by Darcy Burke
He exhaled in relief. “I need to go work now though. Is that okay? I have to get these ideas out.”
“Absolutely. We can call her when you’re done. Come over for salad—spinach-free—and leftover pizza later.”
“Deal.” He kissed her again, and when he stood back, he smiled. “Thanks.”
Then he picked up his sweater and coat, leaving her to stare after him and wonder how she’d found herself in this utterly unique—and dangerously endearing—situation.
EVAN PUT HIS phone on speaker and set it down on the table. He took a deep breath as the sound of Michelle’s phone ringing filled the apartment, and then glanced nervously at Alaina, who sat beside him. They’d called Michelle last night, but she hadn’t been home, so he and Alaina were trying again before heading over to Georgia’s for Evan’s celebratory dinner.
“Evan?” Michelle picked up, and her voice jarred Evan, taking him back to the time they’d spent together. Maybe Alaina was right—two years was a pretty long investment without any payoff.
“Hey, Michelle.” He looked at Alaina, who gave him an encouraging smile as she twirled a pen between her fingers. She had a notepad in front of her on the table so she could write notes if Evan got stuck. They’d rehearsed the first part, and he recalled the plan. “I, uh, I got your texts, and I wanted to call you to talk.”
“Color me shocked.” She sounded irritated enough that Evan could pick that up, even over the phone. “To what do I owe your attention at last?”
Evan looked at Alaina in question. She wrote, “I’m really sorry I didn’t call sooner. I should have. I’ve been really busy reconnecting with my family.”
Evan nodded and repeated what she’d written down.
Michelle sighed into the phone. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you apologize for anything. Your family is a good influence.”
Evan pointed at Alaina and mouthed “you,” then smiled.
Alaina’s eyes sparkled as she wrote, “Now apologize for the way things worked out.”
Okay, he could do this. He took another deep breath to forge ahead. “I’m really sorry about how things worked out between us. I think we had different expectations. I thought things were still pretty casual, and I guess you didn’t.”
“Why would I when I introduced you to Jake?” she snapped. She exhaled. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to be mad at you. I still love you. I’m just hurt.”
He winced and couldn’t bring himself to look at Alaina. But then he felt her hand cover his, and his wobbly senses came back into alignment. “I didn’t realize meeting Jake signified that you were taking things to the next level. You know how I am. I didn’t get it.”
“I should’ve been more explicit,” she said. “Are you . . . Are you happy back in Ribbon Ridge?”
Evan couldn’t help looking at Alaina now. “Yes.” Alaina blushed.
There was a beat of silence before Michelle said, “I was sort of hoping you weren’t, that you missed me.”
Alaina wrote on the paper, “A part of me will always miss what we had—we had a great time together. But I just don’t feel the same way that you do. I’m so sorry, Michelle. Especially about Jake. He’s a great kid.”
That was a lot to say, Evan thought, but he powered through it.
“You sound different,” Michelle said. “More confident or, I don’t know, more talkative.”
Alaina clapped her hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle. Evan mock-glared at her with a half-smile. “I admit I rehearsed a bit for this call,” he said. “It was important for me to communicate with you as clearly as possible to avoid any further misunderstandings.”
Alaina’s eyes widened, and she drew her finger over her throat to indicate he should stop. Apparently he’d said something wrong. He frowned, but Alaina shook her head and mouthed, “You’re doing great.”
“So I guess this is it, then?” Michelle asked.
“Yes. I wish you all the best.” Evan’s heart began to slow as the conversation drew to a close.
“Thanks. You, too, Evan. I won’t pretend I’m not disappointed. Brutally disappointed. I miss Which Way Wednesday. I still have the little spinner we made.”
Oh shit, please do not go into detail about the game we played regarding sexual positions. Not with Alaina sitting here. He glanced at Alaina, who was staring at him in frank curiosity.
“My favorite is still—”
“Michelle, I have to go. I have a family dinner.”
“Okay. Thanks for calling. I love you.”
“Bye, Michelle.” He cringed as he hung up, wishing she hadn’t said she loved him again in front of Alaina. He wanted to crawl out of his skin with the awkwardness of it.
“That went well!” Alaina set the pen down. “What’s Which Way Wednesday?”
“Uh, we should go.” He stood up from the table and stashed his phone in his pocket.
She also stood, and he couldn’t help but appreciate the red knit dress that hugged her curves and accentuated her breasts in an incredibly distracting way. She’d brushed her hair to the side and had it pinned in back so that it cascaded over one shoulder. He wanted to bury his face in the soft, fragrant waves and just lose himself in Alaina. Probably to banish the conversation he’d just had.
“You’re not going to answer me, are you?” she asked.
“Trust me, you don’t really want to know.” Even Evan, with his penchant for cluelessness, knew his girlfriend wouldn’t want to hear about his past sex life with the woman she’d just helped him finish breaking up with. If that’s what he could call it. Hell, he didn’t know what to call any of it. This is why relationships were not in his wheelhouse.
Alaina went to the bar and picked up her purse. “I will trust you.”
He breathed a sigh of relief as they left the apartment and went down to his car. On the way to Georgia’s, they debriefed the conversation a little bit, but Evan was anxious to put it behind him.
“Do you feel a little bit better having talked to her?” Alaina asked.
He wasn’t sure. It had felt odd, like a blast from the past even though it hadn’t been that long ago. “I guess. I’ve just moved on, so talking to her felt a little like stepping backward.” Especially hearing that she was still so attached. He did feel bad about that.
“Sometimes we have to take a small step back in order to move ahead. At least that’s been my experience. It’s always good to think about the road that led us here.”
He wasn’t sure he understood everything she said. “Is that what you do? Why?”
“Yes, because it helps me appreciate all that I have. I don’t ever want to take my life for granted. Maybe being with Michelle helped you grow emotionally and become the man you are today—even if you don’t realize it.”
He thought about that for a minute and realized Alaina was right. Just having that conversation with Michelle wasn’t something he could’ve done before. But he credited that to Alaina, not Michelle. She was the one helping him grow.
“What a cute restaurant. Love the bay window and the sparkly lights,” she said, breaking him from the deepest thoughts he’d had in a long time, as he passed the front of the repurposed house and pulled into the driveway that led them to the back parking lot.
He parked the car. “It’s not terribly impressive from back here.” He glanced up at the deck affixed to the upper floor. It sported a blooming vine in the summer as well as various pots of flowers, but in February it was dark and empty, without even the four or five tables that filled it in warmer months.
He got out and went around to open her door.
She took his hand and stepped out, her sexy boots—which she’d cleaned up from yesterday—encasing her even sexier legs. Their fingers remained twined as they walked to the back door, which he opened for her. She entered a small hallway, and almost immediately they were met by someone clad in all black with a white half-apron. “Hi, Evan. Go on upstairs. I think Carla is up there taking drink orders.”
Evan tried to remember the woman’s name but was drawing a blank. “Thanks.” Evan gestured for Alaina to precede him up the narrow staircase.
She let go of his hand and started up, then looked back at him over her shoulder. “I suppose her knowing you is just part of living in a small town?”
“Yes, and I would’ve introduced you, but I couldn’t remember her name.” His brain jarred. “Nancy, maybe? Or Susan? I don’t know, some mom-name like that.”
She laughed. “ ‘Mom-name’ is hilarious.” She waited for him at the top of the stairs. Conversation drifted toward them from the front of the house. “Is it this way?” She turned toward the sound.
“Yeah.” He put his hand on her lower back and walked with her to the doorway leading to the private dining room.
“Alaina, Evan!” Mom came toward them, a bright smile lighting up her face. She hugged Alaina and then kissed Evan’s cheek. “Congratulations.”
“You’ve already told me that.”
“So, it’s a celebration, and I’m your mother. I can say it as often as I like.” Her eyes twinkled. He liked seeing her so happy.
“Here’s the guest of honor,” Dad said, clapping him on the shoulder. “We’ve got your favorite wine poured over on the sideboard, and Georgia let me bring a pony keg of Crossbow, since that’s your favorite.”
“That was nice of her, since you refuse to let her serve it.”
“Is that right?” Alaina asked. “Why wouldn’t you want your beer poured everywhere?”
“Because I want them coming to my pub to drink it!” Dad leaned forward and kissed Alaina’s cheek. “You look lovely tonight. Thank you for joining our party.”
“I wouldn’t miss it.” She curled her arm around Evan’s waist and snuggled against his side. They’d talked about tonight—not hiding their relationship status and ensuring the two people who’d be serving them would keep her identity and presence in town secret. Evan had talked to Tori about the latter, and she’d taken care of it. Right after profusely apologizing for the near miss yesterday with the news van.
Evan looked around the room to see who else was already here. Besides his parents, there were Derek and Chloe and Sean and Tori, all of whom were over at the sideboard getting drinks. He turned to Alaina. “Do you want a glass of wine?”
“I’d love one, thanks.”
He left her with Dad while he went to get wine for her and a beer for himself.
“It’s the man of the hour,” Derek said, clapping him on the back. “Chloe cannot stop talking about your artistic plans for The Alex. Sounds like you two are going to be a tour de force.”
Chloe grinned. “Definitely. I was feeling kind of uncertain, since this is my first Archer project from the ground up, but working with Evan has eliminated that. It’s good to have a partner.”
Evan agreed. He never would’ve thought so, having always preferred to work alone, but things seemed different now. Maybe he’d just finally reached a place in his life where he was ready. Like with Alaina. He glanced over at her talking to his dad and still couldn’t quite believe how things were going. Realizing that he’d taken things a step further with her than with anyone else—his conversation with Michelle had confirmed that—had forced him to open his eyes more than he ever had before.
Kyle and Maggie arrived next, and as always happened, the energy in the room changed now that Kyle was in it. He brought humor and a sense of festivity everywhere he went. It was a gift that for the first time Evan wished he had. Envy wasn’t something he typically felt—ever. But watching Kyle reminded him of Alaina. She lit up a room the same way she lit up the screen. And he preferred the background, the shadows. How could he possibly keep up with her?
“Can I get you a drink?” Sean asked Evan.
“Yeah, a glass of wine for Alaina, and I’ll take a beer.”
Sean poured the wine while Derek set down his glass to draw the beer.
“I could’ve done that,” Evan said to Derek.
“Yeah, but you’re the guest of honor. Let us wait on you and make a big deal.” He grinned as he handed Evan the beer. He raised his voice. “Everyone needs a glass so we can toast Evan.”
“But Sara and Dylan aren’t here yet,” Chloe said.
“We’re here, we’re here!” Sara jumped into the room with Dylan right behind her. “Sorry, Dylan got stuck at the site. As usual.”
“True,” Dylan said with a half-smile. “Did someone say something about glasses? Because I’m in desperate need of a beer.”
“Dude, there’s Crossbow.” Kyle had come over to get drinks for himself and Maggie. “And Evan’s favorite pinot, natch.”
Evan took Alaina her wine. She slipped her hand around his waist again and gave him a squeeze. He was glad to have her here with him. He felt less overwhelmed than ever before in this big of a group. In fact, he didn’t really feel overwhelmed at all. He had to credit Alaina and the way she made him feel—grounded, confident, secure.
Once again, deep thoughts—like that old Saturday Night Live skit they used to watch as kids—overtook him, which was odd in itself. He wasn’t typically prone to reflection, but it seemed like things were changing. He was changing.
When everyone had their drinks, Dad cleared his throat. “I’d like to propose a toast to Evan. We’re so lucky to have the best creative director around working for Archer. He’s going to launch us into the next exciting phase of Archer Enterprises. To Evan.”
“To Evan,” everyone said, raising their glasses.
“To Evan,” came a singular voice from the doorway. Liam stood at the threshold, his left arm in a sling. “I’d toast you, brother, but I don’t have a beverage.”
“Liam!” Mom rushed over and hugged him. He wrapped his free arm around her and kissed her cheek. She pulled back. “Why didn’t you say you were coming?” She turned to look at the room at large. “Did any of you know he was coming?”
“I didn’t,” Evan murmured, and the general consensus was that no one had.
Liam cut through the room and shook Evan’s hand. “Congratulations.” He leaned forward and said quietly, “I’d say I’m surprised, but I’m not.”
Evan looked at him curiously but didn’t say anything.
Liam let go of Evan and transferred his attention to Alaina. “So this is the girl who’s finally caught my little brother’s eye.” He leaned toward Evan again, and this time his tone was more stage whisper than private comment. “Good choice.”
Alaina took her arm from Evan’s waist and shook Liam’s proffered hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“For now. Once you get to know me, you might think I’m a bit of an ass. Most women do.” He flashed a brilliant smile, one that ought to have made him as much money as Alaina’s did.
Alaina cocked a brow at him. “Then it’s a good thing I have extensive experience with assholes. Comes with my job.”
Liam laughed, and others joined with him. It was the sort of conversation that moved at a thousand miles an hour, and Evan could almost never keep up.
And that’s how it went for the next little while. Everyone chitchatting, Evan glued to Alaina’s side and trying desperately to stay engaged. Where Kyle was the fun in a room, Liam was the hustle. He worked a crowd better than anyone, including his own family. A measure of the overstimulation Evan typically experienced in a group this size began to creep in.
He leaned down and whispered in Alaina’s ear. “Will you be okay for a minute while I grab some fresh air?”
She lightly touched his chest, and just that simple gesture gave him comfort. “Sure. Do you want me to come with you?”
“No, I’m good. I’ll be right back.”
He wove through the room, and no one stopped him. They all knew what he needed to do to regulate.
He crossed the narrow hallway to the small dining area at the back of the house and threaded through the handful of tables to the door that led to the deck. Letting himself outside, he took a deep breath. A faint mist fell, so he kept
to the overhang of the house.
After a few minutes, his equilibrium was restored for another go-round. He pushed away from the exterior of the house just as the door opened. Liam came outside.
“Hey, feeling better?” he asked. He’d pinned his wineglass between his injured arm and his chest to open the door and now freed it. “I would’ve brought you another beer, but I’m out of hands.”
“I see that. How is it?”
“Better now. Hurt like a bitch for a few days, but I’m off the oxy now. Just a steady dose of ibuprofen and maybe a hit of good weed now and then.” He chuckled. “One of the nice things about living in Denver.”
“It’s legal here now, too, not that it would induce you to move back home. I know you’re not a big pot smoker.”
“No, and even if I were, it wouldn’t get me back here.” He sipped his wine. “I’m surprised you came back. I thought you were pretty happy with your little niche up in Longview. Great job, nice apartment, no-strings friendship with benefits . . . Why’d you leave that?” It sounded like a casual question, but he watched Evan intently.
“I was just ready for a change. I wanted to come back and help with The Alex.”
“And take his job.”
Liam wasn’t known to mince words. Like he said, he was also known to be an asshole—and unlike he said, not just with women. “You always know just what to say to be a prick.”
“I know. It’s a gift. But I’m actually not trying to be in this case. You did the right thing. You’re already better at this job than Alex was, and that’s completely okay. Do not let that stop you from going after what you want. Or who you want.”
“What does that mean?”
Liam paused in lifting his wineglass to his mouth. His eyebrows arched. “Alaina Pierce? Dude, she’s out of my league.”
Evan snorted. “Hardly. You’ve dated more than one supermodel, if memory serves.”
“I don’t know that they were actual supermodels. Okay, one of them was in Sports Illustrated.” He took a drink of wine. “Still, Alaina freaking Pierce. You’re a total stud.”
Evan didn’t know how to respond to that, so he didn’t.