Chapter 25
Everly
As anniversary parties go this one is flawless.
To be fair I don’t have a frame of reference, but the twins do.
Their parents are Hollywood royalty, so they know parties and even they’re impressed.
They float around charming everyone they talk to.
The more I hang out with them, the more effortless it becomes to do the same, much to Allie and Ashley’s delight.
I’ve drawn the line at running my social accounts but regularly agree to in-person events and promotion. It’s becoming muscle memory and not as grueling as I once feared. Plus, the twins moonlight as my stylists, so that goes a long way to making me feel comfortable in my skin, less awkward.
Speaking of skin, the dress they insisted I wear is by far the prettiest I’ve ever worn.
They call it the naked dress, which I must admit is quite accurate because it hugs every piece of my body it covers, which isn’t much.
Hitting just below my ass cheeks and the color of muted flesh, it makes quite a statement.
That I’m not drowning in self-consciousness is a testament to my inner growth.
The fitted slip dress style drapes over my torso and leaves no room for a bra. I’ve also never felt prettier.
Standing at one of the tall bar tables scattered around the backyard patio, the twins, Lilly, Noah and Seth and I clink our champagne glasses together on cue at Ashley’s anniversary toast. He, Allie and Julian stand on the makeshift stage, rolling out future plans for the guests—mostly investors, employees and influencers.
“One more announcement before we let you eat, drink and be merry. Ever, can you join us up here?”
I smile for the crowd and set my glass down, swinging my eyes between my friends. What was I just mentally bragging about? Self-confidence? Yeah, sure, okay. “Uh, unexpected,” I mumble to them through smiling lips. Louder, I say, “Be right back.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, friends, colleagues. May I present Ever Tate, the face of our next phase—fitness psychology. At ASH, we want a complete picture of health, so this next year, we’re delving deeper into the mind-body connection.
A concept that was brought to us by this intelligent and innovative young mind, Ever Tate. ”
The heat on my cheeks tells me they’re flaming, but I step onto the raised platform to the applause from our guests, smiling—hopefully—like I do this every day.
I raise my hand in thanks and hopes of subduing the ovation.
“Thanks, everyone. I’m not big on public speaking, so I’ll just say it means the world to me that Ashley and Allie embraced my ideas.
A year and a half ago, I found myself in a dark place and found solace in fitness.
The thing that surprised me most was the change in my mental state.
The more I exercised, the clearer and calmer my mind grew.
That took me down a rabbit hole of discovery that I felt compelled to share with others.
I’m excited for this next phase and so grateful to ASH for the opportunity.
True transformation starts in the mind. Train your body.
Rewire your mind. That’s what we hope to achieve with Ever Fit.
Cheers.” I move across the small stage to hug Allie and Ashley.
As I retreat to leave the stage, I hug Julian, too, mostly because it would look awkward not to.
His hand on my hip is searing, his touch electric.
It shouldn’t surprise me—it’s always like this with us—but still I suck in a quick, sharp breath at the contact.
His words push every ounce of air I just inhaled from my lungs. “Helluva dress, Ever. You’re stunning.” His lips brush my cheek in a polite formality, the words for my ears only.
“Thank you,” I murmur and meet his eyes.
I swallow at the hunger I see there, mirroring my own.
Wet heat pools on the thin fabric of my thong as I step off the stage and walk through the tables and guests.
Once back at my table, I say to the group, “I need a minute. Be right back.” I make my way across the patio and around the corner to my cottage.
Inwardly cringing, I slip inside to quickly don a new—dry—thong.
There’s no one around to witness my mortification, yet my cheeks are on fire.
Coming out of my front door, I almost collide with Taya. “Ever. Hi.” She braces my shoulders from the near miss.
“Taya.” A genuine smile takes over my face. “And Mitch. Hi, nice to see you.” He shakes my hand formally. “I didn’t realize you were coming, but I’m glad you’re here.” And I mean it. Seeing them gives me a warm fuzzy feeling in my chest.
“Yeah, Jay—Julian asked if we’d come.”
“I’m glad he did.” I hope I’m conveying more than I’m saying.
I wasn’t lying when I told Julian that while I study it, implementing is still a work in progress.
I’m committed to navigating it, so I guess that starts with embracing the opportunities that arise.
“I’m sorry I’ve been MIA. I just needed some time. ”
“No need to apologize. I get it. And time must agree with you because you look stunning.” Her hands on my shoulders trail down my arms until she’s holding my hands out wide at our sides, taking me in.
My cheeks flame anew at the descriptive word. His word.
“Thank you. Stop.” I release her hands and flap them at her. “Let’s go get you guys a drink.”
“Yeah, sorry we’re late. Traffic.”
“No worries. Plenty of party left.”
We stop at my table and I introduce her to the twins before Lilly, Noah and Seth greet them familiarly.
We move to the bar where Julian is in an animated conversation with Auz.
When he sees Taya, he pins me for a moment to gauge my reaction.
I reach out and slide my hand along his forearm, where his gauzy white button-down shirt sleeve is casually rolled.
His smile looks relieved as he turns his gaze to Taya, hugs her, then shakes Mitchell’s hand. “So glad you guys made it.”
“Ran into some traffic. Sorry we’re late,” Mitchell says, then orders two champagnes from the bartender.
I want to try harder, so I add, “Taya, let me take you to say hi to Allie and Ashley.” She takes her champagne flute from Mitch and walks with me to the edge of the stage.
“How is he?” She doesn’t play games, and I appreciate the candor.
“He seems so good. Different. In the best way.”
“Right? I think so, too. Therapy is agreeing with him.”
“That you know he’s going again says a lot. He’s been very open about . . . everything. It’s refreshing. Oh, hey, I got into Pepperdine. I start this fall.”
“Oh my God, congratulations. Guess we’ll be seeing each other on campus.”
“I’d love that.”
“Me too.”
The formal party carries on for another two hours.
As the guests dwindle, it morphs into a pool party.
A local band sets up on the stage and begins playing popular covers.
Before I can dip out and change into a swimsuit, Julian’s deep baritone hits my ear from behind.
“Can I get one dance with you in that dress before it’s gone? ”
“If I can get one with you in your . . . formalwear?” I giggle as I say it because the tan linen pants and soft white shirt are as formal as I’ve ever seen him.
Usually clad in workout attire, he makes quite a mouthwatering picture.
His skin looks tanner against the crisp white; his dark hair shines and his blue eyes rival the sky.
He’s still the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. “Also, I didn’t know you could dance.”
He takes my hand and with a half twirl he whisks me onto the dance floor as the band plays “Maybe I’m Amazed.
” I wonder for a moment if he planned it.
I decide I don’t want to know. I let him sway me back and forth as he says, “I’m not sure I do.
” Then he admits, “I just wanted a legit reason to hold you this close in public.”
“Shameless, but honest.” The people, the din of conversation, everything blurs and fades around me as I stare into his face. I want to freeze time. “How long are you staying?” I don’t want him to go. That realization sobers me.
“I leave tomorrow.” His smile is almost a straight line and a little sad. I turn my head and rest my cheek on his pec. I breathe him in, his smell so familiar it makes me ache.
Don’t go. “I wish you didn’t have to leave. So soon,” I amend when I realize what I implied.
“Why?” He stops swaying and leans back, his eyes bouncing back and forth between mine. “I mean . . . what do you mean?”
“I just wish we had more time.” I squeeze the hand gripping mine, curled against his chest as we dance.
He nods contemplatively. “How much time?” He arches an eyebrow and begins swaying again when the song changes to something more upbeat.
I shake my head slowly, caught off guard. “I just . . .” I shake my head some more.
“What do you want, Everly? Tell me.”
“More time,” I repeat. “So we can talk. Without all this.” I wave my hand around to indicate the party, the people.
“Okay.”
“Okay, what?”
“Okay, I’ll stay.”
“You will?” I stop dancing now and grip his biceps. He nods, grinning widely. Forgetting our surroundings again, I throw my hands around his neck and hug him.
He must forget too because he lifts me off the ground and spins me in a circle. We realize the spectacle we’re making at the same time, because he sets my feet on the ground as I cover my mouth with a giggle.
“C’mon, let’s go put our suits on and go for a swim.”
“I’ll meet you back here in five.”
“Race ya.”