To Be Yours Again novel (Alec and Jenny)
Chapter 922 I Don't Like Being the Only One There

"Evan," Jenny greeted, turning to let Evan come in.

The man went into the living room with several grocery bags in hand. "I didn't know what housewarming gift would be best for you, so I thought I'd make dinner instead."

"I've never tried your cooking before." Jenny smiled, surprised by the gesture. Did everyone she knew know how to cook, save for her?

"You're in for a treat then." Evan then brought the bags to the kitchen.

Jenny followed along. She'd thought to invite Evan out for dinner after a quick chat, so she didn't refuse his gesture to cook now.

Evan started taking out the ingredients and washing them in the sink.

"Why don't you cook later? It's still early." Jenny asked. She'd actually just had lunch. Her original plan was to nap, though she'd long lost her sleepiness due to Janet Hale's situation and partially because of Evan's presence.

"You're right. It isn't even the afternoon yet." Evan set down the washed vegetables and went to the living room. He scanned his surroundings, asking, "What made you want to move out from Walter Castle?" "It's too far from the hospital. Plus, I don't like being the only one there. It's such a big space." Her apartment was far more cozy than Walter Castle, though the latter was constantly filled with housework. Evan nodded in understanding. "What about Mr. Walter? Any news of when he'll be back?"

"He says he's found some leads, though I dunno if he's telling the truth." It'd been a couple days since she'd spoken with her father. She wasn't sure what he was up to either.

Evan sighed worriedly. "It's been so long. There's bound to be difficulty relocating your mother."

"Yeah. Sadly Dad doesn't plan on giving up, so I'm not going to stop him either. He's better off doing this than moping about at home."

Even if Graham's efforts ended with nothing, he'd still replace closure in the fact that he tried.

"That's true. Sometimes hope is what keeps people alive." A person in despair could soon replace himself in the deepest of abysses.

Evan himself made it through most of his years of living with the little bit of hope he had, too

Jenny got him a glass of water. "I hope you don't mind. I don't have much stock in the pantry save for water."

"Ah, no need to bother. I don't mind." At least, not with Jenny.

He hoped she felt the same, of course.

Jenny sat back down, suddenly at a loss for what to say to Evan. "...how have you been all these years overseas, Evan? I hadn't heard a single peep from you whatsoever." If it weren't for Gilbert, Jenny would've forgotten he existed.

"Not much, really. It was my college studies at first, and then I got a job. I only decided to come back when Gilbert found me."

If Jenny had paid attention, she'd noticed that Evan wasn't meeting her gaze when he said all this.

But no, she didn't.