The Dissolution of Unrequited (The Science of Unrequited Book 4)

by Len Webster

  Alex rolled her eyes. “No, seriously, Uncle Rob. I’m just jet-lagged. I swear I’m interested. I find rowing fascinating from a scientific standpoint.” Feeling her phone vibrate, she pulled it from the back pocket of her jeans. She took in Landon’s name and then lowered her phone so her father wouldn’t see. “I’m sorry, I have to take this.”

  “Sure thing,” her father said as Uncle Rob nodded at her. She slipped out of the dining room and made her way into the hallway. Alex had texted him almost an hour ago.

  Landon: Hey. I’m sorry, I was at a PR event. Can I call you?

  Alex: It’s more of a face-to-face conversation.

  Landon: I’ll be in NY for a meeting soon. I can come to Boston then.

  Alex: Okay, great. I’ll see you then.

  “Hey,” Evan said, causing Alex to lock her phone. She plastered a fake smile on her lips and gazed up at him. “You all right?”

  She nodded. “Yeah, I’m okay.”

  Evan frowned. “You’re tired. Come on, I’ll bring your suitcase to your room, and you can nap. I’ll let your parents know. I think you’ve survived a lot longer than most of them expected.”

  The teasing in his voice was so familiar, and she missed it. She couldn’t believe she’d gone so long without hearing it. “Sure. That would be great. Thanks, Evan.”

  “No worries, AJ,” he said before she climbed the stairs, and Evan followed, lugging her suitcase along with him.

  When they reached her bedroom, she pushed the door open and stepped inside for the first time in two months. She smiled at the little welcome home sign on her bed and the bright glittery balloon tied to her bedpost. She hadn’t realized how much she missed her bedroom until just now. Alex made her way to her bed, pressing her palm on the comforter before sitting on it, and then she looked up at Evan. He wheeled her suitcase to the foot of the bed, laid it flat, and then sat on the mattress with her. It’d been a long time since they were both in her childhood room together.

  Memories of them caused her tears to threaten. To show him the truth. But she quickly blinked them away, not wanting to tarnish today, his happiness, or make him regret his decisions.

  “So you’re home,” Evan said in a low voice, sounding curious.

  She craned her neck to find him smiling at her. “I’m home.”

  “And what are Alexandra Louise Parker’s big plans?”

  Alex smiled at the grin on his face as she pushed off the bed. She went to her suitcase, bent down, and entered her lock’s combination. Unzipping it, she opened the suitcase and glanced down, noticing the pregnancy books she was supposed to have packed in her carry-on. Alex reached over and covered the books with her sweaters, feeling guilty for keeping her pregnancy from her best friend. But Evan couldn’t know—no one could. Not just yet. Alex let the suitcase’s lid rest against her bed so she could look for the envelope. Once she grasped it, Alex got up and returned to her spot next to Evan. She inhaled a deep breath before she handed it to him.

  She watched as Evan glanced down, his furrowed brows eased as his thumb brushed against the MIT logo. He peeked at her for a single moment before he flipped the envelope over, opened it, and pulled out the letter. His eyes scanned it, and then he lifted his chin, blinking at her as a slow smile crossed his lips.

  “You did it,” he breathed in awe as he set the admission letter down next to him.

  “Yeah,” she confirmed in a low voice.

  His soft brown eyes caused her heart to clench. Before she was able to say more, Evan wrapped his arms around her, embracing her tightly. She felt it. His pride for her. Alex closed her eyes and listened to his strong heartbeats. For a moment, she allowed her heart to have this. This embrace and intimacy. Because when they parted, that would be the end. Moments later and to her disappointment, Evan broke their hug first and gazed down at her.

  “I’m so proud of you, AJ. You did it! You got into MIT.” His eyes shone with unshed tears.

  Her heart vibrated in her chest, wanting to tell him everything she had hidden from him during the time they had been apart. Instead, she took the cowardice way out and kept quiet. “I have to find my own apartment in Cambridge … or as close to MIT as possible. I’m home, but I don’t think my parents need me in the way with Seb.”

  “Alexandra,” he said in a small voice, causing her fears to drive her heart’s beats into a chaotic mess.

  “Yeah?”

  Evan bit his lip nervously, then revealed, “I sold the house.”

  Her heart dipped, falling out of place for what seemed like the hundredth time when it came to Evan Gilmore.

  No.

  “What?” she whispered as she pulled away, needing space as she wrapped her arms around her stomach, anticipating the very worst.

  Sadness and grief consumed his face. “I got offered a job in LA.”

  “You’re going back to California?”

  Evan let out a sigh. “I’ll help you find an apartment before I move,” he promised.

  Devastated that her best friend would be leaving to move to the other side of the country, Alex nodded to save her voice from projecting her heartbreak. She had only just come back after a year and a half of being in Europe.

  Now he was leaving.

  Evan reached behind her and pressed his palm to the back of her head, bringing her close to him and pressing his lips against her forehead. Her eyelids fluttered closed, memorizing the soft feel of his kiss. When she opened her eyes, he was staring at her as his thumb brushed along her cheek.

  “I’ll let you get some sleep,” he said, then got off her bed.

  Alex faked a smile as she watched him slip out of her bedroom. Once her door clicked closed, she crawled across her bed to pick up her purse her mother had brought up after Evan held Seb. Grasping it firmly in her hand, she pressed her back against the pillows. Taking a deep breath, Alex opened her purse and retrieved what she was looking for before she set her purse back on the bed. Then she flipped the picture over and took in the small dot.

  The most spectacular dot ever photographed.

  It was her baby.

  Alex pressed a palm to her stomach as her thumb brushed against the glossy sonogram. Now that she was home, she’d have to schedule an appointment with her doctor here. She’d have to figure out appointments and birthing classes. Though it was daunting to think about doing it alone, she was ready for what was next.

  A smile tugged at her lips as she decided to forget about her worries and concentrate on the fact that her baby’s father would love him or her no matter what.

  Knowing what his love had been for her … she was sure of it.

  Yawning, Alex rolled onto her back and took in the way the sun filtered through the curtains and brightened her cold room. She smiled at the thought that she had just woken for the very first time in Brookline and not in Zürich. Alex was glad to be home. Her baby meant more than three years in Switzerland. Digging her hand under the pillow, she pulled out the sonogram she had hid there yesterday. After she had taken a short power nap, she showered and joined the rest of the party. Kyle and Angie had stopped by, and even Jordan and Carter. Alex and Evan had attended their wedding the summer before their senior year of college.

  “Good morning, Little Atom,” Alex whispered as she glanced from the picture to her stomach. It was crazy how much she already loved it. She wasn’t sure if it was a girl or a boy, but the pregnancy book she read last night said she wouldn’t know her baby’s gender for at least two more months.

  For now, she’d stick to calling her baby “Little Atom.”

  “Let’s go get some breakfast,” she said before she gently slipped the sonogram back under her pillow and flung the blankets aside. Rubbing her eyes, she walked over to her door and removed her robe from the hook. Once she slipped it on, she tied the sash and opened the door. The mix of voices traveling to the second floo
r of the large house had her smiling. It’d been so long since she’d spent time with her whole family. Her parents had invited so many guests to her welcome home party, so they’d rented a house close by for some of her family who were visiting from Australia. Alex made her way down the stairs and into the kitchen, smiling at Lori and Reese who were already at the table.

  “Morning,” Alex said as she headed over to the table and sat next to Lori. “Hey, Lori, how is your senior year going?”

  Her cousins had grown up since she last saw them, and Alex knew Uncle Alex was more worried about Lori than Reese. His concerns apparently grew when Lori became cheerleading captain and began to date the starting linebacker. According to Uncle Alex, Lori was growing up way too fast for his liking. Though Alex was certain Reese would give her father something to worry about because Reese was just as pretty as Lori. The girls shared the same glimmering brown eyes and sweet smile Alex was sure would have her uncle worrying about boys someday soon.

  “It’s going really well, Alexi,” Lori said as she set down her mug.

  “I bet you’re acing being a senior.”

  Lori’s smile was big and sweet. “I try. Dad is always on my case that I do too much.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m captain, so I have to do a lot.”

  Alex nodded, understanding her cousin. Back in high school, Alex’s friend was captain of their high school cheerleading team, and Jordan was always busy. “How about you, Reese? How is your freshman year going so far?”

  Her youngest cousin squinted at her. “How is it going so far, Alexi? Well, first, Will leaves a legacy I can’t escape, and my sister is a senior. OH! And said sister is also the captain of the cheerleading team. You do the math. I’m surprise you haven’t noticed the big L on my forehead.”

  Lori shook her head. “You’re so dramatic, Reese.”

  Reese grinned. It seemed as if Reese hadn’t lost her humor during Alex’s time in Switzerland. “Exactly what I’m going for. After all, I am in the drama club. I have to be very dramatic.”

  Alex’s mother pressed a kiss on Alex’s forehead before she set a plate of pancakes in front of her. “Good morning, my love. Coffee?”

  The thought of coffee almost made her sick. Thankfully, today seemed to be one of those rare days when morning sickness didn’t cripple her. “Just juice please. Where’s Will?”

  “Already went out for his run,” Lori answered. “Oh, Grandpa James is coming tomorrow, Alexi.”

  She smiled. “That’s great.”

  “Alexi,” Reese said from across the table as Alex picked up her knife and fork.

  “Yeah, Reese?”

  “Why isn’t Nan here—Ow, LORI!”

  Alex felt the vibrations on the table, knowing that Lori had kicked her younger sister into silence. Her father walked into the kitchen, slowly rocking Seb in his arms and interrupting Reese’s question. “Good morning.”

  “Morning, Uncle Noel,” Lori and Reese said in unison.

  “Everyone else still in bed?” her father asked as he sat down next to Alex.

  Alex leaned over and pressed a soft kiss on her brother’s head. He had that clean baby smell she loved. Then her father kissed her cheek when she sat back. “Morning, Dad.”

  “No coffee?” he queried.

  She shook her head. “No coffee. It tastes weird with pancakes. It’s not a combo I like.”

  “Uncle Noel, why isn’t Nan here?” Reese asked once more.

  Her father’s green eyes widened. Alex hated that she’d kept it from her youngest cousin for so long. To give her father a reprieve, she decided to explain it as she turned to face Reese and her curious brown eyes.

  “Reese, the truth is …”

  “Yeah?”

  She inhaled a short breath and felt nausea swirl in her stomach. She let out a groan, hoping it was just nerves rather than morning sickness.

  “Gillian doesn’t like me,” she revealed.

  “She doesn’t?”

  Alex shook her head. “She’s never liked me.”

  “Why?”

  She glanced over at her father and then at Lori. “You know I love science, right? That I went to Zürich to work at the best institute in the world?”

  “I do,” Reese said.

  “Okay. Well, Gillian doesn’t really approve of me and my life choices.”

  Reese’s jaw dropped. “That’s so unfair. I think you’re amazing!”

  That had Alex laughing as she heard a knock on the front door. “It’s okay because I know for a fact she loves you.”

  “I’ll get it,” her mother said as she walked out of the dining room to answer the door.

  “But why can’t she love you?” Reese pressed.

  Alex sighed. “I’m different. Not everybody loves different, Reese. You just gotta find those who love you and accept you as you are, and welcome them in your life.”

  “Alexandra,” her mother said, getting her attention. “You have a visitor.”

  “I do?” she asked as she set her silverware down on the table and got up from her chair.

  Suddenly, Savannah Peters stepped from behind Alex’s mother shouting, “Surprise!”

  Alex quickly went around the table, wrapping her arms around her best friend. Then she pulled back to see the smile on Savannah’s face. It had been almost eight months since Savannah had visited her in Zürich.

  “Welcome home, Alex.” Then she brushed her blond hair behind her ear and waved at Alex’s family sitting at the large table. “Looking good, Noel. Baby Seb suits you.”

  Her father laughed. “Nice to see you, Savannah.”

  “Would you like some breakfast, Savannah? You must be tired,” her mother said.

  Savannah sighed. “Yeah. I left Montpelier at like five a.m. to get here, so breakfast would be great.”

  “How long are you in town for?” Alex asked.

  “Just till tonight. I have work in the morning. My stupid boss only gave me a day. Is that okay?” The guilt on Savannah’s face had Alex laughing.

  “I’m just happy you made it.”

  Savannah squinted at her and then glanced over at Alex’s mother. “Clara, do I have permission to have Alex all day after breakfast?”

  Her mother smiled. “Only if you promise she’ll have a good time.”

  “Oh, most definitely,” Savannah said with a large smile on her face.

  Alex was officially exhausted from shopping. After she and Savannah had breakfast with her family, she left her best friend cradling her little brother and went upstairs to get ready. When she made it into her room, morning sickness conquered her, and Alex threw up her breakfast. She sat by the toilet for some time before she showered and brushed her teeth. After she dressed, she made her way downstairs and told Savannah she was ready to go. Her best friend had eyed her suspiciously before they said goodbye to everyone and got in Alex’s car. Alex drove them into the city and stopped at where she knew were Savannah’s favorite shops from the last time she was in Boston. They had shopped for a few hours before Savannah noticed Alex’s eyelids drooping as jet lag took its toll on her, so she suggested they get something to eat at Della’s.

  “Okay, Alex,” Savannah said as she set her phone down on the table. “We spent hours shopping and talking about me. It’s time we talk about you.”

  Her stomach knotted. There wasn’t much she could keep from Savannah and being pregnant was definitely one of them. If she was going to tell anyone first, it was Savannah.

  “What’s there to say?” Alex said as she picked up the menu and opened it, skimming the options. Deciding on something light to eat, she opted for the salad without cheese since she hadn’t yet researched what cheeses she could eat. Then she gazed up at Savannah and smiled. “I’m back after a year and half of being in Zürich, and I spent hours watching you choose new work outfits.”

&n
bsp; “And you bought none,” Savannah complained. “You’re going to MIT, Alex. You’re gonna be a TA. You need new clothes. You left most of them in Zürich.”

  “I have until September, Sav.”

  Her best friend rolled her eyes. “I thought you’d be more excited about attending MIT.”

  “I am,” she assured as she set down the menu. She might be excited about MIT, but her main concerns weren’t clothes. It was to raise her baby. “I’m just tired.”

  “Hello, ladies. Are you ready to order?” their waitress at Della’s asked. Since her mother’s restaurant was busy and Alex didn’t want to inconvenience anyone, they went to Savannah’s second favorite restaurant in Boston.

  “I’ll have the salmon special,” Savannah said as she handed the menu over.

  “And for you?”

  Alex closed her menu, and said, “Just the garden salad without cheese and dressing on the side, please,” as she gave the waitress her menu.

  “No cheese?” Savannah asked once they were alone.

  Her heartbeat picked up as she took in the worry on her best friend’s face. “No cheese.”

  “Alex.” She sighed. “Something’s up with you. You’ve been acting strange since our video chat when you were in Zürich. What’s with the no cheese and dressing on the side? You normally ask for extra dressing. Are you okay? I’m really worried.”

  Alex swallowed hard, knowing she couldn’t keep it from Savannah any longer. Someone had to know, and at least it wouldn’t be a stranger. It would be her best friend.

  Taking a deep breath, she straightened her spine and balled her fist. Then, in a low voice, she announced, “Sav, I’m pregnant.”

  81 Tl

  thallium

  EVAN

  Two months ago

  Tick.

  Tick.

  Tick.

  The waiting room’s clock seemed to pitch higher with every frustrating second that passed. Evan Gilmore sat in the same uncomfortable chair for what felt like forever. He was told to go home hours ago, but he couldn’t. He had to be here just in case she didn’t make it. Glancing up at the clock, he calculated the time in his head and knew she would have already landed.