Chapter 11
ZINNIA
Whenever my head is completely spinning, I throw my full energy into work. In high school, and later in college, it came in very handy.
Turning away from my incredible new computer, I see Lily is hard at work on a new website, as Rose mutters softly to herself while threading crystals onto a wire.
But turning back to my computer, for once I can't focus on my illustrations. I know I was way too hard on Evan. And yet—
Ugh. His heart is in the right place, but that doesn't mean I'm going to let him drive me nuts with his overprotective nature. I just can't.
Jumping up, I slip my shoes on to go for a walk. I pull my phone from the charger, and it rings just as I'm tucking it into my shoulder bag.
"Zinnia." Evan's voice is deep and rich as it purrs into my ear. My knees instantly soften, and I can't wait to see him again. Crap – why am I already addicted to this pig-headed man?
"Hi. What's up?"
"I'm parked in front of your apartment. Listen, I hate to ask, and I'm sorry to bother you, but I need a small favor on behalf of Mom."
"Be back later," I call to my sisters as I run down the steps. From everything I've heard about Evan's mother, and the look in his eyes when he speaks of her, she means the world to him. If she needs something, I have to help.
Hanging up the phone, I jump into his truck, loving the way his eyes light up when he sees me.
"For the record, I'm doing this for her, not for you. Also, what am I doing?"
He drives out to a house not far from his while explaining that Renee has a doctor's appointment, and he has an urgent repair job for a good client that cannot wait.
"Your mother can't be on her own for a couple of hours?"
He shoots me an uncomfortable look. "I know, but… She just had hip replacement surgery. She keeps insisting that she's fine, but she's still supposed to be resting. I just need someone who will stop her from jumping up and dusting the entire house."
"How am I supposed to do that? What makes you think she'll listen to me?"
"I think she might." Evan reaches out to squeeze my hand. "I'm really sorry that I lurked at your meeting today, Zinnia. I realize that's super close to the kind of control that your dad exerts."
That takes me by surprise. "Thank you."
"I ran into Doug earlier today," he says. "Your dad wants you to move to England?"
He looks so upset that I'm sorry I brought it up. "Yeah. We're trying to figure out a way to let him know we have plenty of adult supervision. Especially because you know… We're adults ourselves, for heaven's sake."
He parks the truck and runs around to help me out, lightly kissing the top of my hair. "I'm completely aware that you're an adult, but you need to be prepared for seriously overwhelming Mom energy in there. Please hang tough. It's just for a couple of hours."
"I understand."
As we walk toward the house, I suddenly freeze. "I just realized that I'm about to meet your mother. I'm not dressed for this. I—"
"Zinnia." Evan's hand locks on my hip as he stares down at me. "I know you're frustrated and angry with me. You have every right to be. Do you still want to work on this relationship? Because I do. I'm truly sorry for behaving like an ass, and I want to be better for you. For us."
I'm genuinely taken aback. He's finally aware of the problem, and he's willing to work on it. That surprises me. He's so hardheaded most of the time, then he turns around and asks for clarification – and before a monumental event like this?
There is definitely hope.
"I'm open to working on it."
His gorgeous eyes light up. "Thank you. And relax, you're dressed just fine." He kisses the top of my head again, then leads me into a big white house filled with colorful furniture.
We've barely walked into the living room when I hear a "tsk tsk" sound. "Evan, are you serious? Renee is just driving to Oakton. I'm only going to be alone for a few hours. I don't need a babysitter."
Evan's mother shakes her head, tossing black curls with a hint of white at the temples. Although she's just wearing comfortable green track pants and a sweater, her makeup is done carefully and she's wearing beautiful sculpted gold hoop earrings.
I love her immediately and the saucy way she pretends to glare at Evan.
"Mom, this is my good friend, Zinnia."
Coming closer, I reach out to shake her hand. "Lovely to meet you, Mrs. Harris."
She shakes my hand while waving the other one dismissively. "Please. It's Cora."
She starts to get up, but Evan sets her hand on her shoulder, pressing her gently but insistently back down. "Mom, Renee already said that you took a shower and did your physio today. That's enough."
Cora awkwardly puts her hands on her hips. "How am I supposed to make tea for my guest if you won't let me get up?"
Poor Evan looks completely lost. Taking him by the arm, I gently shove him toward the door. "Go get your job done."
He chuckles, slumping as if he's deflated. "Yes, dear," he murmurs so that only I can hear.
As I return to the living room, Cora is laughing merrily. "I've always hoped that Evan would find a nice girl. And here you are, someone who I can already tell can put him in his place. Good for you."
"We aren't… I mean, it hasn't been very long. We'll see."
"Pfft. I saw the way you two look at each other. It's a done deal."
She holds out her hand. "Now, help me up and we'll go to the kitchen to do some baking. Nobody else will let me. It's been driving me nuts."
We reach a compromise. She's allowed to sit at the kitchen island as long as I fetch everything she needs, and do anything that requires standing.
We click immediately, and Cora seems amused to have an assistant. As she sits on a stool, kneading the dough for almond shortbread, I remark, "So, I've noticed Evan's pretty overprotective."
Her bright brown eyes look at me carefully, as if analyzing what I'm thinking.
"There are many different kinds of men in this world," she says, watching me closely even as her hands are moving like lightning, working the dough.
"There are controlling men who want to diminish a woman's power.
To make her feel small, so that he can feel big. Complete balderdash, of course."
"That would be my father," I mutter.
She smiles warmly. "And then there are men like Evan.
When his father left, my son stepped up and became the man of the house.
He saw what I went through on my own, and what my friend Renee went through when her husband died.
Evan has always stepped up. Always been the one to take care of things.
To the point that he feels responsible for every woman's safety. "
I exhale loudly. "That explains a lot."
"His freakish control thing comes from a place of love, I promise you," she says. Then she rolls her eyes dramatically. "I'll bet he thinks my car accident that put me in this sorry state is his fault because I was driving in the rain, instead of letting him come pick me up."
Oh, wow. Light. Bulb. On.
She grins. "But Evan cooks. Never be with a man who doesn't cook, Zinnia. My husband didn't and he was a mess. Cooking helps you understand life. The balance, the temperamental bits, the fussiness. Men who are useless in the kitchen will never really get it." She taps her temple.
"My Dad has never cooked," I grin. "That explains a few more things."
The topic turns to my family, and by the time I'm pulling kourabiethes and karythopita out of the oven, Cora has declared my father a total asshole for trying to make me move away.
Her eagle eye doesn't miss my slight sniffle. "Honey, do you have flour in your nose, or are you upset that I insulted your dad?"
"Neither," I smile. "I'm just realizing that I've never actually baked before with a Mom type."
"Oh, sweetie." She wipes off her hands, then waves me over for a giant hug. "We women have to stick together to keep the menfolk in line," she laughs. "If your Dad is a control freak, and you have no other parent around, do you want me to step in to settle his hash?"
I snort, laughing as I step away to start wiping down the counter. "Thank you, but I can't ask you to do that."
Her eyes dance. "Honey, I've just spent a few weeks being bossed around by male doctors,followed by my sweet but pushy son babying me. I would adore telling somebody off right about now."
I can see the same determination in her eyes that I've seen in Evan's. Someone who wants to get the job done. Someone who wants to take care of everyone, just because they can. His overprotectiveness really does come from a place of love.
And he's loved me from the first time he held me.
Everything clicks into place.
Pulling my phone from my purse, I scroll for Dad's new number. "Video call?"
Cora fluffs her hair. "Perfect. How's my lipstick?"