Chapter Three
The jackhammer pounding away at my skull wakes me the next morning. That third glass of wine was a mistake. Before I can drag my hung over ass out of bed, there’s a knock at my door. Great. It’s not like I want to brush my teeth or shower before I face another human being.
“Who is it?” I ask, not recognizing the woman through the peephole.
“I have a delivery for Ms. Everly Hall from Mr. Reed.”
Seriously? It’s seven a.m. on a Saturday. The lady grins at me as if I don’t look like death’s grandmother. “Sorry to wake you, Ms. Hall, but Mr. Reed insisted I deliver these.” A thick manila envelope is placed into my hand.
“Thank you,” I mumble, but the woman is already halfway down the hall.
Deciding the package can wait until I can see clearly, I head for the shower.
My thoughts stray to Mason as I get cleaned up.
It’s not like I’ve never seen a hot guy before.
I’ve had a few, but I always know where to draw the line.
Never sleep with someone who works with me, lives near me, or is a friend of a friend. It makes things too awkward when the inevitable end comes. Relationships are temporary and it’s a hell of a lot easier to deal with that fact when you don’t have to see that person again after it’s over.
Dating Mason would be totally against my rules, but that doesn’t stop me from thinking about him.
I mean, maybe I could have him just once.
I’ve never seen him before at S.B. and I’ve been there for months.
Maybe it wouldn’t be an issue. Yeah, this is me trying to find a loophole.
I can’t wait any longer to see what he sent me.
I dress quickly and towel dry my hair before flopping on the couch with the package.
Evie is scrawled across the center of the envelope.
Christ, even his handwriting is sexy. When I tear off the end, twenty day passes to Adventure River slide into my lap.
He really sent passes for the kids! I’m confused by the twenty red paper wristbands I find next until I read the accompanying note.
Evie,
The wristbands are for unlimited rides at the carnival. Let me know if you need more. Remember to bring the other counselors. I want you all to myself for our date. I’ll be thinking of you, beautiful.
How am I supposed to resist this? He’s just arranged for fifteen underprivileged kids to spend a day at a waterpark and the evening at a carnival. Why is he doing this? To make sure I’ll go? If so, it’s working. I can’t cancel now.
After a piece of toast and some orange juice, my head feels much better, and though it’s not one of my usual days to volunteer at Building Tomorrow’s Child, I can’t wait to tell the kids. Danny, one of the boy’s counselors, answers the phone when I call. “Hi, Danny, how’s everything?”
“Just fine. Are you in today?”
“No, but I wanted to stop by. I have a surprise for the kids. Is it a good day?” Danny knows what I’m asking.
There are a lot of challenges in running a group home, and that simple question encompasses a lot of others.
Are there irate parents giving you shit?
Are social workers or cops coming to inspect? Is one of the kids having a bad day?
“Everything’s calm and peaceful, all things considered. Come on by. The kids will be glad to see you.”
“On my way.”
I can’t resist stopping at a donut shop on my way. “Sweet tooth?” The elderly man behind the counter grins as he takes my order for four dozen donuts.
“Fifteen hungry kids,” I reply with a laugh. “Half of them teenagers.”
His eyes drift to my B.T.C. pin. “You work at the orphanage?”
“At the group home, yes, I volunteer.”
“Well, aren’t you a sweetheart.” He gives me a wide smile. “I put an extra dozen glazed in there. I know how much a teenage boy can eat. Raised two of my own.”
“Thank you. That’s so kind. The boys will put them away,” I reply, dropping a few bucks in the tip jar.
There are times when I get frustrated seeing how little the average person seems to care about the plight of their fellow humans.
It’s all about getting the next new phone or the latest tablet.
Then I run into someone like the donut guy and I’m reminded the world is full of people who still care, who do what they can to help.
I’m mobbed by kids when I walk through the door of the group home. “Everly!” Justin cries, his skinny arms clamping around my waist.
“Hey, buddy! Are you having a good day?”
“Yep. Danny’s going to let me pick tomatoes!”
“That’ll be a hoot,” James says, his sarcasm thick enough to trip over. At fifteen years old, he’s our resident complainer.
“That sounds fun, Justin. Let’s go have a donut first, what do you say?”
“Yay!” All the kids cheer and follow me to the dining room. Two of the older girls pass out napkins and pour cups of orange juice.
After all the kids are settled and eating, Danny pops in and snatches a chocolate covered donut. “Sure, Ev, sugar them up and leave them with me,” he says with a smile.
“Just thought I’d make your day more interesting. Where’s Monica?” I ask, looking around for the girl’s counselor.
“Took Geneva to the eye doctor. They should be back soon.”
“Okay, guys, settle down. I have a surprise for you,” I announce.
“Our parents aren’t really worthless assholes who don’t want us?” James says.
“My mom wants me!” Justin cries.
“Real nice, James,” Amber scolds, hugging Justin.
“There’s a carnival coming up and everyone is invited. I have a wristband for each of you, so you can ride as many rides as you want.”
A cheer goes up as the kids start firing questions. “Will there be bumper cars? Can I get cotton candy? Are you going with us?”
“I don’t know exactly what rides they’ll have, but I think cotton candy is a safe bet.
I might see you there, but I won’t be chaperoning.
Quiet down because I haven’t told you the best part.
The carnival is being held behind Adventure River Waterpark, and a…
friend of mine has rented the park for the day.
You’re all going. They have a wave pool and lots of fun waterslides. ”
“What’s the catch?” James asks, his face wary. “This some church group? We gotta get right wit Jay-sus to get in?”
“James,” Danny growls.
Truthfully, I don’t blame James for being suspicious. When good things don’t happen to you very often, you always look for the downside when they do. “The catch is you have to smile and have fun. And wear sun block,” I add with a grin.
The kids are ecstatic. Between their excitement and the sugar, there’s no keeping them indoors.
As they run around the backyard, playing on the recently installed playground equipment, Danny and I relax on the picnic table.
“So, how did you manage this?” Danny asks, his light blond curls dancing in the wind.
“The day is being hosted by Striking Back. They know I also volunteer here, so they offered.”
“That’s fantastic. You don’t want to chaperone?”
“I can’t, but I’ll be there.” Danny stares at me, confused. In the two years I’ve known him, he’s asked me out at least ten times. I’ve always told him the truth, I don’t date people I work with, but it hasn’t stopped him from trying. “I have a date,” I admit, grudgingly.
“Well, don’t sound so happy about it.” He laughs.
“It’s a long story, but I’ll see you guys there.” As if he knows I’m thinking of him, my phone chimes.
-Good morning, love-
Oh, somebody help me.
-Good morning. I got the passes and wristbands. The kids are so excited. Thanks so much!-
An idea strikes me and I call for the kids. Danny helps me wrangle them and a few minutes later, I text Mason a picture of the group with Thank You Mr. Reed written across the bottom.
-They’re very welcome. You have your hands full today.-
-Not today. Just stopped by to share the good news.-
-Good. You’ll have plenty of time to prepare for our date tonight.-
Ha, nice try.
-I think you need to check the calendar. Our date is weeks away.-
-Far too long. I want to see you.-
-Sorry, have to pass.-
-Do you have a date, Evie?-
-With my couch and a new book.-
-Let me guess, a romance? I can give you romance.-
Uh, huh, until the moment he comes. It’s time to mess with him.
-Sort of a romance book, I guess, if you call bondage and spanking romance.-
-You just made me hard at work. I’ll see you at seven.-
Stubborn arrogant jackass.
-No, you won’t. Not tonight.-
-Talk to you later, beautiful.-
Ugh! This man is so irritating! Sweet, but stubborn as hell. I’m not going out with him tonight. Absolutely not.
* * * *
The knock at the door sounds at exactly seven o’clock. That arrogant bastard. I told him no! He can’t just order me on a date. Screw him. I’m not opening the door. “Evie, I’ll sit here all night. Open up.”
A few seconds later, I hear Charlotte, my elderly neighbor, call out, “Everly? You okay, sweetie?” Shit Shit Shit. Now I have to open the door or make a scene.
Mason’s amused look when I yank open the door makes me want to punch him in the throat. Instead, I force a smile. “I’m fine, Charlotte, thank you.” She grins and heads back into her apartment. “Come in,” I grumble.
“I’d love to.” That damn smirk. His eyes travel over my sweats. “Not that you don’t look lovely in anything, but the restaurant may have a bare minimum of a dress code.”
“I told you I’m not going out with you. And I’ve already eaten,” I add, gesturing to the pizza box on the table.
“We don’t have to go to dinner. Just let me take you out. I have something very special I want to show you.”
I’ll bet he does. He laughs when my eyes involuntarily dart to his crotch. “Not that special, although I’m happy to arrange a viewing of that as well.”
“I’ll pass on both.”
“Are you always this stubborn?”
“Are you always this persistent?”