She glanced at the clock. She still had fifteen minutes before she was to meet Evan. Fifteen minutes before he’s facing this red dress. I almost feel sorry for the man.
Well, she sort of felt sorry for him. Right now, her primary emotions where Evan was concerned were anger and fear. Anger at him for looking so darn good without even trying and fear at the way she’d responded to seeing him standing in the lobby, looking as if he’d just stepped off the pages of GQ.
Even after all they’d been through, the man only had to look at her and whoomph! up she went in flames. I don’t think he saw it, though. She eyed her dress with satisfaction. Now he’ll be the one going up in flames.
She couldn’t fault herself for reacting to Evan in such a way; most women did. Over the years, she’d seen it time after time. He was tall, broad shouldered, and handsome with dark brown hair that always looked just so, even when he raked his hand through it repeatedly (a bad habit that was also instantly adorable) and the bluest eyes she’d ever seen. He could have been a model or an actor, but he’d been fascinated by corporate intrigue early on. Spurred by burning ambition and an instinctive knack for boardroom politics, he’d jumped feet first into the corporate world and had been wildly successful. He was now the President and CEO of his own company and rightly proud of his accomplishments.
Jess had been at his side during the first years of the company’s journey. Early on, she’d served as the Marketing Director, running the digital channels and keeping the website and other external communication up to date. Eventually she’d started yearning for her own project, rather than just being a part of her husband’s ever-increasing team, so she’d bowed out and had started purchasing properties and flipping them. She’d had great success, although it couldn’t measure against Evan’s company, which had doubled and then tripled in size.
She couldn’t blame her husband’s ambitious nature for their problems, because she was ambitious, too. But there was a price for his continued success; one he was willing to pay, but she wasn’t. His time away from home grew with each additional win and had eventually chipped away at their marriage. The bigger the company got, the smaller their marriage seemed to be, until one day it dawned on her that she was in it alone.
“If I have to choose between having half of a husband or none, I’ll choose none,” she muttered under her breath. She met her own gaze in the mirror, wincing at the sadness she saw there. Leaving Evan had been the hardest thing she’d ever done. She’d loved him dearly, and still did, and thought him as sexy as ever, as her reaction to him this afternoon had clearly proven. But…that was the problem; there were just so many “buts.”
“You shouldn’t be going out to dinner with him,” she told her reflection. “You couldn’t say no, could you?”
With a grimace, she turned away from the mirror. She’d better get this over with and quickly. She grabbed her phone and purse and left her apartment, her heels clipping sharply on the floor.
She entered the lobby and came to a surprised stop. A spectacular bouquet of muted lavender, periwinkle blue, and soft pink flowers in a large pale green vase sat on the long table by the entryway.
Jess’s heart thudded a little faster. Had Evan—
“Gawd help us all, but I hope you registered that dress as a weapon, ‘cause it is one.”
Jess recognized her florist’s familiar raspy voice. More disappointed than she should have been, Jess turned and offered up a friendly smile. “Hi, Flora. This must be the sample bouquet you were talking about earlier this week.”
“I had a delivery to make on this side of town and figured I might as well stop in and see what you think of this particular arrangement.” Flora Fellows was aptly named as she owned Flora’s Fauna and Flower Shop, which had opened on Main Street in Dove Pond a mere six months ago. As sharp in tone as she was round in shape, the older, iron-gray-haired woman was known for her willingness to give her opinion on just about any topic whether you wanted to hear it or not. “I didn’t realize I’d be interrupting your date night, or I’d have called first. Where are you headed dressed up like that?”
“To nail a coffin closed.”
The older woman’s eyebrows shot up, her deep brown eyes bright with curiosity. “Oh ho! The ex, is it?”
“I’m meeting him at six for a final Verbalization of the Grievances.”
“I figured you had an ex. You’ve got that air.”
One of despair? Sadness? Freedom? Jess shot a curious gaze at the florist. “You were once married, weren’t you?”
“Once. It lasted about a month too long.”
“How long were you married?”
“Two months.” Flora gave a deep bark of laughter at Jess’s surprise. “I was a young idiot and desperate to leave home. Sweet heaven, the trouble being both of those at the same time can get you.”
“I got married while I was still in college, which was a risky move, but I was oh-so-in-love. I think I was blinded.” Jess shook her head. “Evan was a handsome senior and drove a BMW; I was a freshman with a bike. A broken, borrowed bike.”
“Hot and had money. That’s hard to resist.”
“I was completely bewitched. Plus, he was an only child and his parents were quite a bit older, so he adored my big, noisy family.”
“A triple threat. You didn’t stand a chance.”
Not even a little one. The way he’d loved her family had sealed the deal for her, and they’d loved him in return. In fact, her brothers and sisters, who all lived within an hour of Dove Pond, were as upset over the pending divorce as she was, maybe more so.
“Although he deserves it, I pity the man who has to face that dress.” Flora’s gaze narrowed. “Did the fool cheat on you?”
“No. He just loves his job more than—” Jess’s chest tightened, but she pushed the words out. “More than he loves me.”
“A total and deserving fool,” Flora said firmly. “I hope he sees you in that dress, catches on fire with desire, and dies of deep and wrenching regret.”
“That would be nice,” Jess said wistfully. She wondered for the hundredth time when she’d lost her place in Evan’s life, but there wasn’t one crystal clear moment. Instead, over the years, she’d slowly found herself left behind, one event and deed at a time, until the anniversaries and birthdays he started missing were simply a part of their marriage.
“Whatever happened before, he’ll pay attention to you tonight.” The florist picked up the box she’d used to bring in the flower arrangement. “I’d put my last dollar on it.”
“Thanks. I have a few things to say to him, and I didn’t want to look weak.”
“What you look is hot. I’m going to leave this arrangement while I consider some other options. You have to see these things in place to know if they’ll work, you know?”
Jess nodded as if she did know, although she had no idea. She could picture materials together—marble, wood, tiles, fabrics. That had helped her design the lobby and the other rooms. But she was at a loss when it came to live plants, which was why she’d decided to hire a professional.
“Oops. I almost forgot.” Flora reached into her pocket, pulled out a small brown bottle, and placed it beside the arrangement. “Keep the water to the level you see now, use a few drops of my secret sauce every day or so, and the flowers will stay fresh a whole week.”
“Will do,” Jess promised. Everyone knew that Flora’s ‘secret sauce’ was really a mixture of vodka and Sprite, her favorite drink. But whatever it was, it worked.
“Before you put in your final order, I want to try another color mix.” Flora stared at the arrangement and pursed her lips. “And maybe something a touch larger. I’ll bring it in a few days and see which you prefer.”
“I think this is lovely, but you know what’s best. Thanks, Flora.”
“Sure. See you in a few days.” Flora headed for the door. As she went, she called over her shoulder, “Good luck burning that fool to the ground!”
Luck was exactly w
hat Jess needed. She waited for the door to close before she turned to the mirror over the entry table. “You know the rules,” she told herself. “Don’t look directly into his eyes and you’ll be fine.” Right. I know how to do this. No eye contact. Focus on his chin. That’ll keep my mind functioning. She straightened her shoulders and, feeling as if she were going into battle, went outside.
Evan was just coming out of his room, still dressed in the same suit he’d worn earlier and looking better than any man had a right to.
Of course he’s wearing the same suit, she told herself impatiently. Since he hadn’t known he’d be staying overnight, all he had with him were the clothes on his back.
She winced to think of how wrinkled that suit would be by morning. Silk and wool blends weren’t made to be worn multiple days. It was a good thing she’d had those sample toiletry kits, though. The only thing Evan didn’t have, besides a change of clothes for tomorrow, was pajamas, which shouldn’t be an issue as he usually slept in the nude.
Evan. In the nude.
Hot and spicy memories flickered through her mind, and her heart skipped a beat.
Stop it! She couldn’t afford to lose herself in memories that left her with weak knees and the inability to think straight. Keep your mind on the prize, Cho, she told herself sternly, trying to calm her galloping pulse.
Still, seeing Evan attired in his suit made her doubly grateful she’d decided to wear her red dress.
She took a steadying breath, locked a casual look on her face, and then said in what she hoped was a cool and uncaring tone of voice, “Ready for dinner?”
He looked up, one hand on the doorknob, the other on the key. His eyebrows shot up before his gaze moved up and then down her, lingering on her neckline and legs.
She’d wanted to see deep, authentic regret. What she got instead was an instant, heated Damn, baby! look that made her tingle in all the wrong places. No responding! she admonished herself desperately. That’s not how you want this to go.
Evan dropped the key into his pocket and walked toward her. “Jess, you look…” He shook his head slowly.
There it was, the regret she’d wanted to see. Jess: Score One.
His blue gaze returned to her face. “You look beautiful.”
And you look good enough to eat. The thought flashed through her mind and she barely had time to keep it from tumbling from her lips. She managed to say instead, “I hope you’re hungry. It’s meatloaf special night.”
“I’m hungry.” His gaze moved back over her, leaving a tingle everywhere it touched.
“Let’s go then.” She turned on her heel and walked toward the two vehicles parked in the back of the lot, an Audi sports car and a pickup truck.
Evan fell into step beside her. “Thank you for agreeing to have dinner with me.”
As if she’d ever been able to tell him no. He’d been her weakness, her kryptonite. Was. Not anymore. “We’re going to the Moonlight Café. It’s not fancy, but the food’s great.” She was wildly overdressed for the casual atmosphere of the small café located on Main Street, but that was okay. She’d already gotten the reaction she’d wanted, so the night was already a win. Now all she had to do was keep Evan a decent distance away, and she’d have no regrets about allowing him an hour or so of her time.
“I take it this café is your new favorite place.”
“One of them. You know how I feel about meatloaf.”
His dimple flashed as he grinned. “You’ve used the words ‘love’ and ‘passionate’ when talking about meatloaf.”
Oh God, the dimple. Don’t look at it.
“I’d offer to drive, but my car is—” He winced, refusing to say the word.
“Broken,” she said in a relentless tone. He was crazy about his cars. When he didn’t think anyone was around, he sometimes spoke to them, which she used to think was cute. It’s probably still cute. I just won’t see it.
Her heart ached at the thought. Stop that. “I don’t mind driving.” As she spoke, they reached the two vehicles.
Evan walked to the passenger door of the Audi.
She opened the door to her truck and waited.
“Oh.” He looked from the new Audi to her white 1994 pickup, which was creaky, dented, and a little rusty. “Sorry.” He walked around the back of the truck toward the passenger door. “I thought the Audi looked more like you.”
She could tell he thought that was a compliment. She opened the truck door and, tugging her dress up her thighs a bit so she could move, swung up into the seat. Once there, she pushed her skirt back in place and settled onto the cushion she used so she could see over the steering wheel.
He opened his door and climbed in, his gaze locking on the thigh she’d just covered. “But then again, I can see the benefits of having a truck.”
“They’re useful. The Audi belongs to my sister Emily. She’s just keeping it here while she’s having her driveway repaved.”
“Did she leave the keys?”
“Yes, but I like my truck better.” Jess buckled up, waited for Evan to do likewise, and then cranked the truck on.
“Your sisters’ restaurant must be doing well.”
“It’s doing great. Emily and Mariah have turned it into one of Asheville’s most popular brunch destinations.”
“I’m not surprised. They make a mighty team.”
“They do. They’ve been helping out here when they can.”
He watched as Jess drove out of the parking lot. “I have to say, driving a truck suits you.”
She glanced his way, expecting the Evan kidding-but-not-kidding look, but his expression was serious.
She yanked her gaze back to the road. She kept getting fleeting impressions that there was something different about him. He was more serious, his gaze more searching; that much she knew. But she had no idea what that meant, if anything.
They reached Main Street and she pulled the truck into the lot beside the town hall, unwilling to attempt to parallel park her beast of a truck in front of Evan. She turned off the engine, undid her seatbelt, and hopped out, tugging her skirt back into place before dropping her keys into her purse.
She looked up to find Evan beside her.
He frowned. “I was going to open your door for you.”
“Thanks, but I got it.” She bumped the door closed with her hip and then breezed past him. “This way.” She didn’t wait to see if he followed but headed across the street and down the sidewalk to the café.
She loved this little place. The red-and-white-checked gingham tablecloths were comforting, and she adored the mason jars that the café used in place of drinking glasses. But best of all, after spending only a few months here in Dove Pond, every time Jess went to the café she found that she recognized some, if not all, of the other customers.
Right now, Arnie Gonzalez and his wife Camila sat in a corner booth with their three girls. Across the café, the new dentist, Abby Lews, was splitting a piece of pie with the town’s mayor, Grace Wheeler, and her best friend, local librarian Sarah Dove. When Jess had first arrived, Sarah had brought over a stack of business books and had yet to ask for them back.
Waitress Marian Freely looked up from where she stood behind the counter cutting a cherry pie into eight uneven pieces. “Why, there’s Miss Jess!” she said in a welcoming tone. At well over seventy years old, the waitress was tall and angular, her improbably bright red hair an uncanny match to the cherry lipstick that traced her thin lips. “You’re all dressed up, too.” She looked past Jess to Evan. “Well, well,” the waitress said under her breath and yet loud enough to make Jess blush.
Every eye in the place was now on the two of them, moving from her to Evan and then back. Her face still hot, she had to fight the urge to cross her arms over her chest. “A table for two, please.”
“You look like a thousand bucks,” Marian said proudly. “But you couldn’t miss meatloaf night, could you?”
“Not in a million years.”
“Don’t bl
ame you. A table for two, right? That would be for you and…” The waitress looked at Evan and waited expectantly, but he didn’t answer.
Marian’s smile faded. She sniffed and then turned back to Jess. “Pick your seat, sweetie. I’ll be right there.”
Jess started to head for a table but then realized that the depth of a booth would help her maintain a healthier distance from Evan, so she turned away and found a booth instead.
When they got there, Evan waited for her to sit before he slid into the seat across from her, but his dry look let her know he’d realized her strategy.
Well. Here they were. Sitting on opposite sides and silently taking each other’s measure. Jess rested her folded hands on the table, locking her gaze on Evan’s chin. “So. What did you want to talk about?”
“A lot of things.” He selected a menu from the ones stuck in the holder by the wall and then glanced through the plastic-covered pages. “I take it you’re getting the meatloaf. What else is good here?”
“Everything.”
“That’s quite a recommendation.”
“You’ll see. This place is—”
“Here you go.” Marian placed a paper placemat, a mason jar of water, and a wax paper packet of silverware at each of their places.
“Thanks,” Jess said. “I’ll have—”
“The meatloaf dinner.” Marian’s mouth split into a wide grin. “With green beans, garlic mashed potatoes, and an iced tea.”
“You know me too well.”
“There’s something to be said for routine.” Marian scribbled the order on her notepad. “What about you, Mr…?” The waitress eyed him expectantly.
“Graham,” he said.
I Loved You First Page 17