Chapter 25

Evelyn brought out a second bottle of wine to the patio, and Arianna added another log to the fire pit, the flames jumping up to meet the split logs as the sun sank behind the mountains.

Evelyn refilled both of their glasses before taking a seat, holding her hand out to the fire. Once the sun was gone, it didn't take long for the nights to get cold.

This was Arianna's last night before she headed to Dublin tomorrow for her flight back to Los Angeles, and Evelyn had almost told her five different times this week. This was it though. Her last chance.

Evelyn's entire body hummed with nervous energy, her fingers fidgeting with the stem of her wine glass. She needed Arianna to understand who she was before Evelyn went back to Los Angeles next month. Claire had been the only other person that Evelyn had come out to, and while she was ninety-nine percent sure that Arianna's reaction would be positive, it was still hard to say it out loud.

"Are you okay?" Arianna asked, taking her away from her thoughts. "You've been unusually quiet today."

Evelyn took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "There's something I need to tell you."

Arianna set her glass down, turning to face Evelyn fully. Her eyes were filled with warmth and understanding, silently encouraging Evelyn to continue.

Evelyn swallowed hard as she cradled her glass of wine. "I don't know how to say this, so I'm just going to say it." She pressed her lips together. "Arianna… I'm gay." Her words hung in the air. "I've known for a really long time, but I don't know, being here has changed me. I'm sorry it's taken this long for me to tell you."

Evelyn's heart hammered in her chest as she watched Arianna's face for any sign of reaction. Seconds felt like hours as she waited.

To her surprise, a gentle smile spread across Arianna's lips. She reached out, taking Evelyn's hand in her own, her touch warm and reassuring.

"Oh, Evelyn," Arianna said softly, her voice filled with affection. "Please don't apologize. And to be honest, I've had a feeling for a long time."

Evelyn's eyes widened in shock, her mind reeling. "You... You knew?"

Arianna chuckled, giving Evelyn's hand a gentle squeeze. "I've seen the way you look at women, Ev. It's not obvious to everyone, but I know you so well at this point. And the more telling factor is that you've come up with an excuse for every single handsome bachelor in Hollywood. None of them lasted more than three or four dates."

Tears pricked at the corners of Evelyn's eyes.

"I know you've been focused on your career," Arianna continued, her thumb rubbing soothing circles on the back of Evelyn's hand. "But I've always had a feeling that there was more to it than that. I've always thought that you were interested in women, but it wasn't my place to ask. I'm your manager at the end of the day, even if I consider you one of my best friends."

Evelyn let out a shaky breath, a smile spreading across her face even as tears began to fall. She pulled Arianna into a tight hug.

"Thank you," Evelyn whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Arianna hugged her back just as tightly. "I will always support you, Evelyn. No matter what. You deserve to be happy, and I'm so proud of you."

Evelyn felt a weight lift from her shoulders. She knew she still had to talk to Claire and tell her what was going on, but having Arianna on her side meant more to her than she ever could have imagined.