Chapter 35 Eve
THIRTY-FIVE
EVE
It’s day two of the market and set up starts in twenty minutes. We’re still not there. The hotel we ended up at in the storm isn’t far. I’m itching to get there, part of me still disappointed that I’m screwing up my first in person event.
In my head I know nature’s at fault. I can’t help feeling like it’s my own shortcomings. If I was ready to go earlier, or if we’d arrived the night before the market began this wouldn’t be a problem.
It was difficult to sleep last night. I’m sure I kept Cole awake as I tossed and turned. He didn’t complain, simply pulled me back into his arms once I changed positions and rubbed my back to help me doze off.
He startles me when he comes back from checking us out at the front desk.
“We’re all good. The roads were cleared out this morning.”
My heart leaps into my throat and I tangle my fingers in my sweater. “They are?”
He takes one look at me and crosses the room to stop me from pacing by the window. The knot in my chest loosens when he pulls me into his arms.
“It’s okay,” he murmurs. “I know you’re nervous.”
I didn’t voice any of my swirling thoughts. Didn’t have to. He understands why I’m still worked up about this.
“Remember what I said yesterday. You’ve got me every step of the way. Once we get there, it’ll be great.”
I swallow past the lump clogging my throat, clinging to him. “Thank you. God, I would’ve spiraled without you here. You’re my rock.”
“You think I’d let you do this alone? Nah. Of course I’m here for you.”
“Let’s go.”
We leave the hotel. I only spare a moment to admire the fresh snowfall sparkling in the morning light before getting in the car.
Time passes quickly in the car with the audiobook playing in the background. I don’t take in any of the information, but I appreciate the sense of normalcy to anchor me. We’ll listen to this part again on our way home tomorrow.
A slew of texts chime with a shower of support and love from the girls. Between the inside jokes that we’ve spent years collecting and their sweet messages, they make me smile.
Cole pulls up to the curb to help me unload. “Ready?”
I shake my hands out. “Yes. No.”
He catches my wrist, bringing it to his mouth to kiss. “You’ve got this, okay?”
I nod, invigorated by his unwavering belief in me. We load the plastic bins onto a cart. After hours of YouTube research, more experienced artists agree this is the setup to go with.
I see what they mean when one of them tumbles to the snow. Cole gets it, giving me a thumbs up once he brushes it off.
“It’s all secure. Doesn’t look like anything moved.”
My shoulders relax. We head inside the brick building, following another person who I assume is a vendor from their multicolored hair.
A kind yet frazzled looking girl with a clipboard pops up at my side when we pause to get our bearings in the main room.
“Hi, are you a vendor?”
“Yes. Eve Lombard, Sweet Luxe.”
She runs a pen down the sheet and checks me off. “Great. The storm’s totally got us turned around, so we’re checking you guys off as you arrive. You’ll be at table fifty-three.”
A funny sense of relief blooms in my chest. “Other people have been delayed, too?”
“Over half. Yesterday we only opened for a few hours into the day before we had to shut down early for the road closures. We’re so sorry about any inconveniences. Check your email later, we’re offering a discounted rate for our next event in Mystic to make up for this mess.”
I light up. “I love Mystic.”
Her nose crinkles with her excitement. “Me too! It’s my favorite event of the year.”
“I’ll definitely check that out.”
“Have a great event! My name’s Lena. Flag me down if you need anything, okay?”
“Okay! Thanks so much.”
She waves, bustling off to meet another vendor. I grin at Cole. He returns it with a soft expression, hand resting on the small of my back.
“Here, let me push the cart. You lead the way to your table.”
We weave through the room to find my row. It’s surreal to see my business name labeling the table.
“Is it weird if I save this as a keepsake for my first event?” I ask as he wheels my supplies behind the table.
“Not at all.”
The girl at the table next to me selling candles leans over. “I have a whole scrapbook page of my first time.”
“Thanks. That makes me feel better.”
I assess my space, battling the urge to do everything at once. I need to pick a place to start to tackle my setup in order.
“There’s power,” Cole confirms.
I clap. “Oh my god, there is? I can hang up the neon sign.”
“I’ll handle it. You go ahead and work on your displays.”
“Right.”
Setting up takes longer than I anticipated. I almost run out of time when someone announces the doors open in ten minutes. My neighbor and Cole help me get the last display shelf ready with moments to spare.
“Does this get easier?” I ask her.
“Honestly, I’m still wondering that myself and I’ve been at this for three years. But you just roll with it. Good luck today.”
“Thanks, you too.”
“Come stand out here a second,” Cole says.
“But they’re letting people in.”
“I want to take your picture so you remember this moment, too.”
My heart swells with affection. He takes a few, gaze flicking over the phone to me. Before he puts it away, I borrow my neighbor to have her take one of both of us.
“I don’t need to be in it,” he says.
I hug his waist. “Yes you do. I want to remember everything about today.”
He plays with my hair while she takes our photo. A mom and daughter wander over, browsing my stuff. My eyes widen. I didn’t expect to have anyone so soon. Cole thanks my neighbor while I jump behind the table.
“Sorry about that. How are you doing today?”
“Good. We wanted to come yesterday, but we’re glad we could make it out today,” the mom says. “This is where we do most of our holiday shopping.”
“That’s great! Thanks for supporting small business.”
“Mom, look at these.”
The daughter points out my eclectic earring collection. They light up at them. Glee fills me at their enjoyment right before my eyes.
“I have more options available online, and I take custom orders if there’s a shape you have in mind.”
“We’ll take these ones.” The mom nudges her daughter. “We like to match.”
“That’s so sweet. I’m also doing a special today for your choice of sticker if you buy two sets of earrings.”
The daughter picks one out while her mom takes the free business card sticker I made that has a smaller version of my no bad days design. I ring them up on my phone, pulse thrumming with adrenaline.
“My first event sale,” I murmur to Cole after they continue down the row.
He rubs my back. “See? I told you everything would be great.”
I hum, lifting my chin to meet him in a kiss. His palm fits to my cheek, caressing it with his thumb.
“What the hell?”
We snap apart at Benson’s surprised exclamation. What is he doing here?
My hand automatically finds Cole’s out of habit. It draws my brother’s attention, his brows flattening. He lifts his glare to Cole.
“Benny,” Cole says warily. “Take it easy.”
“How long have you been fucking around with my sister?”
Cole’s jaw clenches. “Don’t phrase it like that. We’re not fucking around. She’s my girlfriend.”
“We wanted to tell you,” I cut in. “We were going to.”
“How long?” Benson ignores me, staring Cole down. “When did you go behind my back to start this?”
“Her birthday,” he mutters.
Benson’s eyes bulge. “Fucking New Year’s?” He swipes a hand over his mouth until it dawns on him. “Christ, that time I came to pick you up in the summer. The secret girl I caught you with was my sister this whole time?”
I cringe. “Come on, Benny. Can we not?”
“No, I think we should,” he says. “Because I came all the way out here to make sure you were good after the storm, and I find out you’re both lying to me.”
The commotion is driving people away from my space and the vendors near me. My chest constricts with worry that I’m hurting their businesses.
Cole glances around, then circles the table to snag Benson’s arm. “Come on. I’m not doing this here.”
Torn between staying at my table and making sure things don’t get out of hand between them, I write a hasty be right back sign and dash after them.
Cole drags Benson down a deserted side hall off the main room. “Look—”
“Don’t you ‘look’ me.” Benson shrugs him off. “My sister, Cole? Really?”
“You got a problem with me and her?”
“I have a problem with you using her,” he snaps.
“I’m not,” Cole growls. “I’d never treat Eve like that. It’s not like you ever said I shouldn’t go for her. Do you think I’m not good enough for her?”
Benson narrows his eyes. “You said it, not me. I know how many girls you’ve run through.” His voice raises when he notices me. “My sister won’t be another one you’re with for a minute before someone else catches your eye. Eve—”
“Hey,” Cole cuts in harshly, shutting my brother up by grabbing his shirt and holding him against the wall.
“That’s enough. Say whatever you want about me, but I won’t let you make a spectacle of Eve.
Haven’t you already made enough of a scene?
We can discuss this later—hell, I’ll let you punch me if you feel the need to take a swing—but you’re not going to ruin her moment. ”
Benson’s silent, gaping from his best friend to me, then back. He drags a hand through his hair, considering us for another minute.
“Shit,” he mutters. “You actually care about her.”
“Of course I do,” Cole says. “Do you have a problem with that? Because if you’re going to be an asshole about me dating Eve, I’m telling you right now I don’t want you around her.”
“Guys. Don’t fight, please,” I say. “You’re best friends.”
I tug on Cole’s arm. He turns his back on Benson to hug me.
“It’s okay, Evie. He’s not controlling what we do. Either he comes around or he doesn’t.”
“Shit.” Benson slumps down the wall with a short laugh, rubbing at the dark circles beneath his eyes. “Okay, I get it. You love her, man.”
“I do. And I won’t let anyone hurt her. That includes her family.”
Benson nods. “You really have changed.”
“No, I haven’t.” Cole sighs, offering to help him to his feet. “I just never met anyone I wanted to be serious with. Not until her. So all that bullshit you were spewing about my past isn’t true.”
He mulls it over and accepts a hand up. “I’m sorry I didn’t notice.”
“You’ve been busy,” I say. “And Jess has been helping us keep it quiet.”
His brows jump up. “I knew I wasn’t going crazy.”
“So we’re cool?” Cole asks.
Benson hangs his head. “Yeah. I never imagined you’d go from helping me beat up the guys that made her cry to falling for her yourself.”
“I’ll still kick anyone’s ass that makes my girl cry.” Cole tugs me against him.
“Sorry.” He scrubs his face. “Seriously, all my brainpower goes to keeping my baby alive. I keep wondering how the hospital let us leave with her because it’s hard, terrifying work.
Feels like I’m running on like five minutes of sleep a day.
I didn’t mean to be a dick to you guys, I just—you surprised me. ”
“It’s okay as long as you’re not going to do anything irrational about our relationship.”
Benson waves me off. “Nah. Now that I’m thinking about it, you two actually make a lot of sense. Who else knows?”
“Just you, Jess, and my friends,” I answer. “We haven’t told Mom and Dad.”
“Okay. They won’t hear about it from me.”
I sag against Cole, relieved that my brother is back on my side. “We want to tell them soon. I don’t want to keep it secret.”
Benson follows us when Cole leads me back to my table. “Now I’m glad I didn’t bring Mom. She wanted to come with me, but she’s fussing over Jess and the baby.”
I smile, pointing at the opposite end of the room. “There are handmade ornaments sold down that way. I already ordered some for her, but you should bring her back more.”
“Good call.” He starts to walk off, then backtracks. “Hey.”
“Yes?”
“I’m proud of you. I should’ve started with that.”
“Thanks, Benny.”
He crushes me in a hug. “I’ll be back in a bit.”
Once he leaves, we exchange a look. Cole shakes his head in exasperation, drawing me in to kiss the top of my head.
“Think we should’ve brought him into the fold sooner?” I wonder.
“I’m just glad he came to his senses.”
“Me too. I really hope it’s not like that when we tell my dad.”
“I’ll tell him the same thing as I told your brother.”
Before I respond, a new customer comes up.
I greet her and ask about what she’s found so far at the market.
She compliments my book earrings and buys a set for herself and her sister.
The longer it goes on, the more I’m slammed with people.
I even have a line at one point. Cole takes photos and videos of me in action since I’m too busy to handle it myself.
By the time the event is down to an hour left, I’ve nearly sold out of the stock I brought. Only some of my earrings and stickers remain out of what I overpacked.
“I’d say you killed it at your first event,” Cole says.
I lace our fingers together, leaning into him. “It’s because of you supporting me. Bumpy road and all.”
“No,” he says fondly. “This is all you and your talent. You did it. How’s it feel?”
“Awesome.”
There’s something so magical about interacting with the shoppers in person today. Whether they bought something or not, it’s wonderful to see what catches their interest, and feel the sense of community from the other vendors.
A content smile curves my mouth. I did it, despite the struggles. Because I’m not perfect, and that’s okay.
As long as I have Cole to anchor me, I feel capable of anything I dream up.