Evelyn Shaw James Huntington Liam Reynolds Novel The Man I Forgot I Loved

A car accident stole my memories of the last five years.
Waking up, the first thing I did was calling my boyfriend, Babe? I was in an accident. Come to get me, please? I'm so scared... sobbing.
James Huntington, as attentive as ever, came straight to the hospital and took me home.
That night, lying in James's bed, my phone buzzed with an unknown number:
"Evelyn? Is that you? Babe, it's me, Liam Reynolds. Your boyfriend."
...
"Ms. Shaw, you were unconscious for about a day due to the impact on your head. Fortunately, there are no major injuries, and you're free to go home now. As for the loss of five years' memory, it's likely neurological damage from the trauma. Recovery time is uncertain."
Maybe I really did hit my head too hard, it took me a moment to understandthe doctor's words. When I finally snapped back, I saw a man bowing repeatedly, apologizing.
"I'm so sorry, ma'am. I wasn't paying attention when driving. I've covered the medical bills. Please, tell me what compensation you need?"
Slowly, I tunred to look at him.
He was a middle-aged man, short, wearing an ill-fitting leather jacket. He looked exhausted and anxious, looking at me with guilty.
I shook my head. "Just... buy me a new phone?"
Then I left the hospital, clutching the cheap phone he'd bought me and wearing the slightly-too-thin cotton jacket he'd provided. I wandered the downtown streets in a daze.
It took me a while to clear my mind. Then I called the number I knew by heart without hesitation.
Ring... Ring...
It rang several times before he picked up.
"Hello."
The voice was exactly as I remembered, though it sounded strangely cold.
Hearing that familiar tone made my nose sting.
My tears spilled over instantly.
"James? It's me, Evelyn. I was in an accident. Please, come to get me? Sobbing."
He didn't say a word.
Just as I thought he'd hung up, James's voice came through, cool and detached: "Is this a joke?"
His indifference deeply hurt me.
Wiping my tears, I protested,
"Why are you being so mean? Why would I joke about something like this? I had a head impact and I've lost my memory! I can't remember the last five years!"
As soon as I said it, a horrible thought surfaced. Clutching the phone, I asked tentatively and fearfully, "We... we didn't break up, did we?"
Listening to his breathing, my heart clenched painfully, whether from being nervous or something else.
"We didn't break up."
"Where are you? I'll go to get you right now."
I relieved and complained, "You scared me to death."
"I knew we couldn't have broken up."
James gave a soft, quiet "Yea."

"Evelyn?"
I felt so bored squating by the flower bed and waiting for James.
Half an hour later, I finally heard his voice.
I launched myself at him, burying my face in his expensive suit jacket and crying all over it.
"What took you so long? I was terrified."
His broad hands hesitated for a second before patting my back gently. "I'm sorry. My fault."
Hearing him apologize made me feel awkward.
"I wasn't blaming on you," I mumbled and lifted my head from his chest. When I looked into his eys, I was shocked to see James's eyes were red-rimmed too.
I quickly reached up to wipe his tears.
"Why... why are you crying?"
He stared at me for a long moment, then shook his head.
He grabbed my hand where it rested on his cheek and kissedmy knuckles.
"I missed you."
I teased him for being clingy, figuring he'd just been frantic beacuse he worried about me.
"You missed me this much after just two days in the hospital?"
I climbed onto his back like I used to in high school, letting him carry me.
Wrapping my arms tightly around his neck, I touched his overly thin cheek, my heart aching. "You're so skinny now."
"Way thinner than in high school."
"Didn't I tell you to eat properly these past few years?"
James's step faltered for just a second, then carried me steadily to his car.
He placed me in the passenger seat and buckled my seatbelt.
"Too much work to do."
"You can monitor my meals from now on, okay?"

Looking around his huge apartment in minimalist decor, I couldn't help asking,
"Your place is so... cold. Are you sure I never tried to redecorate this?"
James didn't bat an eyelid.
"I just bought this place recently. It was always meant for you to decorate in the way you like."
I accepted this easily. "So... where do I live now? Why didn't you take me to my place?"
James took my hand, helped me take off the cheap jacket, and guided me to sit on the bed.
He smoothed my hair.
"Rest for a bit. I don't like the idea of you being alone right now. Stay here for a few days. It'll be easier for me to look after you. Okay?"
I could never refuse James when he was gentle like this.
Plus, I was exhausted.
He tuck me in, and lulled by the comforting scent of his sheets, I fell into a deep sleep.
When I woke up, James wasn't home.
I stretched, got up slowly, and decided to take a shower.
But walking into the bathroom, I found only one set of toiletries.
The walk-in closet held only men's clothes.
Had I never stayed over at James's place?
Buzz... Buzz...
Before I could think further, the sound of the door opening caught my attention.
I hurried out to find James carrying several large shopping bags.
Hearing me, he looked over and his brow instantly furrowing.
He dropped the bags carelessly and rushed over, scooping me up and putting me on the sofa.
"Don't walk barefoot. The floor's cold."
I reached up to smooth the frown from his forehead, instinctively agreeing before retorting, "I didn't see any slippers I could wear."
James paused, then pulled a pair from one of the boxes. He knelt with his head bowed slightly. "My bad. I forgot."
"Hmph," I sniffed. "So... I have never stayed here before? There are no clothes or toiletries for me"
James nodded. "Mmhmm."
I watched as he carefully slipped the slippers onto my feet, then pulled out brand-new toiletries and clothes from another bag.