justin explained. 

Josh sat down at the kitchen island. Justin joined him. Eve opened the wine and filled three glasses. 

„How is Jake doing?“ Josh wanted to know.

„He’s good. Unfortunately I couldn’t keep him awake to let you say hi to him. The flight was too exhausting.“ Eve explained, looking at Josh and then at Justin.

„Don’t worry about it.“ Josh answered. 

Justin missed Jake a lot, but somehow he felt like it was inappropriate to speak it out loud. 

„What are you cooking?“ He asked instead. 

„Beef-rolls with smashed potatoes and buttered vegetables.“