Chapter 41
Evie
I look up at the clock, and my stomach drops when I see it’s almost one.
“Evie, you’re good to go,” Bisch says as he walks past me.
“You’ve obviously got somewhere to be.” His grin is wide, and I shake my head, regretting all my life’s choices.
I don’t know what possessed me to agree to Tessa’s pleading to wear one of her dresses.
When she heard I was going to Zane’s to meet his family, she begged to help me.
Her “helping me” ended in me wearing her dress and her doing my makeup and hair.
So, I’ve worked the entire shift in a soft pink dress that’s flowy and almost reaches my knees.
The top has a square neck, and the sleeves are wide.
The most interesting feature is that the back of the dress is just a big bow and leaves the sides of my back open.
It’s way more adventurous than anything I’d normally wear, but it was also the only dress of Tessa’s that made it past the middle of my thighs.
So, it was either wear a short dress or have some of my back exposed.
I went for the latter. Of course, then she made me dig through my closet and find the only cute pair of sandals I own.
She did a light makeup job on me and curled my hair, leaving it mostly down, with only a little on each side pulled back.
Then she helped me put it all up for work, telling me to just take out the scrunchie when I was done.
I felt really good when I left my room this morning, but after working in the shop all morning and dealing with too many stares, I regret everything.
There’s nothing overtly wrong; Rachel wears dresses like this all the time to work.
I just don’t, and that seems to be tripping everybody up.
Bisch has been grinning at me all morning.
“Thanks,” I tell him as I walk past him and drop off my apron.
I blow out a deep breath and pull out the ponytail holder and let my long, heavy dark hair fall down my back.
I bite my lip nervously. I never leave my hair down; I wish I hadn’t today.
But it’s too late for regret. I walk back out and Bisch lets out a loud whistle.
“Stop it,” I whisper to him, but he just grins.
“Knock his socks off, Girl.”
I shake my head and don’t bother with a reply.
I make my way out of the shop and stop suddenly.
Zane’s talking to a group of guys, but somehow he knows I’m here.
He turns with a wide smile on his face that freezes when he sees me.
I instantly regret everything. I take a small step back, and Zane narrows his eyes before advancing on me.
He stops in front of me, his piercing green eyes meeting mine.
“Evie,” he says in his low, sexy voice. “You look...” He shakes his head.
“There are no words to describe how you look. Beautiful, gorgeous. None of those do you justice.”
And just like that, I take back every ounce of regret. “It’s not too much?” I ask softly.
“No, Baby. You look amazing!” He reaches out and takes my hand. “My truck’s right over here.”
“It’s Tessa’s dress,” I explain. “She heard I was going to your family’s house and wouldn’t give me any peace until I let her help me get dressed. She did my makeup, my hair, pretty much everything.”
He squeezes my hand gently. “Well, I owe her my thanks.”
Somebody whistles, and Zane’s body stiffens.
He spins around, pinning the guys with a look that they completely ignore.
“Idiots,” he mutters under his breath. When we get to his truck, he opens my door and then steps back.
I step in front of him to climb in the truck.
I hear him suck in a shocked breath. “Baby,” he says in a strained voice, and I turn to him in surprise.
His eyes are wide. “Where’s the rest of your dress? ”
I suddenly remember the large tie in the back. I meet his gaze. “It was either this or one of her dresses that only reached mid-thigh.” His gaze drops to my legs, and I feel his gaze on me like a caress. I shiver. “Needless to say, I chose this one.”
He closes his eyes and blows out a breath. When he opens his eyes, they’re a little less intense than they were moments ago. “Okay.”
His reaction was everything I didn’t realize I wanted from him, and I can’t help my smile. “Can I get in the truck now?”
He swallows. “Yeah.” His voice is deeper now.
I turn around and put my foot on the step, so I can climb up.
He puts his hands on my waist and gives me a boost up.
I don’t look at him as I buckle because I’m pretty sure my face is flaming.
After he climbs in and starts the truck, he reaches his hand out towards mine.
I put my hand in his, and he holds it on his thigh.
He sighs deeply, and I can feel it in my chest. “It’s really good to see you, Evie. ”
I squeeze his hand. “It’s good to see you too. I missed you while you were gone.”
He glances over at me. “I missed you so much. How did the rest of your week go? What did I miss?”
I fill him in on the last few days, and the drive passes quickly.
My breathing turns a little shallow when he pulls into a driveway and parks.
“No need to be nervous, Evie. My family already loves you.” I nod and try not to let my nerves get the best of me.
When I look through the windshield, I notice the house isn’t insanely huge and doesn’t scream money.
That helps me relax somewhat. Zane squeezes my hand once more and then climbs down and comes around to my side.
He offers me a hand, and I take it so I can climb down.
When we turn to the house, I take in the wrap-around front porch with rocking chairs and a swing, as well as the soft blue door that matches the shutters.
“It’s beautiful, Zane.”
“I’ve never seen anything so beautiful,” he says in return. But when I look up at him, he’s not looking at the house. The front door opens, tearing us from our private moment.
“I’m sorry. I tried to be patient, but I couldn’t wait a moment longer,” Zane’s mom says, wiping her hands on the apron she’s wearing.
“Hey, Evie, it’s so good to see you again.
” She floats down the front steps, or at least that’s what it seems like.
She’s so graceful. When she gets to us, she doesn’t stop her movement.
She leans in and I figure she’s going to hug Zane.
I’m wrong. She pulls me into a hug so tight, it nearly hurts.
“Mom,” Zane says, putting a hand on my back. “Don’t break her.” His mom’s hold instantly lessens.
She pulls back and stares at me, even as she wipes her eyes. I look up at Zane in concern, but he just grins. I, on the other hand, am worried. “Are you okay?” I ask gently, reaching out to put my hand on her shoulder.
She swallows and wipes her eyes. “I’m sorry. I just am so happy.”
My concern only grows, and I’m not really sure what to do.
Zane has no such inhibitions. “Dad,” he calls out.
A man steps out of the house a moment later, and I suck in a breath.
I already met him once; but I was so out of it, I don’t really remember it.
He looks so much like Zane. I feel like I’m getting a glimpse of how Zane will age. Very well, apparently.
I watch as Zane’s dad comes down the stairs.
He’s got Zane’s build and hasn’t seemed to have lost any muscle mass over the years.
I watch as he approaches his wife and wonder if he’s going to be upset.
But he smiles at me even as he wraps an arm around his wife and pulls her into his side.
He kisses her on the temple and whispers something to her so softy, we can’t hear.
She looks up at him with tears in her eyes, and he smiles tenderly at her, even as he wipes her eyes.
I jerk my eyes away, unable to keep watching this tender moment.
I can’t help but glance up at Zane, but he doesn’t seem surprised or confused by any of this.
He looks utterly relaxed, and I glance back at his parents in time to see Zane’s dad wrap an arm around his wife and pull her close.
Something tightens in my chest at the sight of them and an unwelcome sense of longing fills me.
I’m suddenly overcome with emotion that I don’t want to deal with right now.
I take a breath and work to swallow past the lump in my throat.
How many times did I want just an ounce of affection like that from my dad for my mom?
Not even for me. I just saw how badly she wanted it, and he never gave it.
“Evie?”
Zane’s voice pulls me from my thoughts, and I force a smile to my lips and look up at him.
His eyes search my face, and he frowns. Not wanting to bring the mood down, I keep my smile on my lips as I face Zane’s parents.
Before I can say anything, Zane’s dad smiles warmly and puts out his hand.
“Evie, it’s good to see you again. Zane talks about you often. ”
“Constantly,” a new voice adds. “He never shuts up about you.”
I smile as Riley bounds down the steps, her long blonde ponytail swinging behind her. “Hey, Sis,” she says before giving me a tight hug. “Sorry I’m all sweaty; I just got out of practice.”
“No worries,” I tell her easily.
Riley claps her hands and rubs them together. “What’s for dinner? I’m starving.”
“You’re always starving,” Zane says with affection in his voice.
“So are you,” she says, punching him in the stomach.
He doesn’t even respond, and I wonder if she hurt her hand. “The food is just about ready,” Zane’s mom says as she walks up the steps to the house, her husband trailing her.
“I can help,” I offer as we follow them.
“I won’t turn down the offer,” she says graciously. “Heaven knows my own daughter wouldn’t be caught dead in the kitchen.”
“Mom,” Riley says, jogging up the stairs behind us. “That is so not true.”
“When was the last time you cooked in the kitchen?” Zane’s mom asks with a brow raised.
“Well, it’s been a while; but that’s because of my schedule.”
Zane’s mom gives me a wink and a smile. “Okay, Riley.”
Riley sighs. “I’ve got homework to do. Let me know when it’s ready.” With that, she practically skips out of the kitchen, snagging a grape on her way past the table and popping it into her mouth.
“Put me to work,” I tell Zane’s mom. She smiles at me. “Ever made blackened green beans?”