“Well, you know now. I don’t have the power to turn back time and tell you right after it happened.” She shrugged dismissively. She was starting to regret sharing her vehemence toward Micah. It was something that was best saved for the woman herself anyway. “I don’t know what it is, but like you said, it isn’t a big deal. Sorry.”
Another shrug. “It’s like I told you months ago. I have excellent self-control when I really put my mind to it.”
Leah frowned. “It’s not a defense, it’s a fact. I’m not careless, Evan.” She swallowed and couldn’t think of anything to say for a moment when Evan mentioned Leapers. The incident with Bea came to mind. She still hadn’t told Evan about that — nor would she. She really didn’t have a good defense or a good reason for putting herself at risk like she was. “Getting attacked could happen to anyone. Anyone’s at risk going out there, but most of them are capable.” The ‘friends jumping off a bridge’ defense was a weak one, too, but it was one she gave nonetheless.
The frustration in the room was palpable, but for the first time in a while, the majority of it wasn’t stemming from Leah. “You could’ve just asked me not to go out, or to take you with me.” Would she have listened? To the former, probably not. To the latter, she would’ve found an excuse to tell him no. Having him along would’ve meant dealing with an overprotective boyfriend who’d make her look weak.
Again, the situation was turning her into a hypocrite. She rarely simply talked to Evan about whatever was bothering her. Her blowup with the proposal-that-wasn’t-really-a-proposal came to mind. This wasn’t quite on par with that, but it was close.
“It could’ve waited a few more days.” Instead of ruining the Christmas mood. It was the first Christmas she was getting to spend with Marigold and nothing was going to ruin it. Not even Evan. “You’re not ruining my first Christmas with Mari. I’m pausing this fight and we’ll deal with it later.” Of course, putting a hold on a fight probably wouldn’t work, but Leah had made up her mind. She’d discuss things with him later, but they were only getting angrier and angrier at one another now and it was only a matter of time before things got too out of control.