Eleven days to be exact.
It was something he refused to think about because he just couldn’t. There was a time when it would have been no big deal, but now…it was. Evie would never be someone he was going to be okay walking away from. And even though technically she was the one walking away, it somehow made it worse.
And that was a brand-new feeling for him.
In the past, it never bothered him when a woman walked away; he actually preferred it. But this wasn’t just any woman, and this wasn’t just a one-night stand. If he were being totally honest, he’d say that this was some kind of cruel joke. This was the kind of thing he’d been telling himself he never wanted and was totally fine living without. But now that he’d had a taste of it? Pfft…the joke really was on him because he was starting to want it too much.
But you can’t have it. She’s leaving. What are you going to do, follow her to Seattle?
It wasn’t the worst idea. There were plenty of tour companies in the Pacific Northwest that he could easily find work.
He just had no idea if it was something Evie wanted.
Or maybe since I am a grown-ass adult, I’m allowed to have a purely sexual relationship with a man who has made me feel more beautiful and alive than I ever have!
Raking a hand through his hair with a weary sigh, he heard her words playing over and over. Maybe all she wants is a sexual relationship with him. After all, he wasn’t exactly the poster boy for the guy you bring home to meet the family. And from everything Evie had ever told him about her family, they were pretty traditional and overall decent people. They’d probably take one look at him and remind her she could do better.
And she could. Slater knew she could. She definitely deserved better than someone like him, but that didn’t stop him from wanting to beat the shit out of any guy who even got close to her.
He was saved from any more of these unreasonable musings by a knock on the door. Axel let himself in before he could answer.
“Hey! Reece and Evie are on their way down to the cabin. You ready?”
Slater froze. “Why is Reece with Evie?”
“He went to Milo’s office in town to talk to him about the amphitheater, and apparently Evie knew he was coming here next and she wanted to be here to hear about the cabin.” He paused. “You’re not upset or anything, are you?”
Was he?
Hell yes.
“I just don’t see why she had to ride here with him,” he replied, hoping he sounded casual, but knowing he didn’t. “I mean, why couldn’t Milo just bring her back here? Why couldn’t he just leave early one day? Would it kill him to do something for Evie instead of it being the other way around?”
All Axel did was smirk.
“It just seems like Reece is more than a little interested in Evie, and I don’t like it. Satisfied?”
Chuckling, Axel nodded. “As a matter of fact, I am. But you have to know that the feeling isn’t mutual. Anyone with eyes can see it. When you’re in the vicinity, you’re the only thing she sees.”
“Really?” he asked, feeling completely goofy for even asking.
“Yeah, really. We all see it. And before you start preening, you’re no different. You constantly watch her. Like watch her. It’s a little uncomfortable at times.
“Shut up.”
“So what are you going to do about it?”
Frowning, Slater forced himself to move and grab his jacket. “I don’t know.”
“Wow. That’s…not what I expected.”
“Why not?”
“Because she’s leaving soon and I would’ve thought you’d have a plan by now. Not for nothing, Slater, but this hasn’t looked like a casual relationship. And now you’re…you know…living together.”
It was on the tip of his tongue to deny it, but…why?
Walking toward the door, he shrugged. “Look, this is all new to me, and I’m just…I’m trying to figure it all out. I don’t know the right thing to do, or what I should do, or even what Evie wants me to do. She’s going back to Seattle because that’s where her life is. But she’s also heading to Costa Rica for her brother’s wedding and…I don’t know where I fit into any of that or if she’s thinking of anything beyond…you know…this.”
