“Who, Slater? He’s fine. He just flew cross-country last night and he’s probably just tired, that’s all.” She sat back down. “So, how’s your day going?”
“Good. Can’t complain. Just waiting for the boss man to make his move to the East Coast so we can all relax a bit. You know how annoying it is having someone constantly looking over your shoulder.”
That seemed like an odd statement to make. “Milo doesn’t hover over anyone unless they’re not doing their work.” The words were out before she realized how they probably sounded. “Anyway…” She reached for the wedding invitation. “What do you think of the whole Costa Rica thing? Pretty exciting right?”
“Definitely,” he agreed, sliding his hands into his trouser pockets. “It is going to be so freaking cool! So many possibilities for a good time, if you know what I mean.”
“Um…”
“Hopefully, the wedding won’t take up all of our time so we can go off and do our own thing.”
Okay, it seemed like they were on the same page. “I’m so glad you feel that way,” she said, relief washing over her. “It’s going to be nice for us to go as each other’s plus-ones! I was hoping you’d want to. I mean…after the last month and all, I wasn’t sure if it was too soon to do this, but…”
“Evie…uh…” Pausing, Tucker raked a hand through his hair. “Damn. I don’t know what you’re talking about, but…I didn’t mean for us to be each other’s dates!” His bark of laughter was way too loud and nearly made her jump out of her chair. “I mean…you’re cool to hang out with and all, but it’s not like we’re dating or anything.”
Say what now?
For a moment, she was too stunned to speak.
“You didn’t think all those hangouts were dates, did you?” he asked, and Evie could tell he was trying hard not to laugh.
“Um…kind of?” she murmured.
“Oh, wow. Uh…so…yeah. You’re nice and everything, but like…as a friend.”
“We kissed, Tucker. A lot!”
Now he started to at least look a little chagrined. “Okay, yeah, but…I’d had a few drinks and you were kind of…you know…I mean…what was I supposed to do?”
“Are you saying they were…pity kisses?” she hissed, seriously hating that they were having this conversation in a fairly public area.
Tucker took a small step back. “I don’t think I’d say pity,” he countered. “But…come on, Evie. You and I have nothing in common. I like a more outgoing type of woman. One who’s a little more adventurous and laid back.” He shrugged. “No offense, but…you’re kind of…quiet and a little uptight.”
Her eyes went wide. “I’m uptight? Seriously? And if you thought all those things, why were we hanging out so much?”
“Honestly? I was hoping that you’d invite your friend Bethany to hang out with us one night. You brought her to trivia night last month and…well…you both talked about how much you hang out together, so I figured if you and I hung out, she’d eventually show up.”
“Unbelievable,” she mumbled. “Freaking unbelievable.” Shaking her head, she wanted to scream.
“I know this probably isn’t the best time to ask, but…do you think she’d mind if I called her? Or maybe you can ask her to call me?”
“Are you kidding me right now?” she snapped. Right now, she wanted to throw something at his stupid face. “I’m not going to help you hook up with my friend, Tucker.”
“Why not? I just explained how you and I weren’t dating, so…?”
“Just go,” she said wearily. “I don’t want to talk about this.”
“Yeah, sure, but…I thought you and I were friends.”
Ugh. He was going to try to guilt her? Seriously?
With a huff of annoyance, she looked up at him. “I’ll tell Bethany to reach out to you. I’ll give her your number.”
“Thanks, Evie! You’re the best! Maybe I’ll bring her to the wedding! Won’t that be awesome?”
“Yup. Awesome,” she replied flatly.
When he finally turned and walked away, she felt utterly and completely mortified. How had she wholly misread their relationship?
