“Well, of course. How silly of me. This is exactly like a racetrack. And you should definitely have a bike.”
She beams. “Ok! We go!”
I snort as she tries to pull me up, grunting and straining. “Horsey,” she scolds, stomping her foot. “Up! You heavy.”
Laughing, I rise, snatching her up and rubbing my beard over her cheeks. Her giggles and squeals settle deep, making my chest ache. She’s mine, even if it can’t be official.
Hugging her close, I turn to my family. “Miss Mia needs a bike for the racetrack,” I say, tapping my foot on the track. “So what do you say we have some supper, then we’ll pick up mommy? Then…we’ll go get you a bike.”
19
EVIE
“Evie. Wait up!”
I turn, smiling at Jeremiah as he jogs to catch up. Our shifts line up, so we’ve become friends, though we’re in different departments. He smiles, wrapping an arm around my shoulder as we head down the hallway.
I don’t know when we moved from regular friends to touching friends, but I’m not going to make a big deal about it right now. I can’t wait to get outside.
“How are you holding up? How are your ribs? I heard about what happened.”
“They’re ok,” I say with a tired smile. “Just bruised.”
“Good. That’s good. Great.” He says with a nervous smile.
Raising my eyebrows, I shoot him a look. “Are you ok? You’re acting a little weird.”
He flushes and smiles awkwardly. He’s kind of cute. “Yeah. Ok. I’m sorry. But I’ve been wanting to ask you something.” I bite the inside of my cheek as he stutters and mumbles through a few more sentences before getting to the point. “I was wondering if you might like to go to dinner with me sometime?”
A handsome man just asked me out on a date. I try to work up a little enthusiasm, but it’s hard. If a certain mountain-sized man had asked me, I don’t think I’d have to force excitement.
“Oh. I’m flattered, Jeremiah.” I say with a ‘let him down easy’ smile. “I just wonder if that’s smart since we work together, I mean?”
He smiles. “We don’t work in the same department. But honestly, where else are we going to meet people? I think we’re both grown-ups. If you don’t want to, that’s totally ok, but I think we’re mature enough to handle whatever happens.”
I stop, turning to him with a frown. “You’re right. We are adults.” I study him, the lanky body, the pale skin, the kind smile. It’s wrong of me to wish he were someone else. Someone else didn’t ask me on a date. I don’t think he plans to either, and it’s pathetic of me to wait around waiting for him.
“I’d be happy to go out with you.”
We exchange numbers as we push outside. He grins adorably, “I’m looking forward to it. So much. Talk soon!” Then he jogs away.
I shake my head as my smile widens. His enthusiasm for our date is really endearing. And I’m actually a little excited too. Jeremiah is kind, funny, and has a smile for everyone he sees. He’s a solid guy.
Comparing him to anyone else, especially a large, tattooed mountain of a man, isn’t fair. Because there is no comparison. Colt is a friend, and I think that’s all he’ll ever be. No matter how much I might hope, it’s been made pretty clear that nothing’s going to happen there. Jeremiah though? There’s no reason not to try.
Still smiling, I turn and find Colt leaning against the minivan, eyes focused on Jeremiah’s retreating form. As I cross the twenty feet separating us, his dark eyes swing to mine. His jaw is tight, eyes narrowed, but he forces a smile on his face.
“Evie.” He glances back in the direction Jeremiah went. “Friend of yours?”
“Yes. We work together.” I answer slowly. Something about his tone has me on edge.
“He’s a nurse?”
“Yes…can we go home?” I ask, eyebrow raised, reaching around him for the door handle. He lets me open it, resting his arm on the top of the door, crowding me in. “Is he gay?” he asks quietly.
Frowning, I step closer. “What the fuck does that have to do with anything?”
Colt’s chin tilts, putting our faces inches from each other. “If he’s not gay, then he’s going to be begging you for a date, Evie.”
