Everly. My gaze slipped from my phone screen, my eyes losing focus. She was so perplexing. At work she was as competent as ever. Smart, punctual, efficient. But she wasn’t just my assistant anymore, and the change was seriously fucking with my head.
She padded around my condo barefoot, in tank tops and shorts that showed all kinds of skin. Hair up off her neck, tempting me. She happily wished me good morning, or good night, always in that bright, cheery voice. Always with a smile. She sat in her hideous yellow bean bag chair with a book or drank wine with my dad, their laughter carrying to every corner of my home.
Moving her in with me had been my idea, but I hadn’t counted on her presence being such a mindfuck. She was everywhere, a constant distraction. Flitting through my thoughts in those tantalizing pajamas. Sleeping next to me, making my sheets smell like strawberries.
“Shepherd?”
I blinked, glancing up at my father. He raised his eyebrows and I had a feeling he’d been trying to get my attention.
“Finished?” I asked.
“Yes, finally. Sorry, son, I didn’t think we’d be here this long.”
I stood and pocketed my phone. “It’s fine.”
We went out to the parking garage and got in my car. I glanced at my dad a few times as we headed home. He’d been uncharacteristically quiet this afternoon. The appointment with his doctor had gone fine. Perhaps things were already cooling off with Svetlana—that could account for his solemn mood.
What if he was about to end things with her? Or she with him? That would mean an end to the charade with Everly. That thought was oddly alarming.
“Are you all right?” I asked. “You seem quiet.”
“Yes, I’m fine,” he said, in a voice that indicated he was anything but.
“Dad.”
“All right. I’m concerned about my financial situation. I’m not getting any younger, and I lost a lot of money. I can’t keep living with you indefinitely.”
So it wasn’t Svetlana that was bothering him. I didn’t know whether to be frustrated or relieved.
“Look, we’ll figure it out,” I said. “We have a plan to get you back on your feet.”
“I just wish I hadn’t put you in this position.”
“There’s no need for you to feel guilty. You took some risks and they didn’t pay off. The timing could have been better, all things considered, but you’ll be fine. You always bounce back.”
A slow smile spread across his face. “Thank you, son. I appreciate that.”
By the time we got back to my building, he was his usual cheerful self. We rode the elevator up to my penthouse. Dad thanked me again for taking him to his appointment before disappearing down the hallway toward his room.
I was already distracted by Everly.
She was here. I’d seen her car in the parking garage—in the spot next to mine—but that wasn’t why I knew. My skin buzzed with electricity, the hairs on my arms standing on end. Where was she? Curled up on the couch, texting her friends? Flitting around the kitchen making a mess? Maybe soaking in the bath again?
I paused just inside the door, imagining Everly naked in my bathtub. Her tits floating in soapy water. Her knees gently tipping open, the water lapping against the sides of the tub.
A voice in the other room jolted me out of my momentary fantasy. A voice I did not want to hear. Svetlana. “How nice.”
Who was she talking to? I couldn’t see her from where I was standing. It sounded like she was in the hallway near my office.
“I thought so.”
Oh no. That was Everly. Why were they together? They must not have heard us come in.
“There’s something I need to say, woman to woman,” Svetlana said. “Whatever it is you think you have with Shepherd, it isn’t real. He’s not capable of a real relationship. At least not long-term. I should have seen it sooner, but that was my mistake. I don’t want you to wind up like me.”
“Like you?” Everly asked. “Do you mean dating his father?”
“No. My meeting Richard was fate. The fact that he’s Shepherd’s father is a… strange coincidence.”
“I don’t really buy that,” Everly said. There was nothing antagonistic or confrontational in her voice. Just a simple statement of fact.
“Believe what you will,” Svetlana said. “I don’t blame you for being suspicious. That’s why I wanted to talk to you. Richard is a wonderful man. But Shepherd…”
Everly’s voice was hard. “What about Shepherd?”
My feet moved me closer to the hall, almost as if they were operating outside my control.
“He’s not one of those cold businessmen who’s soft on the inside. If that type even exists. He’s calculating and ruthless. I’m concerned you don’t understand what you’ve gotten yourself into by dating him.”
“I’ve known Shepherd for a long time,” Everly said. “I know exactly what I’ve gotten myself into.”
“I don’t think you do. Shepherd doesn’t care about you, and he’s certainly not going to change for you. He’s not in love with you, Everly. That man doesn’t love anyone, except himself. I wouldn’t get comfortable here. You won’t be staying.”
“I suppose you would think that,” Everly said.
“I’m trying to help you. Shepherd is going to use you and cast you aside without a second thought.”
“Shepherd is not the sort of man to use people and spit them out like chewed-up gum,” Everly said, the heat in her tone rising with every word. “He’s a good man who cares about the people in his life. And maybe he hasn’t been in a long-term relationship, but he just hadn’t found the right woman.”
“Everly, don’t be silly.”
“I’m not being silly. Not in the least. He’s in love with me, and we’re very committed to each other.”
“Perhaps it seems that way now, but it won’t last.”
“No? Then why did he propose?”
I stopped, my body freezing in place. Did she just say propose? As in marriage?
“He… what?” Svetlana asked.
“He proposed,” Everly said. “We’re getting married.”
“You’re getting married?” Dad asked.
His voice made me jump and I whipped around. I hadn’t heard him approach.
“What?” I asked, as if I hadn’t just heard what she said.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Dad smiled and I swear to god, his eyes were sparkling.
“Richard, you’re home,” Svetlana said. She and Everly both stepped out of the hall.
“Wonderful, we’re all here.” Dad smiled at Svetlana, then wrapped Everly in a hug. “Congratulations. This is such great news.”
I stared at Everly, my jaw clenched. Why the hell had she said we were engaged? She looked back at me, her eyes wide while Dad hugged her.
“Dad, you can let go of her now.” I grabbed his arm and nudged him back.
He chuckled. “Don’t worry, son, she’s all yours. I’m thrilled. When’s the wedding?”
Everly gestured with her hands. “Oh, well, we haven’t exactly talked about—”