“It’s not a question of it being too late,” I tell her as we pass the UL Alumni House.
Evie glances at the road ahead, prompting me to do the same, and then we look back at each other.
“Is that something you want?”
I want to give you a home.
The force of this sudden desire nearly pulls me off the bike. But it’s real. And it’s been waiting to pounce since I saw the guest room where she’s staying. Evie needs a home of her own. Somewhere she isn’t just a guest. Somewhere she isn’t questioned or doubted. And I want to give it to her. To share it with her.
I picture my apartment but dismiss the idea immediately. Grandma Q would welcome Evie, I know, but Evie still wouldn’t think of it as hers since it isn’t truly mine. And it’s too small. Too small for Evie.
I know without having to think about it that Evie needs space. Rooms of space. Not just one loft. She needs room to practice yoga. Privacy to meditate. A yard for Gemini. Evie needs a house.
And I can give one to her as a mechanic, but not until I’m full time.
As we turn onto Coolidge Street, I pledge to myself I’ll ask Chip and Cody tomorrow to make me full-time. If they say no, I’ll start looking for a second job.
“Should I not have asked that question?”
Evie’s timid voice pulls me from my thoughts. “Huh?” I see the line of worry that’s now grooved between her brows, and I remember myself. “Oh. No. No. I don’t mind you asking. And, no. That’s not something I want. I like working on cars. I don’t need a bachelor’s degree to do that.”
Her smile flashes bright, and it makes her whole face shine. “I love that.”
“What?” And I can’t deny that hearing her say the wordlovesends the chambers of my heart into overdrive for a few seconds.
“That you like what you do. That you have that fulfillment.” She looks so content, I’m humbled. How can my fulfillment, my contentment, mean so much to her?
I don’t deserve her. But, God almighty, I love her.
We stop at University Avenue and have to wait for a break in the traffic before crossing. I’m glad for the delay because I need a minute to rein in my emotions. Because all I want to do is tell her how I feel, and that’s just not allowed.
Traffic clears, and piping with happiness, Evie takes off. “C’mon,” she calls behind her. I obey, knowing I’d ride this bike to hell itself if she told me to follow.
When we pull into the parking lot, I run my eyes over the exterior of the restaurant. Not a frill in sight. But the dreamcatcher symbol beside the restaurant’s name has me beating back a laugh.
“Oh, Guppy,” I mutter under my breath.
“Did you say something?” she asks, parking her bike just outside the entrance.
I shake my head not daring to speak. Evie sees me fighting laughter and narrows her eyes in a playful glare.
“Is it too much to ask for you to keep an open mind?”
I pull my bike next to hers and take the lock from her little white basket. “I have such an open mind, I’m going to let you order for both of us.”
Her mouth falls open. She might even look a touch afraid. “W-what if you don’t like what I order?”
I raise a brow at her. Can’t she tell I don’t give a shit about that? “I trust you.”
I love youis what I want to say, but confessing I trust her feels pretty damn good.
Evie triple blinks. “Youdo?”
“Evie,” I say, eyeing her with pretend disappointment.
She gives a little gasp of surprise before clamping her hands on my shoulders. As if to keep me still. As if I would pull alway. No chance of that.
And then she’s kissing me. In the parking lot. In front of University Avenue. Across the street from the police station of all places.
