Chapter 22
Evie
“He’s not in love with me.” I take a few steps in my new shoes. “I am totally going to start running again.”
Tessa’s fork lowers. “You’re a runner?”
I laugh at her forlorn look. “You can come with me?”
“Sure. And then when I die of a heart attack, you can explain to my family that you made me go for a run.”
“You don’t ever go for a run or a jog?”
She eyes me over the chicken. “Does it look like I have a runner’s body?” She puts up a hand. “Nope, don’t answer that. I’m happy with my curves.” My phone dings with a text. “Okay, send that to your man.”
“He’s not my man.” But I open my phone and download the picture she sent me. It’s just a picture of my feet in the new sneakers. They look so good, I can’t help but smile. Without overthinking it, I send the picture to Zane.
Me- these shoes are amazing! Thank you!
Me- you shouldn’t have done that
Me- Tessa and I looked them up. They’re like a three hundred dollar pair of shoes!
Me- that's insane!
He texts back.
Zane- do you like them?
I bite my lip as I text.
Me- I love them!
Zane- good
Me- thank you
I pause a minute and then commit.
Me- Seriously, that was way too much. You shouldn’t have done that. I don’t know how to thank you. You’ve been so good to me.
Zane- I got the muffins and granola bars for the mornings you don’t get a chance to eat.
I wait a minute to text him.
Me- why are you doing all this?
My phone rings, startling me. I look down at it and panic. “It’s him.”
“Zane?” Tessa asks.
“Yes.”
“Answer it,” she urges, eyes wide.
“What do I say?”
She looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. In all fairness, I have. By the time I psych myself up to answer, it ends. Tessa smacks her hand against her forehead.
“What do I do?” I ask.
“Oh my word. Call the man back. He just dropped like four hundred dollars on you. I think the least you can do is answer the phone.”
Feeling appropriately chastised, I call him back before I give myself a chance to overthink it. As soon as he picks up, I blurt out, “I’m sorry. I panicked,”
His low chuckle sends a shiver through me, and I meet Tessa’s wide eyes. “It’s okay. I didn’t mean to startle you.” I’m quiet a beat because I don’t know what to say. “Was it too much?” he asks in a voice that’s way too sexy for me. “Quint said I was going to scare you away.”
I’m not sure what to say to that, so I ask the question that’s been burning in my mind. “Why did you do it?”
“I think that should be obvious by now, Evie.” I hold my breath in the silence. “I’m interested in you, Evie, probably way more than you’re ready for right now.” My wide eyes meet Tessa’s because I can’t believe he just said all that.
What? She mouths.
I shake my head and focus on Zane. “But you don’t date.”
“I didn't,” he corrects. “Not until now.”
“Why? Why me?” I ask the question burning in my mind.
“Why you? Hmmm, let me see.” He’s quiet just for a moment, but my heart beats faster, waiting for his words.
“You’re kind, a hard worker, you put others first, you don’t flirt with every male on campus, you don’t care about the most recent trends or styles.
You’re comfortable in your own skin, and I just like you for you.
It doesn’t hurt that you’re gorgeous as well.
” I feel my face heat at his words, and I have no idea what to say to that. “Did I scare you away again?”
“I’m still here.” My words are soft. Reality hits when I think about Jace. I try to find my resolve that’s been buried underneath Zane’s kind words and actions. “I’m dating.” I’m pretty sure my words are the equivalent of cold water on our conversation.
“I know. That’s the only reason why I haven’t asked you out on a date, yet.” It’s the yet that captures my attention. “But make no mistake, Evie. As soon as you’re not, I’ll make the move.”
“What if I continue to date Jace?”
“You won’t.” His voice is confident. “You’ll find the courage to break up with him. When you do, I’ll be waiting for you.”
His words stir something inside me, and suddenly, I want nothing more than to make that a reality. “Zane, can I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
“I’m not a guy—”
His low chuckle interrupts my train of thought. “No, you’re not. Thank goodness for that.”
I don’t let his words deter me. “I just meant you’re a guy; maybe you can give me insight.” I push forward, past my nerves. “This may make me sound lame, but I’ve never dated before. So, I guess I don’t know what’s normal or not. Is it normal for the guy to order for the girl?”
“Did you ask him to order for you?”
“No.”
“Did he ask you what you wanted to eat, or did he just decide for you?”
“He didn’t ask. If he would have, I would have never told him crab legs.” I shudder even now.
“Do you like seafood?” he asks.
“No, I can’t stand seafood. The smell is enough to make me want to throw up.”
“Good to know. Did he ask you where you wanted to eat?”
“No, I didn’t realize we were going to a seafood restaurant until we were inside, and it was already too late. Okay, so it’s not normal for the guy to order for the girl without at least asking what she wants. Good to know. What about drinking?”
“What about it?” he asks, his voice changing slightly.
“Do you normally drink on a date?”
He’s quiet a moment. “I guess that depends.”
“I don’t drink. Ever. I mean besides the fact that I’m underage, I still wouldn’t drink even when I turn twenty-one.” I know my voice comes across as harsh, but I don’t care.
“Okay,” he says easily. As if sensing I need a topic change, he asks, “So, you’re at a fancy restaurant. What’s your order?”
“It wouldn’t be at a fancy restaurant. It would be Panda Express or something like that.”
He laughs. “Well, what if you did go out to a nice restaurant. What would be your order?”
I shrug a moment, even though he can’t see. “I’m not really sure. Chicken strips?”
“You’d get chicken strips at a nice restaurant?” I can hear the laughter in his voice, but somehow it doesn’t feel like he’s laughing at me.
“Probably.”
“Okay.” He doesn’t try to change my mind. “What’s your side order? Mashed potatoes, broccoli, salad?”
“I think you’re highly overestimating me, Zane. I’d choose fries.”
“Chicken tenders and fries. Got it.”
I wait for him to make a wise crack, but he doesn’t. “You’re not going to make fun of me?”
“For what?” he asks in genuine confusion.
“For saying I would order chicken strips and fries at a fancy restaurant.”
“Evie, if that’s what you like, that’s what you like. There’s no shame in that. When I take you on a date, you can order chicken strips and fries on one condition.”
“What?”
“You let me try some.”
I’m grinning from ear to ear. “Deal.”
“What’s your drink order?” he continues.
“Sprite.”
“What about you?” I ask in return.
“Water.”
“Booooring.”
He chuckles. “Yeah.”
“Is that because you’re an athlete, or do you just like water?”
“Probably a little of both.”
“What’s your order at a fancy restaurant?” I’m curious now.
“A rare steak and a baked potato with broccoli.” He pauses. “You’re not saying anything.”
“I’m trying not to gag on the rare steak.”
He laughs. “Not a fan, I take it?”
“No, not at all. If I’m going to have steak, which is a rarity, it needs to be fully cooked, not still mooing at me.”
“Well done. Got it.”
“With steak sauce,” I add. “Do you use steak sauce?”
He’s quiet a moment. “Are you going to decide not to go out with me if I say no?”
“Yes,” I say without skipping a beat.
“Then I love steak sauce.”
“What kind?” I ask, trying to trip him up.
“Evie, if it would get you out on a date with me, I’d drink a bottle of steak sauce, any kind.”
“You’re crazy.” But there’s a smile on my face at his words.
“What’s your favorite class so far this semester?”
His change in topic throws me a moment, and I have to think a moment. “Probably childhood development.”
“Why?”
“It’s fascinating. For instance, did you know that a baby’s brain doubles in size during their first year?
Or that babies are born with all the neurons they need for life?
That’s why the child’s first three years are the most important as far as development.
” I catch myself when I see Tessa giving me a raised eyebrows. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be,” he says in that low voice of his. “That’s all fascinating. Are you getting an education degree?"
“I am. Early childhood education. What about you? Wait, sports something, right?”
“Actually, no.”
“Really? Okay, now I’m curious. What’s your major?”
“I’m majoring in environmental science.” His words shock me. “Surprising, right?”
“Kind of,” I admit.
“I get that a lot. Everybody thinks I should be doing some kind of sports degree.”
“Who cares? If that’s what you want to study, then go for it. Who cares what anybody else thinks?”
“Thanks, Evie.”
“Why are you interested in environmental science?”
“I’ve always loved and done well with all the sciences in high school, and I think they’ll really help me in the future. My family owns a lot of property. It will fall on me some day, and I want to care for the lands the best I can and be able to find ways to manage the land and all its resources.”
“That’s great, Zane.”
He laughs low. “It was great until this Physics class I’m taking this year. It’s kicking me in the backside. I’ve always done well in Physics, but this class is next level. I'm pretty sure the Professor is out to ruin my life.”
“Why do you say that?”
“I’ve had a lot of run-ins with him. I’m usually fine with all my professors, but I think this one has it out for me. It’s probably because I’m an athlete. Some professors don’t take kindly to athletes.”
“That’s terrible. What’s his name?”
“Why?” I hear the amusement in his voice.
“If I ever run into him, maybe I can tell him what I think about how he treats athletes.”
“Yeah, I don’t think I’ll tell you his name.”
“Well, if you change your mind, and want me to give him a piece of mind, I’m your girl.”
“Yeah, you are.” His voice is low and soft and suddenly, I don’t feel like we’re talking about the same thing anymore.
His words make me feel something deep inside that I don’t think I want to examine too closely.
At least, not until I take care of things with Jace.
A dark feeling comes over me when I think of Jace.
“Can I ask you something?” I ask Zane for the second time tonight.
“You can ask me anything, Evie.”
“Why are you so easy to talk to? I feel like I could talk to you for hours.”
“I think you already have been,” he says in a teasing voice.
I’m suddenly aware of the fact that he’s a very busy guy. I can’t believe the major he’s pulling on top of football. “I’m sorry, Zane,” I rush to say. “I didn’t mean to take up so much of your time. I’m sure you have so much to do.”
“There is nothing I’d rather be doing, Evie.
Nothing in the world.” That warm feeling comes back, stronger this time.
“And I think it’s really easy to talk to you too.
Maybe we just click.” His words draw a laugh out of me, and I can’t stop my goofy grin.
“I totally sounded like a high school girl right then, didn’t I? ”
I don’t even bother denying it. “Yep.”