Page 98 of When Forever Falls Apart

Eva isn’t convinced, but tags along with her arm tightly wrapped around Aston’s.

The animals are cute, especially the goats that trot around with an air of carefree mischief, utterly oblivious to all the people crowding around them.

Madelina and Billie are enamoured by the curly-tailed piglets, hanging out by their pen and watching them snort while sucking on their mothers’ teats.

Eva stands firmly between Aston and me, her stance defensive as if ready to take on any animal that comes her way.

“So, a goose tried to imprint on you?” I ask, suppressing a grin.

“Yes, it was terrifying! Have you ever been stalked by one? Trust me, they can smell fear from a mile away,” she replies with wide eyes.

“If you say so.” I chuckle lightly, but my amusement is swiftly met with a playful slap on my arm from Eva.

“I think I need ice cream,” she declares, her voice drawn out as she dramatically rolls her eyes.

Aston raises an eyebrow, a smirk dancing on his lips. “Is that your subtle way of asking me to fetch you some?”

She nods eagerly, then quips, “Just remember who’s the one doing the hard work of pushing this baby out of their vagina.”

I wince at her choice of words. “Please, don’t ever say that word in front of me again. It’s disturbing coming from you.”

Eva joins the other girls, leaving Aston and me to meander through the crowd in search of ice cream. As we step out of the pen, we follow the signs to the food trucks. A lot of people are waiting in the queues, but given Eva is pregnant with cravings, the last thing I want is to return empty-handed, angering the beast.

“So, what are your plans for the foreseeable future?” Aston questions, his voice cutting through the chatter of excited festivalgoers. “You know, Everleigh could really use some help with the Manhattan store.”

“I thought she had everything planned?”

“Yes, before the baby…” Aston’s tone shifts, his expression mixed with apprehension. “Look, this is everythingI could ever want, but the timing has thrown us a giant curveball. We’ve had to shuffle around so many things. Everleigh is desperate to settle here when the baby arrives, and it makes sense. Manhattan can be chaotic when you’re trying to find peace and quiet to adjust to a new life.”

I nod slowly, hesitation creeping in. It’s unclear what Aston is asking of me. Just yesterday, I had a conversation with Jacques Dupont, a conversation I chose to keep hidden from Madelina, and now everything feels like a lead weight on my shoulders.

Jacques offered me an opportunity to take on the role with complete creative freedom to design menus tailored for the coveted Saint-Tropez restaurant. It’s a dream come true, especially considering the paycheck is double what I had asked for. The money could be put aside to eventually open my own place, which, if I’m being honest, has always been in the back of my mind.

Jacques made it clear he wants no one else but me, an ego boost I needed after losing myself in this small town where nothing feels gratifying.

“There’s an offer, back in France,” I tell him, but keep the conversation light and free of the essential details. “So, going back is a possibility.”

“And there’s no way to entice you to stay?” Aston cocks his head with a hopeful gaze. “Run the Manhattan store?”

I don’t want to let him or Eva down, but this isn’t the time for an important conversation like this. Not when kids are screaming around me and someone just threw up near the trash cans after getting off the spinning teacups.

“Why don’t we chat about it later?” I suggest, sighing. “So, what else has been happening? How’s business?”

Aston straightens his posture as we wait in line. “Busy, a lot of traveling, which I’m trying to slow down before the baby comes. I don’t like leaving Everleigh, so the quicker wecan move here, the more assured I’ll feel, knowing Madelina and Billie are around. As much as I love my mother, she’s not keen on coming back here.”

“It’s been quite an adjustment, from what Eva tells me. Usually, parents get divorced when kids are young,” I say, thinking out loud. “I haven’t spoken to Mom or Dad for a while. I’m sure they’ll come back to help you guys.”

“Speaking of divorce…” Aston clenches his teeth, the shift in expression noticeable. “Madelina’s father had the nerve to send flowers to me and Eva. Can you believe that?”

“Really? I had no idea,” I reply, surprised at the audacity.

“The arrangement arrived this morning. Eva wants us to make peace, but let’s just say the conversation went south pretty quickly,” he confesses, frustration etched on his face.

“I can imagine. I know Madelina has also had her fair share of trouble with him…” I trail off, mindful not to allude to the fact that we spend that much time together.

“And then he orchestrated that brunch with Myles and Madelina. He always has an ulterior motive,” Aston continues, the anger boiling beneath his calm exterior.

I tilt my head with curiosity. “What brunch?”