The quiet gleam in his eye presented a challenge. “Definitely.”
She straightened up. “Okay. But I have to dunk this again now that the glaze has dripped off.” She swirled the treat in the bowl once more before guiding the fork toward him.
He opened his mouth in time to eat the bite-sized piece. A small drop of honey butter clung to his lips.
“You’ve got…” she started to say, but Calvin licked it off before she could finish.
“You’re right. They’re way better that way.” He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “This place is great. I actually just discovered it last week. Came here with Parker and my dad.”
“So you guys lived in Colorado,” she said, briefing their conversation from earlier. “How long have you lived here in Ogden?”
“Since July.”
“Oh. So just a few months. And why’d you guys move?”
Calvin took a pull at his Coke before answering. “My dad got transferred to Hill Air Force Base in Davis County.”
“Was it hard to leave?”
He shrugged. “Not really.”
There was a blink of hesitation behind his response; it made her wonder if he’d left someone behind. A girlfriend, perhaps. “So you lived there your whole life, but it wasn’t hard to leave?”
He leaned back into his seat, seeming to appraise her in some way. “There was one thing that made it difficult.”
Evie wondered if this was the part–the dreaded moment he’d reveal something awful–like his long-distant relationship with some tall, voluptuous beauty back home.
“We grew up in this house, right?”
She nodded.
“I mean, it was a really great house. And we’d lived there our whole lives. Well when I was ten years old, my mother died.”
Evie sucked in a quick breath. “I’m so sorry.”
“They tried a million times over to transfer my dad to another base, but he always refused. He didn’t want to leave it–that home where we’d all lived together, you know? None of us did, really.” His eyes became fixed on something at the table. “I actually considered buying the place and staying behind. I mean, I was already looking to move out. But I couldn’t have done that to my father. I didn’t want him losing me and Parker too.” He looked back up to her. “And that’s the thing. Even though Parker didn’t want to leave, I knew he wouldn’t stay in Colorado without me. So that meant my choice, whatever it was, would be for the both of us.”
“You guys are close?”
“I wouldn’t put it that way. Parker gets into trouble a lot. He counts on me to bail him out.”
Evie took a sip of her iced water, set the glass next to a stack of plates and crumpled napkins. She couldn’t help but feel closer to him in that moment, knowing they’d both lived half their lives without a mom. “So leaving that house, it must have been like saying goodbye to her all over again.”
He rubbed his thumb along the edge of the table. “It was. Back at the house, I could visualize her walking down the hall in her yellow robe. Or look at the kitchen cupboards and remember the way she had to hop up onto the counter to reach the top shelf. She was short, like you,” he said, thrusting his chin toward her.
Yellowed light reflected in his brown eyes, adding a copper glow of warmth. She tried not to get lost in them as she realized something. Calvin was opening up to her–sharing a part of himself–inviting her in. She liked being there, close to his heart. Close to him. She wanted to reach out, take hold of his hand and close the distance between them.
“Now it’s back on you,” he said, straightening up in his chair. “You’ve lived here your whole life?”
She nodded, eyeing the waitress as she approached. “Here’s your check, you two.” She set the scribbled bill on the table and gave Evie a grin. “Be sure to tell your dad hello, Kiddo.”
“I will. Thanks, Jane.” She watched the waitress disappear around the corner. “That woman’s been working here forever.” When she looked back to Calvin, Evie caught him gazing at her, the look of contemplation on his face. She looked down at her hands, spun the silver ring on her thumb around and around.
Calvin slid his chair away from the table. “You’re off the hook until we get in the car,” he said, grabbing the bill. He came up behind Evie, resting his hand on her back as they headed up front.
While Calvin paid, Evie wandered over to the fountain, reaching into her bag for some coins.
“You ready to make a wish?” she asked once he joined her.
He held out his hand, and she placed the rusted penny in the warm fold of his palm, wondering what it would be like to hold his strong hand in her own.
She set her gaze back on the fountain streaming from the lion’s mouth. “Now if your coin lands in the top tier, it’s a guaranteed wish grant. If it lands in the next one down, we’re talking fifty-fifty chance of your wish coming true. If you miss the tiers completely, and it falls straight to the pool below, you’ll be granted good luck–but not the wish.”
He jiggled the coin within his loose fist. “Guess I better get it in that top tier then.” He arched his hand over his head as if he were about to shoot at the hoop and tossed the copper coin over the pointed spokes of the iron fence. Drops of water splashed as the penny bounced from the top tier. It fell into the one below with a plunk. “Fifty-fifty chance, huh?”
Evie nodded. “Not bad. Here I go.” She clasped the penny between her fingers and thumb, aiming for the small dot of light glowing from the highest tier. She recalled the countless times she’d wished on that fountain as a small child, ignoring the fact that her wish–the single dream she’d hoped for time and time again–had never come true. She paused only briefly to make a new wish, and let it fly. Spots of light hit the coin as it toppled over the bars, landing in the upper tier with a small splash.
She smiled at him. “Looks like I’ll get my wish.”
As they headed toward Evie’s place, the sunset’s rich, ruby glow poured over the night, enhancing the glorious color of Calvin’s honeyed skin. She took notice of the lines and shapes that somehow made up the most attractive face she’d ever seen on a man. Straight nose, strong, masculine jaw, lips full and perfect–so inviting she nearly ached with desire when she looked at them. She wanted to reach over and take his flawless face in her hands, just to ensure he was real, and if he was, kiss him perfectly on the mouth.
“Turn right at this next street and then follow the road until you hit the cul-de-sac,” she directed, realizing how close they were to her home.
From Calvin’s Jeep, with the fresh breeze fueling every breath, even her own neighborhood seemed brand new. Lush trees lining the streets whispered a greeting as the wind rattled their branches and leaves–some already glowing with yellowed hints of fall.
Calvin eased into the circle and, without asking which of the houses was hers, pulled into her driveway.
“How’d you know which house was mine?”
“The painting. I wondered if it was yours.”
She grimaced. “Oh yeah. Seriously, I liked that class better when we were analyzing historical art. I had no idea I was signing up to get my own stuff critiqued.”
Calvin tugged on the parking brake. “You did great on that piece. You shouldn’t worry about it.”
Evie wanted to protest, but that would only provoke further conversation on the topic, so she forced a slight smile instead. A familiar beat thumped from the speakers, offering the perfect distraction. “I love this song,” she said.
The look of amusement appeared on his face. “You like these guys?”
“Love them. This song’s on my running mix.”
He seemed to study her for a bit. “I wouldn’t have guessed that. This album’s extreme.”
A chuckle escaped her lips. “Well, I need something intense to keep up with me. My pace, I mean.”
He placed his hand on the keys, but didn’t shut off the ignition. Instead, he eyed the rearview. “You’ve got an amazing view o
f the lake,” he said.
Evie nodded. “I know. I love to come out, sit on that porch swing, and watch the sunset.”
“It’s a pretty one tonight, isn’t it?” he said, looking over his shoulder.
Evie looked back as well, and the action brought her face closer to his. They made eye contact as she answered. “Yeah. It’s beautiful.” She hoped the music covered the sound of the nervous gulp in her throat. “You should hang out for a while. Watch it set with me.” Her heart fluttered like moth wings once the words left her mouth.
Calvin draped his hand casually over the wheel, wordlessly searching her face through narrowed eyes. “That’d be nice,” he finally said.
It took work for Evie to keep the excitement off her face. As they stepped out of the Jeep, walked up the creaky steps, and took a seat in the old swinging bench, the words repeated in her head: Calvin Knight is here–at my house!
“So I’m not sure you finished telling me about your family.”
Evie looked down at the way Calvin’s denim-clad leg rested against hers, both unnerved and delighted by the closeness.
“You’ve got the stressed out sister with two kids, your dad, who’s a teen therapist…” He left it there, glancing at her expectantly.
It took her a moment to realize what he was asking. He wanted to know about her mom. She shrugged. “That’s everyone. My mother’s not in my life.” She should have elaborated, trusted Calvin with the truth like he had her. But hers wasn’t nearly as simple.
Through further conversation–topics that came easy and natural–the sun dropped beyond the Great Salt Lake, taking the warm band of red along with it. The sight assured Evie, in case there’d been any doubt, that their night would come to an end. A deep sigh fell from her lips. Time spent with Calvin was addictive. She wanted more.
“Well,” she said when a quiet calm fell over the evening, “thanks again for dinner. And for the ride home. I had a great time. Oh, and thanks for lending me your jacket, too.” She climbed off the seat and unzipped the black hoodie before shrugging out of it.
Calvin stood as well, taking the jacket while meeting her gaze. “My pleasure.” As she stepped around him toward the door, the awning light came on, casting a splash of yellow light across the porch.
“Someone inside?” Calvin asked.
Evie peered up at the light, glad her father had worked late. “No. It comes on automatically.” She turned back to Calvin and, though she’d been with him for the last several hours, felt suddenly intimidated by the sheer attractive quality of his face. With the light casting its golden glow, the evening had shifted into a darker shade of dusk. The entire world faded into hues of blue and grey–all but Calvin. He stood among the blending tones of twilight–a warm world of color before her.
Her face flushed with heat, and she looked down at the welcome mat, nudging it with the toe of her shoe. The newspaper rested just beside it. The newspaper. She hadn’t thought of that paper–her routine of scanning the obituaries–even once.
Evie glanced back up at him, hoping whatever emotion she was feeling couldn’t be read from her face. What was she feeling? Amazement that Calvin had made her forget about the ritual. And also, the stubborn urgency to get her hands on that paper now that she knew it was there.
“Your eyes,” Calvin said, “they’re greener than I remember.”
Evie shrugged. “Well, they sort of change color depending on the lighting or what I’m wearing. They can look blue, or green, or both. It’s weird.”
“No, not weird. Unique,” he said. “They’re beautiful.”
“Thanks.” She resisted the urge to gush about his eyes in return. The melted seas of rich, chocolate bliss.
He stepped closer to her. “Looks like that pencil held up.”
“Yeah.” Chuckling, she raised her fingers to the imperfect array. “Guess I can pull this out now.” She tugged on the pencil, allowing the long strands of her hair to fall over her shoulders and down her back. As she slid the pencil into her bag, Calvin reached toward her, catching a lock of blond hair with his hand. He curled the tip around his finger, lazily spinning up the length of it. The light, lulling action caused her scalp to tingle. Waves of excitement fanned through her body.
“I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time,” he said, dropping his hand back to his side.
“Do what?” she asked.
“Touch your hair. Curl the ends around my finger.” He smiled. “I shouldn’t have admitted that.”
Evie became preoccupied by the hint of longing in his voice. “It feels nice,” she admitted in return.
“Does it?” He reached out once more, secured another lock in his grasp and wound it around his finger, his penetrating gaze fixed on her.
Her heart pumped stronger–faster–as she took note of the magnetic spark dancing in the breeze. The nearly tangible flicker of chemistry kindling between them, evident even in the loaded air that rushed across her tongue with her next breath. She recognized the familiar moment of anticipation–the feeling she might get while contemplating between a kiss or hug goodbye. Of course neither seemed appropriate yet, but that didn’t change the strange new desire that pulled her in. It didn’t stop the cool dart of exhilaration that shot through her body as she admired the sculpted shape of his mouth.
Calvin moistened his lips as his gaze fell on hers. He released her hair and reached his hand around the bend in her arm, cupping her elbow in his palm.
Her blood rushed to his touch, pulsed longingly beneath his fingertips.
“You know, we really shouldn’t be doing this,” he said, his voice low and hushed.
“Doing what?”
His thumb traced over the tender skin along her inner arm. “Getting acquainted. Spending time together.”
“Why not?” A sick thump pumped at the base of her chest while she waited intently, watching as the look in his eyes changed to something she couldn’t place.
“Because we’re partners now, in art. We were supposed to pair with someone–”
“Oh, someone we’re not acquainted with, that’s right. Geeze.” She brought her hands to his chest, intending to give him a playful push, but Calvin caught her wrists and held them in place, allowing her to feel the sculpted contours beneath her palms.
“Don’t tell me you’re a rule breaker,” he said.
I’m not. “Maybe I am.” She squelched the ruffled energy that nudged at her nerves, disturbed by the darkness that snuck in with Calvin’s suggestion–the mere idea that perhaps they shouldn’t be spending time together.
He released her wrists. “I think in this case, we’re alright.”
With a hint of regret, she pulled her hands away and secured the bag over her shoulder. “Well, thanks again. I really had fun.”
“Me too. And maybe you’ll give me an answer to that question soon.”
“What question?”
“What kind of guy gets a second date with you.” With that, he backed down the steps and strode to the Jeep.
Evie’s smile grew wider as his Jeep slipped from view. Once he was out of sight completely, she spun in place, releasing a squeal of excitement. She couldn’t believe her night had been real; it all seemed more like a beautiful dream.
After stepping inside, she slumped into the couch, eyeing the paper in her hand, wishing she could simply walk away from it and cure herself of the dreaded habit. Instead, Evie slid the elastic band off the crisp roll and spread it over the coffee table, her heart working up to its frantic rhythm. Let’s get this over with.
Chapter Six
As Calvin approached the stoplight, he fisted the sweatshirt Evie had worn and pulled it to his face, inhaling the lingering scent of sweet honey, warm and inviting, like her. She was magnetic. Intriguing and beautiful. Fragile and innocent. Never had he been so drawn to a woman the way he was to her.
While staring at the red traffic light glowing before him, his mind shifted–moved like rusty gears to a dark place in his head–
the ominous dream he’d had about Evie loomed there. A cold chill crept up his neck, rippled over his body, and caused him to shudder.
The light changed and he sped onto the open road, recalling the poem Grandpa used to recite. Like a rhythmic echo the words played in his mind, carried out by the sound of his grandfather’s voice, deep and foreboding. The final lines stood out above the others: Robbed by murder–is the one you love most. A victim of–the Raven-haired Ghost.
He shook his head in frustration. It’d taken years to assure himself those words were nothing more than a wild tale. And now, after one miserable dream, the gripping fear was sneaking back into his life.
He wouldn’t let it. He was too interested in Evie to let some silly family legend distract him. He wanted to know more about her. Everything there was to know. It was odd; the waitress had mentioned her father, but not her mom. And when asked about her family, Evie hadn’t brought up an ugly custody battle or tragic loss. She’d offered only the simple statement that her mother wasn’t in her life. Of course, Calvin hadn’t revealed a whole lot about himself either.
Still, he hoped to discover more about Evie. He was glad he’d asked her to partner with him–was looking forward to learning about her past. The question was, how much more of his own past was he willing to share?
***
“I told you he had a thing for you,” Kelly said, opening the passenger door to Evie’s car. She propped a piece of toast between her teeth and pulled on a jacket before climbing in.
Evie glanced in the rearview while backing up. “You told me he had a thing for me?”
“Yes. All guys have a thing for you.”
Evie’s eyes widened. “Is that a joke?”
“No. Every guy wants the cute little goody-goody girl in school.” The phrase rolled off Kelly’s lips like it was common knowledge.
“Are you kidding? No guy wants the goody-goody in school.” She took a brief second to consider that truth of it, and then shrugged. “Not that I care.”
Kelly shook her head. “Look at Tyler–and all his friends for that matter–they knew you’d probably never date anyone like them and they still chased you for years. It’s like the ultimate hard to get.”
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