Chapter 15

“I can say it all I want, I don’t care, but damn you, they’re just words. They don’t change how I really feel. Damn him for doing this to you.”

He sighed again. Why had he answered the phone? “Mere,” he said as she cried into his ear. How could he possibly explain it to her? “Don’t, please. He’s not…he’s changed, believe me. He says he doesn’t want to hurt me again—”

“And you believe him?” she asked, incredulous. “Anything he says, you just eat up like candy. Is it thatgood, honey? Is he really worth all you give him credit for?”

“You just don’t know.” Evan stood in the doorway and stared into the living room at his friend. Charlie felt his gaze and turned, already smiling. Evan smiled back. Covering the mouthpiece with one hand, he said, “It’s Meredith. She says Kasey can’t stop talking about you.”

“I love that baby girl,” Charlie declared. “She’s adorable. In a few more years, you’re going to have your hands full keeping the boys away from her. What about the party?”