Chapter 8
Chapter
Eight
EVIE
Evie's stomach fluttered with nerves as she approached the restaurant.
Through the frosted windows, she could see Asher already seated at a table, fiddling with the menu.
Her heart gave a little skip at the sight of him in a festive green sweater, his sandy hair neatly combed.
He was a handsome man in his own quiet way.
Something that was easy to forget since he had a way of putting everyone at ease.
She paused outside the door, taking a deep breath to steel herself. This was just dinner with a friend, she reminded herself. No pressure. But as she smoothed her sweater one last time, doubts crept in. What if she said something stupid? What if there were awkward silences?
The cheerful jingle of bells announced her entrance. Asher's face lit up as he spotted her, rising to greet her with a warm smile that relieved some of her tension.
"Evie! You look lovely," he said, pulling out her chair.
"Thanks," Evie smiled back, feeling a blush warm her cheeks as she settled into her seat.
The restaurant's cozy atmosphere enveloped her, the soft lighting and festive decorations creating an intimate mood.
She caught a whiff of cinnamon and coffee grounds, reminding her of Shepherd for a fleeting moment before she pushed the thought away.
"I'm so glad you could make it," Asher said, his blue eyes crinkling at the corners. "I was worried you might be too busy with the bakery this time of year."
"Oh, it's been hectic," Evie admitted. “But since Adrian has Ollie, I have a little bit of time on my hands." She picked up her menu, scanning the options without really seeing them. Butterflies were still racing around, causing a mix of excitement and nerves fluttering in her stomach.
"How are you holding up with Ollie away?" Asher asked gently.
Evie's chest tightened at the question. She swallowed hard, forcing a smile. "It's been...an adjustment. The house feels so empty without Ollie's laughter and endless chatter."
Asher reached across the table, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. The warmth of his touch sent a little jolt through her. His hand was warm and comforting on hers, and she managed a small smile, grateful for his understanding.
“And it's tough knowing he won’t be here for Christmas,” she admitted softly.
Asher nodded sympathetically. "I can only imagine. Kids have a way of filling up every corner of your life."
Did he say that with a hint of longing, she wondered?
The waiter approached then, and Evie withdrew her hand to check the menu again, but her mind was still half on Ollie. What was he doing right now? Was he missing her as much as she missed him?
"The pot roast here is excellent," Asher suggested. "Comfort food for a chilly night."
"That does sound good," Evie agreed, pushing maudlin thoughts of Ollie aside. She was here to enjoy herself, not wallow.
As they placed their orders, Evie found herself relaxing. Asher had an easygoing charm that put her at ease. His blue eyes crinkled warmly as he asked about the bakery's holiday preparations and how she was coping with the festival, as well as juggling her Santa’s Helper role.
"It's been absolute madness, but at least it keeps me busy," Evie admitted with a rueful laugh. "I'm up to my elbows in gingerbread and peppermint bark from sunup to sundown. But I love it."
She took a sip of the Cabernet Sauvignon Asher had ordered to complement their meal, savoring the rich flavor.
The restaurant's cozy atmosphere enveloped her, soft lighting and festive decorations creating an intimate mood.
For the first time in days, she felt the knot of tension in her shoulders start to loosen.
"I can imagine," Asher said. "The toy store's been a zoo, too. But seeing the kids' faces light up makes it all worthwhile."
His enthusiasm was infectious. Evie found herself leaning in, drawn by his warmth and genuine interest. When their food arrived, savory aromas wafted up from the plates, and her stomach growled appreciatively.
As they ate, conversation flowed, and Asher regaled her with amusing stories about the toy store's holiday rush.
"And then there was the dad who insisted on testing every remote-control car himself," Asher chuckled. "I thought he'd never leave!"
Evie laughed, picturing the scene. "Sounds like you have just as many big kids as little ones in your shop."
It was hard to imagine this man once had a far more cut-throat role. “So, you don’t miss being a hot-shot lawyer?” she asked, curious.
Asher shook his head decisively. “Absolutely not! That was a soul sucking job if ever there was one. I’d choose being happy any day.”
Amen to that.
As they finished their meal, Evie realized she'd barely thought about Ollie or Adrian all evening… or Shepherd. Asher’s gentle humor and genuine interest had drawn her out of her own head.
When the waiter cleared their plates, Asher's expression grew more serious. "Evie, I hope you don't mind me saying this, but... I've really enjoyed spending time with you tonight. I'd love to do this again sometime, if you're interested."
Evie's heart fluttered. So, this was a date after all.
She was just processing that little tidbit when Shepherd approached, looking even more grumpy than normal.
Evie stiffened but refused to let his rejection show. There were other fish in the sea, as Posy would say, and she was having an enjoyable evening with one of them.
Nevertheless, Evie's pulse kicked up as she met Shepherd's intense gaze.
His dark eyes flicked between her and Asher, and she could practically see him grinding his teeth.
For a moment, the restaurant's cheerful ambience faded away, leaving only the three of them suspended in awkwardness. Well, it felt awkward to her. Maybe the men didn’t notice.
But what the hell was Shepherd doing, stopping by while she was having dinner with Asher, when he’d done his level best to avoid her all week?
"Evening," Shepherd grunted, his gruff voice cutting through the tension.
Evie's cheeks flushed hot. She fumbled for something to say, hyper-aware of Asher's questioning look and Shepherd's looming presence.
Okay, so Asher wasn’t oblivious.
The wine she'd enjoyed earlier now churned uneasily in her stomach, but she could still be the bigger person.
"Hi Shepherd," she managed, hating how breathy her voice sounded. "Fancy seeing you here."
Shepherd's eyes narrowed slightly. "Just picking up takeout," he muttered, holding up a paper bag as if in explanation.
An uncomfortable silence stretched between them. Evie's skin prickled with awareness. She caught a faint whiff of Shepherd's familiar scent, and it sent an unwelcome flutter through her chest.
Damn him! Nope! Not going there.
Asher cleared his throat. "How's business at the coffee shop…”
“What are you doing, having dinner with another man?” Shepherd’s irritated voice interrupted Asher’s friendly attempt at civility.
Seriously? This was the way he wanted to play it?
Evie stared at Shepherd, stunned by his outburst. Her cheeks flushed hot with a mixture of embarrassment and indignation. Who did he think he was, demanding answers about her personal life after ignoring her for days?
"Excuse me?" she managed, her voice tight. "I don't see how that's any of your business."
Shepherd's jaw clenched, his dark eyes flashing. "It is when you're out with someone else just days after we—" He cut himself off abruptly, glancing at Asher.
Evie's heart pounded. She could feel Asher's questioning gaze on her, but she couldn't tear her eyes away from Shepherd's intense stare. The restaurant's cheerful atmosphere felt oppressive now, closing in around her, and she felt like everyone was looking at her. Judging her.
"After you what?" Asher asked, his usually jovial tone edged with confusion. "Evie, what's going on?"
Evie's stomach churned. This was not how she'd imagined the evening going. She opened her mouth, scrambling for an explanation, but Shepherd spoke first.
“After we shared an evening of intimacy.”
OMG! He did not!
Oh yes, he did. Shepherd made it sound like she’d slept with him, the ass!
“It was a movie and a kiss, after which you avoided me… until right now, it seems,” Evie retorted, seething inside at his highhandedness.
Evie's cheeks burned as she glared at Shepherd. How dare he barge in and make such insinuations? Her heart rate kicked up, a mixture of anger and mortification coursing through her veins.
"A kiss?" Asher's voice was quiet, laced with hurt. "Evie, I thought..."
She turned to him, desperate to explain, but the words caught in her throat. His blue eyes, usually so warm and kind, now held a glimmer of betrayal. Evie's stomach twisted with guilt.
"It's not what you think," she managed, her voice small. "Shepherd and I, we're not... It was just..."
But how could she explain the complexity of that night? The comfort she'd found in Shepherd's presence, the unexpected spark when their lips met? And now here he was, ruining everything with his caveman act.
Shepherd loomed over their table, his jaw clenched tight. The paper bag in his hand crinkled as he gripped it harder. "You didn't waste any time moving on, did you?" he growled.
Evie's normally placid temper flared. She stood, hands planted on the table, her blood boiling as she glared at Shepherd. How dare he barge in and make such accusations? Her hands trembled slightly as she willed herself to stay calm.
"You have no right to question who I spend time with," she hissed, struggling to keep her voice low. "Especially after you ghosted me."
Shepherd's dark eyes flashed dangerously. "I wasn't ghosting you," he growled. "I've been busy."
"Too busy to even acknowledge me when I came into your shop, even though I saw you run for cover?" Evie shot back. Her cheeks burned as she remembered the humiliation of being brushed off. “Too busy to pop in for the cinnamon buns I saved especially for you? I mean, I’m right next door - so it’s not exactly out of your way.”
Asher cleared his throat awkwardly. "Look, I think there's been some kind of misunderstanding here. I’m sorry if I’ve stepped on your toes, Shepherd.”
Her dinner companion’s expression was deliberately blank when he turned to her, but his words were scathing. “Evie, I don’t appreciate being led on. You should have told me you’re involved with Shepherd. I expected more of you.”
She flinched at his harsh tone. Part of her wanted to apologize and shrink away, but she’d done nothing wrong, damn it. In the end, righteous indignation overrode her instinct to back down.
"Don't you dare talk to me like that," Evie said, her voice low and biting.
Shepherd smirked, so she included him in her ire, and to hell with all the townsfolk who had stopped even pretending to eat and were focused on the show.
“That goes for you, too. How dare you! Both of you. I’m not in a relationship with anyone.
I don’t owe either of you anything. And quite frankly, after this little pissing contest, I’ll consider myself fortunate that you’ve shown your true colors.
I lived with one asshole, and I certainly don’t need any more. ”
She pulled out several notes and flung them on the table, determined to pay for her own dinner. “Good evening, gentlemen.”
With that, she walked out without looking back and with her head held high, even though she knew she’d be embarrassed by tomorrow’s gossip.