Integrity snapped her mouth closed, took a breath, and steadied herself. Yep, Evan, she thought. Definitely Evan, even if he is all fancied up.
He had yet to actually look at her, and merely glanced now before returned to what he was doing. “Ready?” he asked.
She had to clear her throat. “Yes.”
“Good.” Evan slid the phone into his pocket, walked right past her to the door, and opened it, waiting for her to go through. He stared studiously at the blank wall opposite his position.
Integrity walked past him, then down the stairs, listening for the click of the door closing behind her. She couldn't hear Evan following, but somehow sensed that he was behind her. It took incredible self control not to glance back. Do not look, do not look, she chanted to herself, determined to remain as aloof and cool as he.
She walked to the passenger side of the car, then pulled her hand back as Evan's appeared on the handle. He popped the door open, held it while she slid into place, then closed it gently behind her. She fumbled with the seat belt, giving all of her attention to sliding it into the slot, then sat back and stared straight ahead. Evan climbed in, reversed, then pulled from the hotel and onto the street.
The ride seemed interminable, though Integrity knew that was only her mind playing tricks on her. She was desperate to ask where they were going, but the silence in the car was far too solid for her to break, given her weak state of mind. She settled for remaining mute, focusing her attention on not fidgeting. He's still the Evan you know, she told herself, dragging her eyes away from the highly polished dress shoe resting near the pedals. Just chock it up to one of his mood swings.
Evan eventually turned onto a quieter street, then into a circular driveway in front of what appeared to be a large, fanciful chalet. Stopping beside a lit fountain, Evan climbed from the driver's seat. As Integrity went to open her door, an attractive man of about 20 opened it for her, then offered her a hand. She took it self consciously, and rose from the car. Evan tossed the young man his keys, then turned to Integrity and asked, “Shall we?” He waved toward the entrance to the building, surrounded by small, twinkling lights. Integrity gave him a smile, hoping it wasn't a weak as it felt, then moved toward the entrance with him.
Another well dressed young man opened the door for them, then an older gentlemen swooped toward them and asked, “Jones, party of two?” Evan nodded at him, and the man led him to their right, through a doorway that opened into a large, rectangular room, scattered with round, cloth draped tables, each lit by a single taper. The maitre d' led them to a central table, held Integrity's chair for her, then informed them that Enrique would be with them shortly.
Integrity took in her surroundings, hoping to subtly get a grip on Evan's current frame of mind the in process. The ambient light was impeccable, providing enough light to see comfortably, but not enough that one felt exposed to the other diners. The color palate was muted, except for the occasional flash of burnished gold here and there. The nearest window looked out over a small, but lovely, garden to the rear of the building.
Integrity allowed her gaze to trail over Evan, but only in passing. She shifted uncomfortably when she saw that he had angled his chair slightly away from the table, distancing himself from it, and her. He looked as though he were at a table alone, rather than being the instigator of the whole event. Integrity forced herself to still, not wanting to let him know how his actions were unsettling her. She glanced around the room at the other diners--anything to avoid looking at Evan. An attractive man across the room raised his water glass to her as their gazes met, and she hurried to look elsewhere, flushing, hoping that he thought she hadn't seen the gesture. I never have liked being caught staring. She shifted her gaze out the window, trying not to allow the dim reflections of the diners, and Evan, to draw her attention.
“Hello, I'm Enrique.” The voice of their server was well modulated, soothing, and Integrity was instantly grateful for the distraction he provided. She turned to look at him and he held a leather folder out to her. “Miss Jones,” he said, then offered the second menu to Evan, saying, “Mr. Jones.” Turning back to Integrity, he continued, “We're so glad that you and your brother have chosen to share your birthday with us. May I interest you in a bottle of wine, to celebrate the occasion?”
Integrity was still struggling to form a response, no longer used to having strangers speak to her, when Evan broke it. “I'm afraid my sister is still underage,” he said, his tone light, friendly, completely opposite of what it had been back at the hotel. Even outside of the restaurant, he had sounded as though he were walking to his doom, rather than to a meal in a fine restaurant.
“Surely, you must be teasing me!” Enrique said, turning to Evan. “A woman cannot look this beautiful and be any less than 21.” He turned back to Integrity with a flirtatious smile. She dropped her gaze, uncomfortable, thinking that the waiter was only trying to increase his tip. Although, I have to admit, he does sound convincing. Must be lots of practice.
“Unfortunately, she has just turned 18,” Evan replied amicably, playing the part of the proud brother perfectly. “Perhaps some sparkling cider, instead?”
“Certainly,” Enrique replied. “I will return momentarily.”
Integrity almost leaned forward and spoke her thoughts, then remembered Evan's prior chill, and restrained herself. Man, I'm used to people at Westmarch talking like that, but not people in the real world. A disturbing thought hit her, and her stomach flinched. Is he a vampire, too?
Integrity had forgotten to look at her menu when Enrique returned with two champagne glasses and a dark green bottle. He removed the cork in it, then poured them each a glass. Evan ordered for the pair of them. Enrique deftly scooped up the menus and left to place their order.
The silence returned, and Integrity was gazing blankly out the window, thinking what a sucky birthday present an awkward dinner is, when she heard someone clear their throat off to her left. She turned, expecting to see Enrique, and was taken aback when she recognized the man from across the room. “May I offer my compliments to the birthday girl?” he asked. He slid his boutonnière from his jacket and held it out to her, an easy smile on his face.
“Oh, uh, thank you,” Integrity said, hesitantly taking the flower from his hand. Her thoughts reeling, she stopped him from turning away and asked, “How did you know it's my birthday?” Just keep him talking. Anything is better than listening to the Man of Silence over there.
The guy grinned sheepishly. “I heard your waiter.” Still smiling, he scuffed one shoe against the plush carpet. “Eating alone tends to bring out my stalker tendencies.”
Integrity laughed. “Listening to a waiter doesn't quite qualify as stalking.” She was a little surprised to find herself flirting, but there was something about the guy's manner that made her relax. She smiled at him. “I'm Integrity,” she said, extending her hand.
“Luke,” he responded, taking her hand in his own. Her mind flashed to the dream Luke, with the scarred face, and she floundered. Realizing she was still holding his hand, she hastily dropped it. Luke said, “Well, I'd better get outta here before your boyfriend decks me.”
“Oh, he's not my boyfriend.” Integrity cringed inwardly at how quickly she had corrected his misconception, but forged on. “This is my brother--” she hesitated for a moment, “John.” She wanted to glance at Evan, but she knew that he would be unhappy that she'd used her real name.
The man turned to Evan and extended his hand. “It's nice to meet you, John.” Evan crossed his arms across his chest and nodded at the newcomer. “Well, then,” the man said, awkwardly. He turned to leave again, flashing one last glance at Integrity.
“Why don't you join us, Luke.” Evan's voice sounded friendly, even encouraging. Integrity shot him a look, not sure what his game was. “Eating alone is bad for the digestion, after all.”
“Well, if you don't mind,” Luke replied. “I'll just grab my drink.” He moved back across the dining room to his table.
“What are you doing?” hissed Integrity. “Have you lost your mind?”
Evan looked back at her, a wry smirk on his face. “Just doing my best to make your birthday memorable.” Integrity leaned back in her chair, trying to decipher his motives, when he added snarkily, “I saw the way you were watching him.”
Integrity barely had time to blush before Luke returned. He grabbed a chair from the closest table, spun it around, and sat down between Integrity and Evan, facing the window. “I must say, this has turned out to be a much more appetizing meal already!”
Є
Evan remained silent as the meal progressed, only speaking when Luke asked him a question directly. He only picked at his food, moving it around more than eating, and Integrity imagined she saw him grimace once or twice at the taste. She refused to let herself think about what he would rather be eating.
Luke was witty, his conversation engaging and funny. As the meal drew to a close, Enrique brought out a fancy little cake with a single lit candle on it. Integrity was afraid for a moment that he would start singing, embarrassing her in front of such a posh group of people, but he only wished her happiness and glided away.
“Oh, I'm so full I don't think I can eat it!” she said with remorse, looking at the decadent chocolate.
Luke scooped up his dessert fork and said, “I'd be happy to help you.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her. Turning to Evan, he added, “You'll help, too, won'tcha, buddy?”
Evan, looking distinctly surly for the first time since they had entered the restaurant, only grunted in response. As an afterthought, he gave Luke a tight smile. “You go ahead. I'm not feeling well.”
As she and Luke picked at the cake and laughed, she noticed a rather stately blonde woman approaching their table. She hovered by Evan's shoulder, waiting until he looked at her. “Would you care to dance?” she practically purred.
Integrity started to snort, but quickly turned it into a cough. She grabbed her glass and sipped at it in an effort to keep from laughing out loud. The woman shot her a dirty look, making self control that much harder. If it weren't for the blonde hair, we could be right back at Westmarch with Jydda following Evan around like a sick puppy. She forced herself to turn her attention back to Luke, who was looking at her with a question in his eyes, waiting to join in her mirth. She saw Evan rise and move away with the woman without speaking. Integrity laughed behind her hands as they left, trying to keep quiet.
“What's so funny?” Luke asked, half laughing just at her merriment.
Integrity shook her head. “She just reminded me of this girl that always followed...my brother around.” She'd almost said “Evan,” and she felt some of the giggliness leave her as memory of her situation returned.
“In that case,” Luke said, laying aside his napkin, “why don't we join them?” He waited for Integrity to nod, then pushed back from the table, helped her out of her chair, and led her through the far doorway that Evan and the woman had just used.
The room was very similar to the one they had just left, except it sported an inlaid hardwood floor, no tables, and there was a baby grand at the far end. Integrity flashed back to Westmarch, comparing the to dos there to where she was now, and she thought that the setup here appeared a little chintzy. Fearing she was turning into a snob, she forced the thought aside and moved onto the floor with Luke.
There were only a handful of couples dancing, so it wasn't hard to spot Evan and his partner. Integrity laughed again when she saw the way the woman had draped herself on Evan, then sobered almost immediately. “What's wrong?” Luke asked, placing his hands around her waist, pulling her a little nearer than she had anticipated. Her chest tightened as her thoughts blurred.
“Uh, what?” she asked, trying to subdue her racing heart. She belatedly raised her hands to his shoulders, unable to muster the courage to link them behind his neck, even though she suspected that's what he wanted.
“You laughed, and then you went all serious,” Luke prodded, waiting for an explanation.
Integrity's gaze flashed to Evan again. “Oh, I was laughing at the way she's draped herself on him,” she said, stumbling a bit over her words.
Luke turned her slightly so that he could find the couple in question. He laughed, too. “A little desperate, eh?” Returning his focus to her, he asked, “But why did you get all serious?”
“She, uh, saw me,” Integrity fibbed, trying to ignore Evan, his partner, and the fear that was creeping into her stomach. It wasn't that she had feared offending the little tramp; far from it. Evan, standing stiffer than usual, appeared to be fighting with his self control. And, since he seemed to be glancing down at the woman's bear neck, only an inch or two from his mouth, Integrity doubted that he was debating whether or not to hit on her. If she doesn't move away soon... Integrity cut off the thought and returned her attention to Luke, smiling. Evan's a big boy, he can take care of himself.
Luke's faint cologne smelled insanely good, and Integrity was finding it hard to focus on what he was saying. She was glad when he drifted into a companionable silence, and then pulled her nearer. It was now much more comfortable for her to look over his shoulder than at him, and she allowed herself to close her eyes and breathe in his scent. She could feel his body heat washing over her in gentle waves. She rested her chin lightly on his shoulder, letting the soft sounds of the piano infuse her. Thinking of the complicated dance she had learned from Mitchell, back at Westmarch, she thought, Who needs the night teres, when there's middle-school rocking back and forth? she asked herself.
After a time, growing drowsy, Integrity's eyes drifted open. Almost immediately she saw Evan and his partner, and Integrity stiffened. Evan no longer appeared to be restraining himself. He was whispering something into the woman's ear as they slowly rotated. Integrity could see the woman's hand resting on Evan's chest. The woman's eyes were closed, and she was leaning into him more than ever. As they turned, Evan's eyes met Integrity's. Though he looked at her, his expression did not change at all as his lips continued to move. When they had turned enough to make it uncomfortable, he broke eye contact with Integrity once more.
Only then did she realize that she had stopped dancing. Luke, though he still had his arms lightly around her waist, had backed up and was looking at her in concern. “Are you okay?” he asked, then shifted himself enough to interrupt her view of Evan. “Integrity?”
“Oh, sorry,” she said, brushing one had over her hair self consciously. “I almost fell asleep there.”
“Not exactly what a guy wants to hear from a pretty girl, but...”
Integrity laughed, then hit his arm playfully. “Trust me, you're plenty engaging. It's just been a long day, and you make me feel safe.” She almost said “normal,” but caught herself just in time. No need to go explaining that one to him.
“Maybe I should return you to your brother, then,” Luke said reluctantly. When Integrity kept looking past him, trying to locate Evan, he dropped one arm and turned slightly. “Or maybe now's not such a good time,” he said, laughter interrupting his words.
Integrity felt like something was viciously jabbing into her throat. Her vision swam, the stationary objects shifting, blending into one another, but she couldn't deny what she saw, even then—no longer dancing, Evan and his partner were occupied with something else. They were kissing.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
The room still swooping and diving around her, Integrity propelled herself across the dance floor, narrowly missing an older couple who were waltzing. “Sorry,” she mumbled at them, still gazing, sickened, at the scene before her. Stopping just short of Evan and the woman, she said, a little too loudly, “Uh, John?” She had to really wrack her brain to come up with Evan's pseudonym.
Evan pulled his lips reluctantly away from with woman's, though only minutely. Without looking at Integrity, he grunted, “What?”
Aware that Luke had followed her over and was hovering near her elbow, Integrity said decisively, “I don't f
eel good. I need to go home.”
Still focused on the woman, Evan leaned forward, so slowly, and kissed her once more. Integrity cringed. “Sorry,” he murmured, breaking the kiss. “It's my kid sister's birthday. Gotta keep her happy.” He backed away from the woman, refusing to look at anyone else.
“I can take her home,” Luke interjected.
“Nah,” Evan responded evenly, turning to look at Luke. “It's no big deal.”
The woman stepped nearer Evan, murmured something in his ear, and pressed a slip of paper into his hand. Evan hesitated, torn, then turned on his heel and strode from the room. Integrity hurried to follow, fearful for the first time that he might actually leave her behind.
“Integrity!” Luke called after her. “Can I call you?”
She paused for a moment, calling over her shoulder, “I don't have a phone!” She waved distractedly and dashed through the door, having lost sight of Evan. She watched him go through to the entrance and hurried to catch up, not caring what the other diners must think of her. The front door was swinging shut just as she got to the foyer. Her childhood training kicking in, she called, “Thanks!” to the maitre d', who was holding a stack of money, and looked somewhat stunned.
Integrity shoved her way out the door, ignoring the doorman who stood to the side. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Evan waiting, impatiently, on the flagstones. He was tugging at his bow tie, watching for his car.
Integrity walked up beside him, trying to catch her breath. Her instinct was to apologize, but she was too wrought up. “What do you think you were doing in there?” she hissed at him, aware that there were only a few windows separating them from the crowd inside. Evan held up one hand to her, still watching for the car. “No! Wha--”
He cut her off, spinning unexpectedly to tower over her. “Don't.”
Integrity swallowed hard, took a step back. She had never seen Evan so close to loosing it. He turned back to watching for the car, still jerking at his tie. She knew that it would take very little for him to fly off the handle completely, so she bit her tongue, as anxious as he was for the car to arrive.
Evan: Book Two of the Destine Series Page 22