“Yeah, I understand. I just get the sense that you keep some things to yourself sometimes. You’re allowed to do that — I’m not saying you have to tell me everything — I’d just rather you didn’t stay quiet and suffer with it.” Smiling, she glanced down. “Though I can also understand why you do keep certain things to yourself, considering my tendency to blow things out of proportion.”
“You and Mari get most of my time anymore, so there’s that at least,” Leah pointed out. “But I don’t think Brandon would lynch you. Not if I have any say in the matter. And I have a lot of say in that matter.”
Leah’s expression softened as it always did when the subject turned to Elliot. “Don’t keep blaming yourself for that, love. It could’ve happened to anyone. Anyone could’ve been in Elliot’s place. Maybe someday you’ll eventually stop shouldering the blame for his death.” She squeezed his hand. “I don’t think he’d have wanted you to dwell on the sad memories of him on your birthday.”
Her head quirked to one side. “Just most of the time,” she corrected. “Although there were a couple of times I think you let me kick your ass.”
She rested her arms around his waist when he pulled her closer. “I was talking about you, Mr. Twenty-Nine. Unless you think you’ll be even sexier when you hit thirty.” Leah gave him a teasing look.
It was Leah’s turn to be surprised. Her eyes went to the necklace he returned to her hand, then back to Evan. “Are you sure? You’d want me to wear something that belonged to Olivia?”