Chapter 14
Eve
Maxand I walked through the farmer’s market hand-in-hand. The weather is perfect for spending time outside, which is good because we’re here now then heading to the music festival for the rest of the day.
“This is bigger than I thought it’d be,” I said.
“It’s definitely grown over the years.” He gestured to the right. “Winnie’s down that way.”
I turned and we followed the makeshift road, stopping at various vendors along the way. The temptation to buy all the things was strong, but I restrained myself. I don’t want to have to lug tons of stuff on the plane. I’ve been collecting business cards along the way from people who have online stores so I can order once I get home.
“I may buy some things and just ship them before I leave.” I shrugged. “It’s nice hand-picking items instead of ordering from a website.”
We approached a booth of organic lotions. I picked up a bottle that I recognized.
“Aunt Winnie made me a welcome basket and this was in it. It smells amazing.”
I popped open the top and sniffed then held it out for Max to do the same.
“Mmm, that smells like you.” His smile was pure sin. “And I agree, it’s amazing.”
Since I’ve been slathering myself with it after every shower, it makes sense that he’d recognize the scent.
“I’m going to grab this, I”m almost out.”
“It’s on me.” Max took the bottle out of my hand. “After all, it brings me so much pleasure.”
He leaned down and brushed his mouth against mine before stepping over to pay.
“Excuse me.” I turned toward the voice. “Aren’t you Everly Reese?”
“Yes.” I’d raised my voice at the end of the word, turning it into a question, so I added more confidently, “Yes I am.”
“Oh my God! I can’t believe I’m meeting you.” She shook my hand and held on as she continued. “You’re my favorite author. I’ve read every single one of your books, some multiple times. I can’t wait for the new release in a couple weeks.”
She finally paused for a breath so I took the opportunity to jump in.
“I’m so glad you enjoy my books. What’s your name?”
“Mona.” She’d never released my hand and started shaking it again. “Mona Potter.”
“It’s nice to meet you.”
“Oh my God. I still can’t believe this.”
I felt Max return to my side and introduced him. He must have overheard our conversation, because as he shook her hand, he said, “So you’re a big fan of Everly’s?”
“I am,” she said. “Anytime I see a book signing, I always check to see if you’ll be there in hopes that I could meet you.”
“I’m sorry. I haven’t done signings in a few years.”
At the beginning of my career, I did some signings, mostly connected to writers’ conferences I attended. Now I do signed paperback sales a couple times a year instead.
We chatted for a few more minutes, mostly about my books and Mona’s love of them. But she also mentioned how happy she is to see I’ve moved on from my divorce with a “nice, hot boyfriend.”
“Email me your information and I’ll send you an ARC of the new book.”
She screeched, drawing the attention of several people walking by. They continued moving when they realized nothing bad was happening.
“I can’t believe I’ll have the book early. Thank you so much!”
“You’re very welcome,” I said.
Max took a picture of Mona and me both on her phone and mine, and we continued on our way to Aunt Winnie’s booth.
“I feel like I’m with a celebrity.”
“I’m in shock,” I said. “I’ve never been recognized in public before.”
If I was surprised to be recognized, I was even more so when I saw Henry Corbin in Aunt Winnie’s booth. Not by it, just visiting. In it, wrapping a painting in brown paper.
“Are Aunt Winnie and your grandfather together?”
“That’s a complicated question, but the simple answer is no.”
Before he could expand on that, we approached the booth and joined the crowd that surrounded it. Aunt Winnie may be hippy-dippy but she’s also a shrewd businesswoman and when people find out she’s selling her paintings in person somewhere, they come out in droves.
She saw Max and me and excused herself from the people she was speaking with.
“I figured we’d stop by, say hi, and confirm dinner plans,” I said. “We had a couple ideas but didn’t really decide what we’re doing.”
“Henry is joining us so how about if we just meet you at The Rusty Skipper at six? Does that give you enough time at the music festival?”
She directed that question at Max. Which makes sense because I honestly have no idea.
“More than enough,” he said.
More people approached the table, a few of them pointed at Winnie.
“We’ll let you get back to your adoring fans,” I said. “See you at six.”
She gave both Max and me a kiss on the cheek and we both said goodbye to Henry before heading toward the exit. On the way out, I slowed and looked at every booth, fighting the urge to stop.
“You can stop if you want,” Max said.
“No, that’s fine. We’ve already been here longer than planned. I’ll come back before I leave to buy some things.”
He looked like he was going to say something but stopped when someone called his name.
Max
I lookedover to see Dex and Courtney approaching with the twins. Thank God. Eve has mentioned going back to Scranton multiple times today. Talking to them will be a nice distraction to keep me from saying something stupid like, “Maybe you should stay longer.”
Eventually I will say that, but like Pop always says, “There’s a time and a place for everything.” On the way out of the farmer’s market is neither of those.
I introduced Eve to Dex and Courtney.
“And those sleepy guys are Andrew and Aaron,” I said.
“They’re so adorable,” she said.
“We come here every week and plan the outing for nap time,” Courtney said.
“That’s smart.”
“Thankfully once they’re out, they’ll sleep through anything.” She smiled at her husband. “Just like their father.”
“I should act insulted, but I can’t,” Dex said. “She’s right. I can sleep anywhere and through anything. All in all, it’s a good trait to pass on to kids, right?”
“From a mother of a former colicky child who didn’t sleep for almost a year, I say it’s a great trait to pass on,” Eve said.
I listened to them talk about sleep schedules and other baby-related things for a few minutes before Dex totally changed the subject.
“I was actually going to call you,” he said. “Do you have a roofing nail gun I can borrow for a day? I’m helping Courtney’s dad replace the roof on his garage and if you remember, the last time I did something like that with a hammer, my hand was curled into a fist for a week.”
“That’s his story and he’s sticking to it,” I said to Courtney.
“You’re an ass,” Dex said, even though he was laughing.
“Maybe, but I’m an ass with an extra roofing nail gun. In fact, it’s in my truck.” I looked at Eve. “Do you mind hanging out here with Courtney and the boys while we go grab it?”
“No, not at all,” she said.
I gave her a quick kiss and Dex and I headed to my truck.
“So that’s Eve.”
“That’s Eve.”
“She seems nice. Things are still going well?”
I hesitated for a second before saying, “Yeah.”
“That didn’t sound very confident.”
As we approached the truck, I used every second before retrieving the nail gun to figure out what to say to that.
“I really like her, Dex.”
“So what’s the problem?”
I looked down at the ground and rubbed the back of my neck.
“For one thing, she’s leaving in a month.”
“And for another?”
“I haven’t told her about my past yet.”
“Do you think it will matter?”
“I don’t see why it would.” I shrugged. “But Pop seems to think it will.”
The fact that I was a child star is kind of a well-known secret in Seaside, especially with the older folks. It was more of a thing when I first moved here, but after twelve years, no one really cares or talks about it.
“What do you think?” I asked.
“Could go either way.”
I handed Dex the nail gun and we headed over to the next aisle to put it in his truck.
“I’m gonna ask her to extend her trip.”
His eyes rounded.
“Do you think she will?”
I’ve been thinking about that for the past week and still don’t know the answer.
“No idea.”
He patted me on the shoulder as we walked back to the entrance of the farmer’s market. The sight of Eve made me smile.
“I’m sorry you’re in turmoil here, but you have to understand how enjoyable it is for me to watch. The guys and I have been wondering when you’d fall. And that sappy smile leaves no doubt that you’ve fallen hard.”
“I’m not denying it.”
“Then you just have to put yourself out there and hope for the best.”
Eve and I are going to enjoy the music festival today, and then tomorrow we’ll have a serious talk.