Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
W aking up snuggled next to Evan after being with him all night was now one of Mercedes’ favorite things to do. His scent, his warmth, his hard body alongside her soft one. He pressed a few kisses on her hair, and she shivered. Little things like that were what made her love him more each day.
“We should probably get up soon. It’s already ten, and we have to be at my parents’ around noon.” Yet Evan didn’t move away from her.
“You’re right,” she responded. “We should get up. I really like where I am at this moment, though.”
“Me, too.” He waggled his eyebrows seductively and a lopsided grin popped onto his face. Then, he kissed her. She was addicted to these kisses, no doubt about it. How had she ever survived without them?
A few minutes later, Evan groaned and reluctantly edged away. “I’m sorry. I wish we could stay here all day, but my mom is expecting us.”
“I know. Make sure I remember to bring the deviled eggs I made yesterday. We certainly can’t eat them all.”
“I could sure try. I love your deviled eggs.”
Too bad he hadn’t said he loved her. Was it too early for that? She was aware of her feelings, but had Evan figured them out yet? Did he love her, or was he still in the infatuation stage? Would it scare him off if she declared how she felt?
Evan kissed the top of her head before he scooped up his hearing aids from the bedside table and left.
He’d been wearing them lately when he was home with her, and her face heated as she recalled his reason.
They didn’t help him hear all that much better, however he claimed he could feel the vibration of her purring when they were intimate. He said it really turned him on.
The shower started up so she sat up in bed.
Reaching into her bedside table, she removed her journal and pen.
She didn’t write in it every day, but her entries had been more frequent ever since she and Evan had begun dating.
She’d written about all the different kinds of dates they’d been on and how they’d gotten along during each one.
The emotions she’d experienced for the past few months were inscribed all over the pages, detailing her love for this incredible man who made her feel so wonderful.
After scribbling more musings, she tucked the book back in the drawer and slid out of bed.
With her robe on, she padded to the bathroom right as Evan exited.
The steam from the shower wafted out of the door as his broad shoulders and bare chest filled the doorway.
She’d never get enough of seeing him this way, so manly and sexy.
The mischievous grin and adorable dimple always made her stomach flip flop.
“Your turn. I left you some hot water.”
“You’re so kind, sir.” Fortunately, the hot water in this apartment was excellent, so unless he spent an hour in there, she’d be okay. She stood on her toes to kiss his cheek, and he yanked her into his arms for a tight hug.
When he did this, simply held her with no sexual intention, it went straight to her heart. Sometimes, she wondered if he needed the contact and wasn’t merely doing it for her.
When he eased back, she said, “I won’t be long. I don’t need to wash my hair today.” With how long it took for her curls to dry, she had to schedule washing her hair for when she had more time.
“I’ll make you some coffee while you’re in there.”
“You’re an angel.”
He laughed. “If you say so. I’m not sure my family would agree.”
Later, in the kitchen, her coffee sat ready on the warmer, and Evan had a glass of Mountain Dew in front of him. A plate of toast and one of bacon sat in the middle of the table.
“Definitely an angel. Thank you.”
“You cook meals for us all the time. I have been known to make breakfast on occasion.”
Sitting next to him, she said, “True, but it’s typically no more than pouring cereal into a bowl with milk or opening a packet of Pop Tarts.”
He rolled his eyes but didn’t respond. He knew she was right. It didn’t matter. She loved to cook, and if she could make meals for him at the same time, all the better.
Closer to noon, they packed up the deviled eggs and his liter of Mountain Dew and drove to his parents’ house. Deanna and Brian were already there.
Hugs and kisses were doled out as they caught up on life events.
The fact she and Evan were in a romantic relationship had been shared right after Carli and Blake’s wedding weeks ago.
The warmth and acceptance of the Jameson family meant the world to her.
She’d grown up with this family, both parents and kids, and always felt like part of them.
Having her be with Evan made it more real.
Now all she had to do was make sure it stayed that way.
Carli and Blake showed up shortly after and brought in gifts they’d bought on their honeymoon.
“You didn’t have to get us anything,” his mom said, waving away the gift.
“We already did,” Carli said, laughing. “So you have to accept it. They’re only little trinkets from the island. Not much.”
“Little trinket? You should have brought a big gift back for your favorite brother,” Evan teased.
Carli’s eyes twinkled. “Brian is getting a little trinket, too. Just like the rest of you.”
Evan made a show of being gutted by the insult, and everyone laughed. This family had such a great rapport with each other and showed their love in non-traditional ways. Lots of times with laughter.
Cheryl bustled around and enlisted the help of everyone to get the food on the table.
Once they were all seated and into their meal, she said, “I’m always thrilled to have you here, Mercedes, but it’s especially nice now that you and Evan are together.
” She pointed at her youngest son. “Don’t do anything to mess this up. ”
Evan made a face and saluted his mom. “Yes, ma’am.” Mercedes could tell he wasn’t taking it as a joke. A little bit of anxiety circled his eyes.
Brian laughed. “Knowing my brother, he’ll mess it up big time, because that’s what he does.”
“Stop,” Carli yelled, though only Blake, Brian, and Mercedes could hear her. “This is the first time I’ve seen Evan serious about someone, and I’m happy it’s someone we know and love. He should be congratulated. Mercedes actually knows him well and still wants to be with him.”
“It’s probably because she wants to be with all of you,” Evan teased, even though they were joking about him. “I better not do anything wrong. I have a feeling my family will disown me and keep you.” He smiled in her direction.
“Don’t you forget it,” Deanna jumped into the conversation.
As much as everyone was having a good laugh, it was kind of at Evan’s expense, so she attempted to change the subject. Glancing toward Deanna, she asked, “How’s the army unit? Still teaching them sign?”
Funny how Deanna’s cheeks turned pink. “Yes, the guys are great. We send a video every week, and they try to send one back showing us what they learned. We’ve been doing this for almost a year now with this unit, and some of the men are getting really good.
Others just like hearing from the kids to distract them.
They were deployed overseas a few months back. ”
“Do they know how long their deployment is?” Brian asked.
“They don’t know exact dates, but one of them mentioned it shouldn’t be too much longer. I’d love for some of them to come into the classroom and meet the kids in person. I teased them and said they had to pass an ASL test first.”
Evan made a face at his youngest sister. “And do they all want to study harder to meet the pretty teacher in person?”
Deanna rolled her eyes, but her face flushed.
“That guy who was being razzed in the video you shared a while back,” Carli asked, “is he one of the ones to head home? What was his name?”
Deanna shrugged. “Rafe, and he might be. I’m not sure.”
Brian chuckled. “Rafe. On a first name basis and you didn’t ask?”
Deanna huffed. “When we send videos, we don’t always know who’ll see them. They’re for the whole group, not individuals. The videos they send back have smaller groups signing to us with what they’ve learned.”
“You said Rafe was one of the ones who was really good, huh?” Evan grinned at his sister. “Guess he’ll get to visit the classroom.”
Rolling her eyes, Deanna said, “I don’t know. Hey, Mercedes, what are you doing for Thanksgiving. Are you heading to the Cape to see your parents or coming over here?”
Way to change the subject. “I’m not sure yet. I’d love to see my parents and brother, and they invited Evan to come with me. We haven’t had a chance to talk about it yet.”
Brian pumped his fist in the air. “Yes, take Evan with you. That way he won’t hog all the gravy and mashed potatoes.”
The teasing was back to Evan, but at least this time it wasn’t something embarrassing. Mercedes didn’t think he minded being teased about food, so she played along with his family, ragging on him about his ferocious appetite.
Deaf Night Out was packed tonight. As Evan scanned the crowd, he realized only a portion of them were Deaf.
There must be another group in the bar today.
Adam waved him over to the corner where several other friends stood around a high top, signing.
He waved back but peeked down at Mercedes to see what she wanted to do.
“I wish Brian, Carli, and Deanna would have been able to come tonight,” she said. “Aside from Adam, I don’t know too many of the other people here. Oh.”
At her exclamation, she tilted her head in the direction of the middle of the room. A group of well-dressed adults stood around the bar. He recognized some of them, especially the man who looked ready to board a yacht.
“Aren’t some of those the people you had at your party? The ones you work with?”
“Yes, Gracie, Ayanna, Wardell, and Vikram. I didn’t know they’d be here.”