Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
Chloe
I stand near the glass door and sip my tea while I scan the face of every man who enters the café. I know that I’ll recognize Evan as soon as I see him even if I have no idea if he’ll be wearing a suit and tie, jeans or gym clothes.
This is the third morning that I’ve stood in this spot waiting until eight fifteen before I head out the door and walk two blocks to my office.
When he didn’t show on Monday, I convinced myself it was because he didn’t want to appear too eager. Yesterday, I decided that reason he wasn’t in the café was related to a busy schedule. It’s Wednesday now, and I’m running out of excuses for why he’s not here.
That’s not entirely true. I do have an idea about why he hasn’t walked through the entrance. Saturday night was fun, but maybe when dawn broke on Sunday morning, he realized that our one-night stand needed to remain a memory from his past and not become part of his future.
I look down at the screen of my phone. It’s now seventeen minutes past eight, and I have a client meeting me at my office in thirteen minutes. If I leave now, I’ll make it with little time to spare.
I start toward the door trying to subtly push my way past the people walking into the café. Ever since this place opened a year-and-a-half ago, it’s been steadily becoming more popular.
There was a time when I could walk in and have my tea in my hand within three minutes. Now, I’m lucky if I get in and out in twenty.
“Hey.” A hand brushes against my shoulder. “What are the chances that I’d see you here?”
I’d know that voice with my eyes closed. It’s deep and comforting. I turn toward the man who is now standing beside me. “I’d say you had at least a ninety percent chance of seeing me here since you do almost every Wednesday morning.”
He leans down to kiss me square on the forehead. “Those are good odds.”
“Spoken like a true poker champion.” I reach forward to adjust the dark scarf around his neck. “Did you walk all the way here from your place?”
My stepbrother, Rocco Jones, gives me a curt nod. “It’s ten blocks. If I can’t walk that far in sub-zero weather, I shouldn’t be living in this city.”
I study his ruggedly handsome face. The tip of his nose is red, his blue eyes are watering and his dark brown hair is pushed back from his forehead. “What’s her name, Rocco?”
“Who?” He cups his hands together in front of his mouth and blows on them. “What are you talking about?”
“You haven’t shaved in days. That’s usually because you’ve been holed up somewhere with a woman. So, who is she?”
“This is insulation from the cold.” He rubs his hand over the light beard that is covering his jaw. “I have a meeting this afternoon, so it’ll be history before noon.”
Rocco’s life couldn’t be any more different than mine. He made a small fortune playing professional poker before he invested in a game app that blew up worldwide. Now, he spends his time funding the business ideas of others.
My days are devoted to employment law.
“I have to get to my office.” I reach up to give him a quick hug. “I’m going to Pop’s for dinner tonight. Can I count on you coming? Nash and Luke will be there.”
“The infamous Jones family dinner, “ he drawls. “When’s the last time we all had dinner with Pop? You know how emotional he is when all four of his kids are sitting around the dining room table.”
I know how emotional he is. I know how I am too when I hear any of my three stepbrothers refer to me as their sibling. Even though my surname is still legally Newell, I’m a Jones in every way that counts.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” I glance back at the entrance, but there’s still no sign of Evan. “I’m going to work. I’ll see you tonight.”
“Who is he?”
“Who?” I try to keep my tone light. Rocco is the eldest of my brothers and he’s always been the most protective of me.
“The guy you keep looking for.” He stares past my shoulder at the entrance.
“No one, “ I say with a sigh. “I’m not looking for a guy.”
It’s not a lie. I’m done waiting with bated breath for Evan to show up. I got my hopes up that I’d see him again but I need to resign myself to the reality that we had one night together and that’s where our story ends.