Page 99 of The Challenge

I looked down at a smiling Effie. “Welcome to your home,” I said cheekily.

“Hi, Chloe!”

I bent to hug her, and she skipped past me into the house.

“Thanks again,” Evan said.

“Are you kidding? I should be thanking you for dropping off my buddy.”

He grinned. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“It’s honestly no rush.”

“Effie had a big lunch, so she should be good until dinner. I’ll make her something at home later.”

“Okay.” I didn’t argue that, since I didn’t have too much food in the house.

Evan looked into my eyes. “I’m dying to kiss you,” he muttered.

“I know.” I winked.

He leaned in and inhaled my scent. “Call me if you need me.”

I waved him away. “Don’t worry about us.” I stood at the door admiring his ass as he walked away.

After Evan left, I joined Effie in the living room.

“It’s weird to see our couch here,” she said.

Evan had moved some things from their previous home to this house, while other stuff was still in storage.

“It must be. I know your dad plans to add a lot more furniture once you guys move in.”

“Did you love living here?”

I sat on the couch next to her. “I really did.”

“How about now?”

“It’s a little different for me now, but still nice to be here.”

“Where is your mom?” she asked.

“She’s upstairs. Would you like to meet her?”

Effie nodded.

“Okay.” I stood and waved her toward the stairs.

As she followed me up, I warned, “She probably won’t say anything. But don’t take it personally. We talked about this, remember?”

“Yup.”

Effie slowed her steps as we approached the room. She stayed behind me, seeming a bit shy.

“Hi, Mom. I want you to meet my friend Effie.”

Remarkably, my mother turned to her. “Little Judy,” she said.