“I want to see pictures of my parents,” she said to herself, her eyes darting along the wall.
“Here.” Jesse came up behind her and pulled down a box from the top shelf. FAMILY PHOTOS was printed on the front. He placed the box on the floor. “It’s heavy.”
“What’s bothering you?” Evie asked.
Jesse reached for another box marked FAMILY PHOTOS before he responded. He sighed first too. “Zach and I got into it back at the office.”
“You got into fight?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m sorry.” She was just about to ask what they were fighting about, but Jesse kept right on going.
“Did you kiss Zach last night? Or did he come on to you?”
Heat rushed over Evie’s face and the side of her head suddenly started to ache. Kissing Zach wasn’t a secret. She’d already told Blaire and Vega. She just didn’t expect Jesse to know about it or to make it sound like it was the worst thing Evie had ever done. She swallowed and waited a few seconds for the aching to stop. It took a few deep breaths, but she found her voice. “He told you about that?”
“He didn’t brag about it, but he said something happened when he knew damn well he should leave you alone.”
“Why does the idea of Zach and me being together bother everyone so much? Everyone but your parents, apparently,” she asked, more to herself. Then she looked up at Jesse. “Was I bad for him? Is Zach a bad guy? I know he’s your brother, but you should tell me if he is.”
“Wait, what about my parents? What did they say?”
“Nothing exactly. They just seemed very happy to hear that Zach and I were spending time together again. Then Miss Leona mentioned that your dad thought Zach and I would have made a good match once upon a time, but this sounds like more than that. What’s going on?”
Jesse looked at her for almost a full minute and Evie waited. It was dead silent in the storage unit, but she refused to fill the silence this time. She’d rather wait for the truth than rush a lie. Jesse took off his hat and scratched the back of his bald head.
“Zach is a good man. He—he’s a great brother and a great business partner.”
“But he’s shitty to women?”
Jesse was quiet again, thinking about what he wanted to say next. Maybe it had something to do with her grandmother and why she didn’t see Zach and Evie together. Maybe . . .
“You’re—I just think you deserve the world, and I know Zach could never put you first because the ranch comes first. It’s why we’re both single. It’s our curse, I guess. We love Big Rock more than anything, but you deserve better than that. You deserve the best,” Jesse said.
Evie felt herself frown. “I wish—I wish I believed that.” She wanted the best for herself, but she couldn’t picture a scenario where she was too good for Zach. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but something felt really off about that.
“You don’t?”
“I want to believe it, but, Jesse, I still don’t know who I am. What if I was some asshole after I moved away?”
“You weren’t.”
“But, what—”
“You weren’t. You’re still the first person to reach out to me on my birthday every year. At midnight, wherever you are, you text me or call me.”
Evie wanted to ask Jesse to take her off whatever pedestal he’d put her on, but that wasn’t the problem. He sounded like he was trying to protect her in a very specific way, from Zach and maybe even from herself. She cocked her head to the side and looked up at his handsome face.
“You weren’t talking to me a whole bunch in the hospital, but we were really friends, weren’t we?”
“Yeah.”
And then Evie realized. She’d been so flustered about how Zach and everyone else had been so warm to her, she never considered that Jesse’s hesitation to get close to her could be about something else. Yeah, she had it bad for one Pleasant brother, but this Pleasant brother, this quiet mountain of a man, cared about her too.
“You’re worried about me, huh?” she asked.
“I was. I am.”
Evie couldn’t stop herself. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Jesse’s waist. His big arms came around her shoulders and squeezed her tight. They held each other for a moment before she stepped back.
“You’re a sweet guy, Jesse.”
He shrugged. “It hit us real hard when Nana Buck died, and when Nicole called, my damn heart stopped. I really thought we’d lost you too. I wasn’t ready. And then I thought of all the years without you because you and Zach had been fighting—”
“Wait. I get why Zach and I were fighting, but you’re a grown man, you could have come to see me. Why didn’t you?”
“I—I guess—shit, I don’t know.”
“Some friend,” Evie teased, giving his arm a little shove. “Well, I’m here and I want us to still be friends, if you’ll give me a chance to get to know you again.”
“Yeah, I think that works.”
“Good. But you still don’t trust me with your brother?”
Jesse shrugged again. Maybe he’d run out of steam. “That’s not the problem. Sorry for bringing this up.”
“I appreciate your apology, but we’re working on twenty years of history between the three of us, four if you include your brother Sam, and a lot more if you include our grandparents. I’ve been back in your lives a week, and surprise, still no memory. We were bound to hit some speed bumps, but I still want to know. What does it matter if I kissed Zach first?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Apparently it does if you guys had a fight about it.”
Jesse sighed, then gave in. “I came running back to the house because I didn’t believe Zach, you know, about what happened between you two, and he said I could ask you for myself. He wasn’t being serious, but I called his bluff. Saying it out loud though now, I see how ridiculous this all sounds.”
At least he was smart enough to sound embarrassed. She didn’t have siblings, but it sounded like they could drive each other crazy for no good reason. “Okay. That sounds so silly, but I don’t want you two fighting about me. Let’s finish up here and go back to Miss Leona’s.”
Jesse’s nod was enough to end the conversation. She was glad they had talked. Zach and Jesse had made a whole lot out of nothing, but talking to Jesse had made the anxiety of going through the family’s things fade a little. Evie faced the wall of boxes again with a bit more determination.
“We can fit two boxes.”
“These aren’t as big as I thought. We can cram three in there. Four if you don’t mind Clementine sitting on your lap.”
Evie thought back to the full-sized black Lab. “That’s a lap dog to you?”
“I have a big lap.”
Evie laughed. “We’ll take three.”
With Jesse’s help they figured out which three boxes she wanted to go through most urgently. There was a box of pictures marked PHOTOS: YVONNE’S ROOM, one of the boxes marked FAMILY PORTRAITS and another marked YVONNE’S ROOM NOTEBOOKS. Jesse used his car keys to rip through the tape, and inside Evie found a bunch of her journals. Jesse grabbed a dolly and hauled the boxes out to the truck while Evie locked up. They both decided it made sense for her to keep the keys just in case someone else drove her the next time. Clementine was very happy to see them as they headed back to Pleasant Lane.
“That’s Zach’s place, right?” Evie asked as they pulled up the long drive. The lights in the house on the far end of their private cul-de-sac were on.
“Yeah,” Jesse replied.
“It looks like he’s home. Let’s go talk to him.”
“Okay.”
He pulled up in front of Zach’s house and when they hopped out of the truck, Evie walked around the front and grabbed Jesse’s arm so he couldn’t run away.
“I’m coming. You don’t have to put me under citizen’s arrest,” he said.
Evie laughed but she didn’t let go. Instead she tugged him all the way to
Zach’s doors, Clementine following along at their side. Evie rang the doorbell and ignored the jitters in her stomach. She’d been wanting to see Zach all day. Under different circumstances, granted, but she was happy to be finally seeing him.
“It’s Jesse and Evie,” she called out. A moment later Zach answered the door. He was wearing a white button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a nice pair of jeans. It was a simple outfit, but he still looked so damn handsome. He flashed her that killer smile.
“Miss Buchanan, a pleasure.” Then the smile dropped and he glared at his brother over her shoulder. “Jesse.”
“Jesse and I would like to come in and talk to you.” Zach looked at the two of them before an odd chuckle bubbled up from his chest. “What’s so funny?”
He shook his head. “Nothing. It’s just like back in the day. Jesse would tell me not to pick on you, you’d tell me not to give Jesse so much shit. Somehow Sam always got off easy. Come in.”
“Thank you.”
Clementine took the invitation and pushed her way in.
Evie wasn’t sure what she expected from Zach’s house, but it was a smaller—but not small—version of Miss Leona’s house. They followed him to the big leather sectional in this living room. He had some basketball game on and there were a few boxes of pizza on the coffee table.
“I was just about to tell Corie and the ladies to come over. Give Miss Leona some peace and quiet for a moment. Have a seat.” He muted the TV and sat down in the middle of the couch. Jesse sat on the far end and Clementine wasted no time jumping up on the couch beside him. Evie took a seat on the other end so she could look at them both as they talked. She cleared her throat. She figured one day she’d have to get used to commanding a room again. Why not start with an audience of two.
“I think Jesse is worried that you’re not going to give me your all,” Evie said plainly.
Zach nodded firmly once. “Which I understand, but Jesse should trust me. We are business partners and brothers. But I understand that Jesse truly does care about you and is just looking out for you.”
“Jesse, would you say that’s an accurate representation of the situation?” she asked.
“Yeah,” was all he grumbled.
“Okay, now. Vega reminded me that it’s okay for people to mind their own business,” Evie went on, ignoring Zach’s snort of laughter. “So while I appreciate your concern, Jesse, it isn’t your business to say what happens between me and Zach. But, I do want you and me to get back to being friends, and I do want you to have my back, just like I hope I can have yours—is that okay? If I’m supposed to get better, then I need you to trust me. I need to be able to make decisions for myself. Informed decisions, but still they have to be my decisions.”
“Yeah, I get it.”
“And just to clear the air, Zach has been a complete gentleman. I kissed him.”
“Told ya, ya punk bitch,” Zach joked.
Evie and Jesse both rolled their eyes. “Now is there anything you’d like to say to Zach?” she said.
“Sorry I popped off back at the office. I do trust you,” Jesse said. “I’m just worried about Evie.”
“And I want you to be,” Zach replied. “We all care about her and I want her to make her own decisions too. But you know me, man. I’m not trying to mess with her. You know that.”
“And Jesse, there’s another thing you have to know: I could just be using Zach for sex.”
“Okay.” Jesse slapped his thighs and stood up. “I’m out.”
“I’m just kidding,” Evie said. “Please stay.”
Zach laughed. “You gotta admit that was funny. A little fucked up, but funny.”
Jesse sat back down in a huff, but he seemed to be more at ease suddenly. Zach must have been right. This was just their way. The jokes, clowning around, giving each other some shit here and there. Evie had to admit, she didn’t hate it. She could easily see a friendship with both of the Pleasant brothers.
“Are we all okay?” Evie asked.
“Yeah, I think we’re cool,” Zach said, shooting his brother a genuine smile.
“We’re cool,” Jesse agreed.
“Great. Now, Zach, you said something about calling the girls over for dinner.”
“Yeah, let me text Lilah.”
“Jesse helped me grab some pictures and stuff from storage. After we eat, can you guys help me go through them?”
“Sure.”
“Of course,” they responded at the same time.
“Here, I’ll put the other box at Miss Leona’s and bring the pictures in here. Stay put, Clem.” Jesse headed for his truck and his loyal pup followed, clearly misreading the command to hang tight. Evie didn’t mind though. She and Zach were finally alone. He looked toward the front door for a heartbeat or two before his gaze met hers. Evie was sure her glasses were going to start fogging up any second.
“Hey,” Zach said.
“Hi.”
He slid closer to her, closing the distance between them on the couch. He smelled amazing. Like manly soap. He reached up and lightly brushed Evie’s cheek. It was nothing, just a simple touch, but the feeling of his fingers sent shock waves right between her legs. Everything she felt like she’d experienced with him in her dreams had been such a cheap substitute. One touch and she thought she was going to melt right there on the spot.
“How was your day?” he asked.
“Good. How was yours?”
“Good. So, you’re thinking about using me for sex?”
Evie swallowed, her gaze roaming over every inch of his face. She wondered if it would be weird to ask him if she could keep some recent photos of him in her room or on her phone, just in case. “I haven’t decided yet,” she said. “I’ve been considering my options all day.”
“Let me know when you reach a decision. I’m feeling the head wrap,” he replied, even though his eyes were definitely focused on her lips. He moved closer and she could feel the warmth coming off his body. Hopefully Jesse and the girls took their sweet time making their way across the cul-de-sac.
“Oh, thanks,” Evie said. Her fingers automatically touched the edge of the silk scarf. “It was gift from Lilah.”
“You look beautiful,” Zach whispered.
Evie wanted to thank him again, but they were too busy kissing.
Chapter 13
Though it put an end to their make-out session, moving their party of six over to Zach’s house turned out to be a good idea. Once Corie and Jesse got going, things got a little loud and rowdy, and over at his place they didn’t have to worry about bothering Miss Leona, especially as it grew later and later.
They finished the pizzas with ease while watching the basketball game. Evie enjoyed listening to them all talk about the players and various stats of both teams and the league in general. Even Lilah got in on the conversation, correcting Jesse and Zach about some guard who had recently been traded. Evie had no idea what the hell they were talking about, but it was nice just to be included. She felt better when Vega admitted she had no clue what was going on either.
“I haven’t watched pro ball since Obama’s first term. My ex-girlfriend was a Clippers superfan.”
“Boooo,” Corie teased.
“Yeah, Vega, you should have disclosed that information before I hired you,” Jesse said. “This is a Lakers household. Get out.”
“I didn’t say I was a Clippers fan. They were just my last frame of reference when it comes to pro basketball.”
At halftime Evie and Lilah sat on the floor and started going through the pictures. Corie grabbed an extra box to help Evie sort and keep track of what pictures she wanted to keep handy. She started with the box marked FAMILY PORTRAITS. Inside there were a dozen or so framed pictures.
She pulled out the first one, a picture of a little Black girl with box braids tied back in low pigtails with red polka-dot ribbons. The face was vaguely familiar. Evie saw some of her own features in the child’s face, but there was no connection.
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br /> “That’s you,” Zach said. Evie looked up at the warmth in his voice. She could still feel the softness of his lips against hers. Not that she was going to rush into anything, but she really hoped the doctors cleared her for sex. Just in case. He stood, giving her shoulder a light squeeze before he moved around the other side of the coffee table. “Nana Buck had that hanging in your living room for ages. Taking a trip to the fridge. Anyone need a refill?”
Jesse held up a finger as he chugged the rest of the beer in his other hand. “I’ll take some more water, please,” Evie said before she turned to Lilah. “We can put this back in storage. It’s cute, but not exactly something I need to hold on to. Right this minute.”
“’Kay. Back in storage it goes.” Lilah took the frame and carefully placed it in the spare box. Evie pulled out two more of her school pictures as Zach came back with their drinks. He handed off Jesse’s beer and set down her water. She didn’t expect him to take a seat on the couch behind her so his denim-clad muscular thighs were spread wide on either side of her shoulders, but she welcomed it.
“Watch her stitches there, Romeo,” Vega said, pinning Zach with a hard look.
“I’ll be careful. I promise,” Zach replied. When it was clear no one else had thoughts on their new seating arrangements, Evie went back to their photos. There was one more of herself riding a small white pony. She must have been five or six years old. She handed that off to Lilah, then looked back into the box. The next picture was old too, two people standing near an old wooden fence. The man had a baby swaddled against his chest and the woman stood beside him with her arms wrapped around his waist. The woman was laughing.
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