Chapter 25
Danny sat stiffly on the marble bench where he’d first laid eyes on Evan. Trying to remain calm, he rubbed his fingers along the polished edges over and over, as if it were a worry stone. Marie had faithfully delivered the exact wording of Evan’s message: “we need to talk.” The kiss of death for any relationship. And a future without Evan loomed gray and bleak.
But Danny was a survivor. When life destroyed his dreams, he’d always just changed his dreams and moved on. But letting go of his vision of a partner to share his life and watch his back?—that would hurt like hell. Hearing the crunching of gravel as Evan approached, Danny sat up straighter. It was time.
The sun was moving behind the house now, and the garden was in partial shadow. Danny felt a chill. He watched as Evan
