Chapter 13 Eva #2
“So, let’s get straight into it, shall we?” I pull out my notebook, filled with yellow Post-its from all the note-taking I did with Maddy. “I’ve made a list of all the things we need to get done for the wedding day, as well as a few events leading up to it. Now, I’ve broken it down by—”
“You look good today,” Aston interrupts, his gaze locked on me. “Glowing, in fact.”
My eyes fall to the open pages of my notebook as I swallow the lump caught in my throat. “I have no idea what you mean, but thank you, I guess.”
“You must have had a good sleep,” he remarks, his tone dripping with smugness.
This time, I glance up only to see his raised brow and cocky smile. “Actually, it was pretty shitty. Do you want coffee or something to eat? I could probably use another coffee.”
Aston leans back into his chair, looking way too relaxed. “Coffee sounds great.”
“How do you take it?” I ask, sliding my chair back to leave the table. It’s only been two minutes in his presence, and I need a break. “The coffee, I mean.”
“I knew you meant coffee. But it appears your mind is elsewhere.” Again, with a smug expression.
This is painful.
I wait with annoyance, only for him to say, “Tall Americano, three sugars.”
“Three sugars?” I question with my hands on my hips. “Do you want to die young?”
“I didn’t get much sleep, much like yourself,” he admits.
I would have thought he slept like a baby after working so hard at making my life hell, but something else must be weighing on his mind. My mouth opens out of curiosity, only to close a moment later.
Less is more.
Don’t ask questions.
Strictly wedding talk.
Quickly, I excuse myself to make us coffee. Billie is busy taking orders on the other side, which is a good thing since I’m pretty sure she will interrogate me once this is over.
The coffee machine begins grinding the beans, I place the ground coffee into the portafilter, distribute it evenly, and then slide it back into the main machine to begin tamping.
My hands reach over for a cup, moving it underneath.
When both cups are complete, I return to the table, placing Aston’s before him.
“So, this is your place, huh?” He scans the café, including Billie, who is behind the counter pretending not to be stalking us. “Nice.”
If there is one thing I’m proud of achieving, it’s Donuts Ever After.
Everything in here was thought-out, from the woodland-green colored wall filled with artwork showing different types of donuts painted by a local artist to the exposed brick wall with a pink neon sign hanging that reads In My Donut Era.
The booths have a diner-style feel, but my favorites are the small provincial oak round tables I ended up pairing with Hamptons-inspired chairs, a mix of all the things I love. The ceramic vases in the middle of each table mimic a stack of books with artificial purple zinnias sitting inside them.
“Yes, it’s mine.” My lips press into a fine line. “I’ll also take your nice as a compliment even though I’m sure you’re thinking this place is too cutesy for your liking.”
“I never said that.”
“You’re a guy, a city guy. I bet you drink your coffee from some overpriced coffee shop on Wall Street claiming to have the best blend in the country.”
“Actually, you’re right.” He brings the edge of the cup to his mouth, drawing my attention to his alluring lips. My eyes dart across the room in a panic, only to see Billie with her I-told-you-so face. “Though, this tastes amazing.”
“Okay, stop being nice to me. It’s weird,” I complain. “Can I go through my list now?”
He nods with a scoff. “Go ahead.”
I made the list simple so Aston’s tasks are easy. After I mention what needs to be done, I wait for his response.
“So, all you need me to do is ensure all the men turn up to the suit fitting, organize the bachelor party, then show up at the wedding?”
“Pretty much. Do you think you can handle that?”
“Not at all,” he answers with sarcasm laced in his voice. “I can run a billion-dollar company, but getting a few guys together to try on suits is well above my capability.”
“Look, okay, I don’t need your bull—”
Maddy appears at the door with cheeks flushed from the cold, distracting us from the near argument. She removes her purple knitted beanie, beaming as she notices us sitting at the table. In a mad rush, she takes a seat and releases a long sigh. “Thank God you two are together.”
Billie joins us, asking Maddy if she wants anything to drink.
Maddy mentions she left the city at the crack of dawn to beat the traffic, so she is extra wired on caffeine but orders a cinnamon twist since she skipped breakfast. “I was worried this would be too hard for you guys, like there was a beef or something.”
“I never said there was a beef.” I suck my cheeks in, sputtering those words in a raised voice. “What makes you think we can’t work together?”
“Aston is too busy, and you’re getting laid by a doctor,” Maddy replies casually.
My mouth falls open the moment those words leave hers. Across from me, Aston makes a slight growl. I can’t believe she brought up Marco, especially in front of Aston. On top of that, I’m not even sleeping with Marco.
“This is not appropriate to discuss, Madelina,” I grit, purposely calling her by her full name. “My personal life should be personal.”
“Fine.” Maddy rolls her eyes out of boredom. “Can we talk about the dress fittings, please?”
As Maddy talks, Aston remains quiet across from me. I avoid his unrelenting stare and nod when needed as if I’m paying attention to Maddy. All I hear are words like tulle and lace , but aside from that, my mind is questioning why Aston’s mood has shifted.
She glances at her watch mid-sentence, releasing another heavy sigh. “How is it this late already? Myles’s mother and Mom are heading out to brunch, and they asked me to join them.”
It’s just before nine thirty, which is hardly late in the day. Though Maddy appears to be reacting to the caffeine as she annoyingly bounces her leg beneath the table.
“Oh, you didn’t tell me your mom is here.”
Maddy glances at Aston as something passes between them. I wait to see if either will indulge my curiosity, but both look uncomfortable.
“Yes, I picked her up this morning” is all Maddy says. “It was a long car ride of silence.”
I read the signs and decide not to ask any more questions, since whatever is happening appears to be a family issue. If Maddy wants to talk, which I know she will, I’ll surely hear about it later.
Maddy says goodbye, reminding me she’ll call me later this afternoon, then bolts out the door, leaving us alone again.
Well, not entirely alone, since Billie is still stalking by the counter.
“So, I think we’re done here.” I push the chair back to stand, notebook in hand, and then smile. “Have a nice day.”
As I attempt to turn my back to Aston, he reaches out and wraps his hand around my wrist to stop me.
Again with the wrist grabbing, which does something to me I can’t explain.
I bite my lip, ignoring the blood pumping through my veins.
After last night, I thought I got it out of my system, but with just one touch, I’m again proven wrong.
“We’re not done,” he commands.
“I think we are. You have your list of things, and I have mine, which includes visiting a violinist this afternoon, since she’s willing to fit me in. So, if you’ll excuse me, I have some emails to send out before I leave for the drive.”
He lets go of my wrist, but his gaze is unwavering. “I’m coming with you.”
“You’re not coming with me to listen to wedding music. You’ll get bored, then make my life hell.”
“I’m supposed to help with these things as well, so I won’t take no for an answer.” Aston stands, towering over me. His eyes fall to my lips, watching them intently before I see him shake his head like he’s been caught up in some sort of trance. “I’ll be parked out front at noon.”
I fold my arms over my chest. “I’m not getting in your penis mobile again. Look, I can do this myself. I’m sure you have work to do.”
Aston doesn’t respond, but with his gaze piercing, I know there’s no stopping him.
“Twelve p.m., Everleigh. Be ready.”
“Fine! But why do you have to be such a jerk all the time?”
A devious smile plays on his lips before he leans in and whispers, “You’re an easy target, Miss Woods.
But if you want, I’ll play nice. Though I’m much more fun when I’m playing dirty.
” He pulls away, cocking his head with a dismissive glance.
As he walks out of the café, I stand still, watching him, not realizing Billie is standing beside me.
“Oh, Eva. You’re in big, big trouble…” she teases.
I shake my head, blinking rapidly. “What did I do?”
“You’ve caught the attention of the playboy,” she informs me with a bemused smile. “There’s nowhere to run now.”
“There’s always a way to escape,” I say, barely above a whisper. “I’ve escaped him once, and I can do it again…”
I want to believe my words. I need to believe my words.
We just need boundaries. So, they’ve been crossed a few times already. Big deal. All I need to do is treat him like my best friend’s older brother and remember the one I want in my bed is Marco.
And the best way to do that? Make these wedding appointments unbearable for the playboy.
Starting this afternoon…