Chapter 17
Tai wasn’t sure how he managed to get through saying grace without stammering or stuttering, but he silently thanked God for the miracle anyway. It was almost with relief when he muttered an amen and Evangeline removed her hands from his.
He needed a moment to think. To process.
It wasn’t that he hadn’t known he’d be affected by her touch, because he had suspected he would be. He was attracted to her, after all. No, what had surprised him was just how much he’d been affected.
It was kind of like someone wanting a tattoo and knowing that getting one would hurt, but it wasn’t until they were in the seat and the needle was jamming into their skin repeatedly for hours did they realize just how much pain the process would be.
Prepared, but not.
Totally not prepared.
Tai folded his fingers into two fists and brought his hands down to his lap, as if by curling his fingers he could hold on to the moment forever.
He wanted to shake his head and release his grip.
Tell himself he was being ridiculous and making more out of things than what was really there.
And maybe he was. At least, he was making more of what was there now.
But he had a feeling—a certainty, actually—that whatever this thing was between Evangeline and him was only going to grow and get stronger.
He glanced across the table to Evangeline. His Angel.
His Angel, who seemed to not be affected in the slightest.
His Angel, who was all but ignoring him, cutting a piece of meat with her fork and knife.
His Angel, who he’d had to coerce to even get her to give him the time of day.
His Angel, who had a telltale delicate blush to her cheeks that hadn’t been there before.
His heart lightened. Oh yes. This was not one-sided.
But a certain party was being particularly stubborn in ignoring the pull between them.
She had her reasons, he was sure. Ones he hoped she’d eventually share with him.
Although that wouldn’t happen until she trusted him, and she wouldn’t trust him unless she spent time with him and opened up to him. Two things he was currently working on.
He picked up his fork and stabbed a roasted potato on his plate. “So, now that I’ve demonstrated that I truly am a gentleman, it’s your turn.”
She dabbed at her mouth with her napkin. “Pardon?”
“The three questions. Don’t tell me you’re still trying to get out of answering.” She was, of course, but hopefully him teasing her would put her a little more at ease. “We’ll do the easiest one first. Do you, Evangeline—wait, what’s your middle name?”
“What’s yours?” she countered, probably trying to buy herself some more time.
“Always going to make me answer first, are you?” He’d play along. “It’s Albert.”
She blanched.
“What? You don’t like the name Albert? Take it up with my parents. Now, your turn.”
She reached for her glass and took a long drink of water. Suddenly, she stood, her jerky movements almost disrupting the tray a passing server carried in her hand. She apologized profusely, then sprinted away, an excuse of needing the restroom following in her wake.
Tai watched her go. What had just happened?
Newton’s third law of motion—for every action there is an equal yet opposite reaction—had completely been thrown out the window.
Retreat over revealing a middle name? Even if her parents had saddled her with something like Dorcus, running away while the blood drained from her face was an overreaction.
It was also a misstep on her part if she didn’t want to spike his curiosity.
Like a forbidden fruit, all he could think about now was her mysterious middle name.
Did it rhyme? Evangeline Tangerine Kelly?
Or perhaps it was embarrassing. Evangeline Bertha Kelly?
Bequeathed because she was a Big Bertha of a baby?
Or maybe she’d responded so strongly because they shared a middle name, or at least the feminine form of his. Evangeline Alberta Kelly?
Minutes ticked by, but she didn’t return. He was about to flag down a female server and ask her to check on Evangeline when she finally appeared and retook her seat, smoothing out her dress as she did so.
“I’m sorry, that was terribly rude of me.” She picked up her fork like nothing had happened and speared a morsel of food.
Tai cocked his head. “Are you okay?”
She pushed her lips into a false smile. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Maybe because—”
“Your questions. Which one do you want me to answer first?”
Tai’s brows rose. She was definitely flustered if she’d interrupt someone while they were speaking. No southern-bred woman would dare.
Yeah, he had to know what this secretive middle name was.
He folded his hands in front of him. “I’ve decided to offer you a three-for-one deal. We’ll save the previous questions for another time. Just tell me your middle name.”
The muscle in her jaw ticked as she set down her fork. “I may sound like a contestant on a TV game show for saying this, but no deal.”
“Howie Mandel is devastated.”
“I bet he is.”
“I’m not going to let this go, Evangeline Tullalulah Kelly.”
“Duly noted. And not even close.”
Tai grinned. “Fine. Do you, Evangeline Clementine Kelly, enjoy being yourself?”
She didn’t even bother trying to suppress her smile this time. It curved in a delicate bow, a soft and inviting slant that drew his attention. “You’re colder than a penguin in the Antarctic with your guesses.”
“Are you sure?” He couldn’t look away from her mouth. “I’m feeling quite warm, actually.”
Her smile froze, then dimmed. She looked away, but not before he saw a hint of sadness darken her irises.
Which made no sense. He could understand if his flirty comments embarrassed her or made her exasperated, but why would they make her sad?
“You shouldn’t say things like that.” Her voice was quiet, and she was again not meeting his eyes. Just like when he’d said she was beautiful.
“Why not?”
“Because you don’t mean them.”
His head jerked back. “Says who?”
She huffed out a breathy laugh that didn’t even hold an ounce of humor within it. “Guys like you never mean the charming things they say.”
“I’m glad you find me charming, but what do you mean by guys like you?”
She did a Vanna White impersonation and waved her hand in front of him. “The rakes, rogues, ladies’ men, charmers, flirts, silver tongues. Whatever you want to call yourselves. You say things you don’t mean. You love ’em and leave ’em.”
Tai regarded her. She seemed to almost be itching for a fight, and he was conveniently located nearby. “Is that what happened to you? Someone you love left?”
She turned her face away, her jaw set in a stubborn line.
“I hate to break it to you, but contrary to popular belief—or your belief, rather—I’m none of those things you just listed.
I may flirt with you, Evangeline Elly Mae Kelly—” Not even a flicker of response to his joke.
She must be really upset. “But that doesn’t mean I am a flirt or that my plans are to play with your heart. ”
She folded her hands in her lap. “We’ll see about that.”
“Yeah,” he said softly. “I really hope you will.”