I hesitate a bit too long and Ryanne elbows me. “Ummm, I guess?”
“Never mind. I’m telling Darby tonight. She has to help me with Dad.”
“What are you telling her?”
“Chad Mason asked me to come to his football game next week,” she squeals. “He’s in eighth grade and the quarterback, which is beyond cool. He’s the cutest boy in school, and all the girls crush on him. My best friend said he’s asked no one to come see him play. But yesterday, he walked up to me and…”
She rambles, detailing everything about their encounter, and my chest burns for a different reason. Sweet Maya has a serious crush.
After a few minutes, she’s breathless, and her mood has done a complete turnaround. Peirce calls her name in the background. “I better go. Thanks, Poppy, for listening.”
“Any time, see you soon.”
We disconnect, and I fall back on the couch. “That was an emotional rollercoaster.”
“Yes, it was. Hate to do it, Pips, but I have to leave.”
“Let me know when you get to the hotel.”
“I’ll text. And you keep me updated on what’s happening with that situation.”
“Will do.”
She gathers her things and waves goodbye.
My phone beeps with a reminder and I haul myself up, grabbing the folder for my appointment, and head out. The entire way toward the strip, Maya’s call replays in my head. God, I’d love to be there next week to see what happens at that football game.
I turn into the parking lot and shoot off a quick text to Evin.
I Love you.
It’s simple and to the point. He’s busy this week and needs to focus since he’s coming here for ten days starting Friday.
“Here goes nothing.” My hand rubs the stone around my neck for luck.
Elliot is waiting for me in the lobby with a kind smile. “Poppy, you ready to do this?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
“I look forward to meeting Evin.”
“Let’s hope he doesn’t kill me for this. It’s a surprise.”
“The best kind of surprise.”
I follow him to the elevator, hoping he’s right.
Evin’s silence stretches out, and my euphoria of the day dies quickly.
“Say something.” I pick at the ruffle on my pillow.
“Let me get this straight. Ryanne gets on a plane to Seattle, Dante is in Colorado, I’m across the motherfucking country, and you met with a realtor by your goddamned self?” he roars so loud, my eardrum rings.
“Honey, we know him. He’s a friend of Dante’s.”
“I don’t care if he’s in line for sainthood, you never meet with a man in a strange place, especially when I don’t know where the fuck you are.”
“Evin!”
“Warning you, Poppy, it’s been a shit fucking day. Connie's drama is usually hilarious, but today it fucking pissed me off because she stepped onto my turf. Insulting you was a big mistake. Then I find out you already know Connie’s up to her bitch ways. Now it’s three in the fucking morning and you share you met with a man to tour sublets?”
Oh boy.
“Okay, I should have rethought sharing until tomorrow.”
“The hell you should. My wife meets with a man to view apartments, I should have been the first to know.”
“Evin, he’s Dante’s friend, meaning he’s not the kind of friend interested in women.”
“Bullshit, he takes one look at you and bet he’s rethinking that.”
“I’m sitting here, in my bed, locked in my house, safe, talking to you. Calm down.”
It’s apparent I said the wrong thing when he roars again. “Do you have any idea what it would do to me if something happened to you?”
My brain is screaming at me to be pissed, but my heart swells at his worry.
“Okay, sweetheart, it won’t happen again. But stop yelling at me or I’ll get pissed.”
He blows out a breath, and I can picture his beautiful face grinning at my statement.
“Now, are you ready to hear about your options?” I bite my lip, hoping he likes what I offer.
“Nope, did you find something you like?”
“I found two. One had a fabulous kitchen, but no office space.”
“Your kitchen is more important. I’ll make a workspace anywhere. Pick it and send me the paperwork. I’ll sign and give the deposit.”
Suddenly, my plan takes a nosedive and I try to evade the last part. He picks up on it. “Fuck me, Poppy, if you even try to pay for this, I’ll lose what’s left of my cool.”
“You have something left? That is surprising because you’re acting like a Neanderthal again!” I snap.
“Did you pay for anything?”
“I gave a binder to hold the two until we spoke.”
He’s quiet again, and I fidget. Maybe my way of working around was a bit risky.
“Tomorrow, you’re going on my accounts. I’ll order you a credit card and have it rushed. And when I get there, we’ll talk about your bills.”
“Do you want me to roll my direct deposit into your account?” A slight wave of panic sinks in. We have spoken briefly about finances but never delved deep into the subject. He’s got money, and from what I can tell, he has a lot. My accounts aren’t slim, but for years I’ve been stowing money in an account with Dante.
“No, I want you to keep your money. You’ll need it with the influx of gifts that hit Charleston today.”
“They came? They weren’t scheduled until later this week.”
“When my phone wasn’t blowing up with the drama, it was blowing up with messages of deliveries.”
“They were just pictures.”
“They were pictures of our wedding, which makes everyone happy. They provided a perfect distraction.”
“I’m glad.” My eyes go to my nightstand and the shot of us in the garden. It’s one of my absolute favorites because it’s candid. In this shot, Evin is the star. He’s gorgeous any day, but his expression at this moment was exquisite. There’s also something intimate happening. Something that will forever be between us. Every time I see it, I’m back in that moment.
“Did you get your delivery?”
“I did and was waiting on you to open it.”
“Are we out of the danger zone with your hissy fit to open it now?”
“Shit, Poppy, men don’t throw hissy fits. I will not apologize for being protective.”
“We are not going there again. Get the gift and open it.”
There’s rumbling on his end, and then the sound of crinkling paper and bubble wrap sets my heart racing.
“Jesus, fuck.” The emotion in his voice is undeniable.
“I have the same one at my bedside. I thought it would be beautiful on the far wall between the windows.”
“You building us a collage of memories?”
My gaze hits my wall. “If you want me to.”
“Have at it.”
“Evin, it’s late and you need to get back to sleep, but what happened with the Connie situation?”
“I got enough sleep.”