Second Chance

Chapter 14

“Seriously? I just pour my heart out to you about Dustin and you are trying to fix me up with somebody else?” 

“Oh come on, if anything this Dustin stuff tells you that you need to get out. I'm not asking you to marry the guy, just one date. Plus, you always had a thing for Vincent.” 

I couldn’t help but laugh at her. Kora and I have been best friends since we were ten years old. We were polar opposites in almost everything. She couldn't have kids and, after one failed marriage, decided being married wasn't for her. She has dirty blonde hair like mine, but every month it's a new color. This month it's a light purple mixed in with her blonde. Which oddly enough makes her big brown eyes an even deeper brown. She has always been the one that loved parties and going out and I was the one that was always with her, making sure she made it home safe. But that as a long time ago.

“That was 22 years ago.” 

“One date. He has really taken care of himself.” She said, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Why don’t you go out with him?” 

“Because he isn’t interested in me.” 

“Fine.”

Kora was so excited she started bouncing up and down. 

“We are going shopping in the morning.” 

“How about the afternoon and tonight we open another bottle of wine?” 

“I like the sound of that even better. Now enough of all this talk of men.” 

Two bottles of wine later, we were getting ready for bed when Kennedy walked through the door. 

“What is going on here?” 

“Girl time.” Kora giggled. 

“I see. I thought you were spending time with Dustin.” 

“Yeah that didn’t work out.” 

“What happened?” Kennedy asked, concerned.

“Don’t worry your pretty little head.” I said, kissing her cheek. 

Kora changed the subject and we chatted for a short time till Kennedy’s phone rang with a call from Gavin. She headed to her room and Kora and I headed to bed too.

The following morning, Kora and I nursed a hangover before heading to the mall. 

“Come on. Let me see it.” Kora begged. 

“Fine, but I don’t know.” 

Stepping out, I pulled the bottom of the dress down a little.

“Do you think it’s too short?” 

“Are you kidding? Eve you look amazing!”

The dress did make me feel sexy. It was low cut but gave me the support that I needed. The center was tight but it managed to hide my belly. 

“Do you think it’s too much for a first date? What am I even talking about? Vince hasn’t even called.” 

“I sent him your number last night. He will call. And no, it’s perfect.” 

We spent the rest of the afternoon shopping and we grabbed lunch at our favorite cafe before heading home. I took the time and bought myself new clothes for the first time in years. When I had kids, my focus was on them and making sure they had everything they needed. I also hated buying clothes. Going from a size four, maybe a size six, to a size ten. Clothes never seemed to fit right. But today I was in luck and found multiple outfits that made me happy.

All the work I had to start doing after David died was good for my body. Not once did I need to go back for a large size and the size ten was fighting loosely.

The house was quiet when I got home. Kennedy was going to spend time with Gavin and Kora had to get back home. I looked down at my phone, debating if I should call Dustin or not. But after a few minutes, I decided against it. 

**Dustin **

When Gavin got back to the hotel last night, we told him we needed to head back to Atlantia but he refused to go. After a long conversation, I agreed to leave him and Evan to watch over our flames. 

I didn’t have a chance to talk to Everly but Gavin said he would let her know I had an emergency with one of my companies and would be back soon. Being in different realms leaves us without cell service. 

I left my phone in the house that acts as a barrier to our realm. As a barrier, I mean a way to blend in with the human realm. Hoping when I get a chance to return, she will have responded to my calls. 

I spent most of the day talking to the Fairy Queen. She was ready for war, which for me should always be the last resort. Apparently, this was not the first attack on fairies by demons. Once I convinced her to allow me time to scout the area and do a proper investigation, I headed out with a small army. We made our way to the neutral territory where the attack took place. 

Once we had a clear understanding of what happened, I went to talk to the demons. They were uncooperative at best. As we headed home, I realized it was too late to call Everly and it had been two days since we spoke to each other. 

I was trying to open a portal and found myself having problems opening it. Then, out of nowhere, we were attacked by demons and vampires. They were coming in all directions and we were out numbered by at least four to one. Which was foolish on their part. They did manage to get a few good hits. One managed to slice my forearm and it was deep. Kappi are like werewolves and our bodies will heal themselves and quickly, but this cut was not healing. 

Being injured slowed us down a bit but we were able to take them out. The rest of my men had minor injuries and were already healing. My injury was still bleeding. My second was quick to do a tourniquet. 

"This is a really bad cut." Milo, my second, told me as he applied pressure.

"I will be fine. We just need to get back."

But for some reason nobody could open a portal. We started walking and I found myself struggling to stay awake. I lost more blood than I realized. Finally, as I was about to pass out, my second was able to open a portal. 

Last thing I remember was him grabbing me and pulling me through. 

**Everly**

It’s been 6 days since I ran out of Dustin’s hotel room. After that first night, he didn’t try to call or text, but could I really be surprised? Gavin informed me he had an emergency but couldn't he at least send me a message? I wanted to message him but I wasn't the one that ran from him while making out.

Dustin didn’t call but Vince did and I was currently getting ready for our date. I wasn’t actually excited about the date, but Kora said I needed to just get it out of the way. I needed to start moving on from David and live again. As she said, I was only forty.

Taking one last look in the mirror, I was happy with the results. This little black dress was extremely flattering. My hair was lightly curled and cascading down my back. I took the time to do my makeup and couldn’t help but smile at myself. I just wished it was Dustin coming to pick me up.

“Dang Ma, you look really nice.” Brayden mumbled through his sandwich, which he said was a snack, before the pizza was delivered. 

“Yeah Mom, you look really good,” Kennedy added. 

“I have to agree Ms. Nolan. You look very nice. Where are you off to tonight?” Gavin asked. 

“Please Gavin, it’s just Eve.”

“She has a date with some dude.” Brayden answered for me.