Ever since coming back to Wilmington, Amyâs days have been filled with run-ins with people she used to know a lifetime ago. Each of those encounters had a strong dose of awkwardness injected into it, reminding the two people that although they had known each other before, they were strangers now. Each of those encounters left Amy with a bitter aftertaste and a strong sense of guilt in her gut: it was her fault, she had cut the cords and left without looking back. But running into Everett had an altogether different aura around it: perhaps the guilt was there somewhere, hiding under the excitement of the reunion, but it was completely lacking in awkwardness. It was as if she had pressed pause on their relationship when she left, and now that she had landed back on that very same couch next to him, she hit resume and found that not everything had to change in time. Surely, the worry lines on his forehead went deeper than before, and there might have even been a few gray hairs sprinkled among the dark brown, but the feeling was unchanged. Her heart still fluttered with lightness she hadnât felt since Brooks, and all the stress just washed away from her shoulders, leaving her happy to just be in the moment, with him. In the dark chambers of her dead heart, something came to life when she sat next to him: hope.
âNo suing will be necessary,â she assured him, noticing how hoarse his voice had gotten, and she knew the cause of it. As much as the feeling was the same, so were some things about the man she could have given her heart to a long time ago. âAre you so stuck in your work that you forgot to talk? Have you even had anything to eat?â Her eyes glistened, remembering just how many times he got so caught up in himself and what he was doing, that he forgot to take care of his most basic needs. It was one of the perks of having Amy glued to his side that summer: she made sure that he was fed, and in return he provided the company she needed to swallow down the food she needed for sustenance. The smile on his lips hadnât changed, either, though she thought she saw a hint of sadness in its corners, as if the time apart had left its mark after all. Or it could have been the words that saddened him now, knowing that she hadnât stuck around before? Whatever it was, Amy had a smile in place to reassure him, her head moving in a decisive nod. âPlease do,â she mumbled, her words almost a whisper as he gave her the quick notes on what sheâd missed, eliciting a chuckle and drawing out a smile on her face as he joked and explained the years that had passed. âGod, I missed your humor. No one makes jokes like that, and youâve always known how to make me laugh,â she said, unable to tear her gaze away from exploring the familiar features of his face. All the regret she once felt, all the wondering if sheâd see him again, it was all finally quenched, and something akin to relief washed over her like a tidal wave. Peace. âI want to see all of your work. And I want to see you find your muse again because there has to be so much more left in you,â she had never been more certain of anything in her life, not since Brooksâ death. âThank you. I have to say, the years look good on you, Ev. Even better than youth did, somehow.â
            A time ago perhaps they would have been together. Now she returned as an old friend. One who heâd previously entrusted with some of his most favorite memories. She had left on a whim, but those memories she had failed to destruct. Apart of him thanked her for that. Itâs not as though she made assure that he felt hatred in his heart upon her dispersal. She left quietly. It hurt just the same, but there was never an ounce of resentment. Upon seeing her, he realized he was simply happy to be in her presence again. It had been too long, and there were too many things heâd had left to tell her. They had a lot to catch up on naturally, and for once he didnât mind taking the time. It was often he preferred to be at home, cooped up in his studio working on another masterpiece. Social interactions were often foreign to him. Sure, when he was home with his family he was a lively man, one who held a lot of sarcasm and wit between his teeth. Sorrow in his eyes. Everett had a past. He had a history. He had many sides to himself that often went cloaked in the shadows. And Amy Taylor knew all of them. In such a short time theyâd mapped eachother out on the back of their hands. And while time had surely passed, the mutual feeling between them hadnât. They cared for one another. Truly. Deeply. Secretly. But also not so secret. They were friendsâat best. Great friends. And no amount of distance could ever alter that notion in his heart. One that stood for her, and her alone.
âWell good,âin all my years Iâve failed to have to attend court for anything but jury duty. Iâd like to keep things that way,â Everett shrugged into a laugh, hands still clasped before himself. At her question his laughter fell into a hum, one of mere thought. Had he eaten? Heâd certainly had a bountiful of coffee...but had he eaten. Furrowing his brow, he shook his head. âWell, no, actually, I donât believe I did,â Flushing with partial embarrassment he lifted a hand. âI guess you see that things really havenât changed in your absence. As always you have impeccable timing. Tell me, did you sense my malnourishment?â Amy had always had a way of seeing right through his exterior. Sheâd be one to call him out on his lack of taking care of himself with a single look. Surely she could see that the artist was stressedâand in need of more than just one thing. Some food, a shower, and some rest just might do him some good. Not that he didnât look well groomed, but the man was known to take multiple showers a day. Amy knew that as well. She knew a lot of things. And so if she told him to hold her to staying, he assumed that meant this time she would. Perhaps that was foolish of him, but he was thinking on his heart, and not so much his mind. So with a nod in her direction he offered another smile, one that insisted he would. âAlright, if youâre betting on it,â Everett scooped her hand back up into her own as her laughter fell over them, and he shortly couldnât help but join her. âLetâs just say I enjoy making you laugh. You have a tendency to bring out the stand up comedian in me.â Rolling his eyes, he glanced over to his work that sat on the table before them. âWell...whatâs your day lookinâ like Taylor? Do you have some time in for an tour?â As his eyes met hers he couldnât help but glance over her in a moment of pure adoration, before lifting a brow.Â