Page 20 of Protecting my Zinnia

Before Zinnia and I are truly settled.

11

ZINNIA

Whenever my head is completely spinning, I throw my full energy into work. In high school, and later in college, it came in very handy.

Turning away from my incredible new computer, I see Lily is hard at work on a new website, as Rose mutters softly to herself while threading crystals onto a wire.

But turning back to my computer, for once I can't focus on my illustrations. I know I was way too hard on Evan. And yet—

Ugh. His heart is in the right place, but that doesn't mean I'm going to let him drive me nuts with his overprotective nature. I just can't.

Jumping up, I slip my shoes on to go for a walk. I pull my phone from the charger, and it rings just as I'm tucking it into my shoulder bag.

"Zinnia." Evan's voice is deep and rich as it purrs into my ear. My knees instantly soften, and I can't wait to see him again. Crap – why am I already addicted to this pig-headed man?

"Hi. What's up?"

"I'm parked in front of your apartment. Listen, I hate to ask, and I'm sorry to bother you, but I need a small favor on behalf of Mom."

"Be back later," I call to my sisters as I run down the steps. From everything I've heard about Evan's mother, and the look in his eyes when he speaks of her, she means the world to him. If she needs something, I have to help.

Hanging up the phone, I jump into his truck, loving the way his eyes light up when he sees me.

"For the record, I'm doing this for her, not for you. Also, what am I doing?"

He drives out to a house not far from his while explaining that Renee has a doctor's appointment, and he has an urgent repair job for a good client that cannot wait.

"Your mother can't be on her own for a couple of hours?"

He shoots me an uncomfortable look. "I know, but… She just had hip replacement surgery. She keeps insisting that she's fine, but she's still supposed to be resting. I just need someone who will stop her from jumping up and dusting the entire house."

"How am I supposed to do that? What makes you think she'll listen to me?"

"I think she might." Evan reaches out to squeeze my hand. "I'm really sorry that I lurked at your meeting today, Zinnia. I realize that's super close to the kind of control that your dad exerts."

That takes me by surprise. "Thank you."

"I ran into Doug earlier today," he says. "Your dad wants you to move to England?"

He looks so upset that I'm sorry I brought it up. "Yeah. We're trying to figure out a way to let him know we have plenty of adult supervision. Especially because you know… We're adults ourselves, for heaven's sake."

He parks the truck and runs around to help me out, lightly kissing the top of my hair. "I'm completely aware that you're an adult, but you need to be prepared for seriously overwhelming Mom energy in there. Please hang tough. It's just for a couple of hours."

"I understand."

As we walk toward the house, I suddenly freeze. "I just realized that I'm about to meet your mother. I'm not dressed for this. I—"

"Zinnia." Evan's hand locks on my hip as he stares down at me. "I know you're frustrated and angry with me. You have every right to be. Do you still want to work on this relationship? Because I do. I'm truly sorry for behaving like an ass, and I want to be better for you. For us."

I'm genuinely taken aback. He's finally aware of the problem, and he's willing to work on it. That surprises me. He's so hardheaded most of the time, then he turns around and asks for clarification – and before a monumental event like this?

There is definitely hope.

"I'm open to working on it."

His gorgeous eyes light up. "Thank you. And relax, you're dressed just fine." He kisses the top of my head again, then leads me into a big white house filled with colorful furniture.