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Reaching out, he ran his thumb across her lower lip. When her lips parted slightly on a sigh, he groaned, “But that doesn’t mean I don’t really want to.”
When he drew his hand back, she gave him a sardonic smile and said, “Trust me. I know the feeling.”
Looking at her steadily, he asked, “Friends, then?”
She gave him a nod and said, “I should go inside.”
“Night, sweetheart,” he said.
“Night,” she answered, giving him a little wave.
* * * *
Evan had just closed his mailbox when he heard the lock on the side door opening. The door opened and Taryn walked in wearing a red and white striped dress and red heels. He was pretty sure that this was the first time he’d seen her in a dress. He felt an irrational surge of jealousy as he wondered if she’d been on a date.
She looked up, gave him a halfhearted smile, and said, “Hey.”
“You’re looking fancy,” he said.
“Cora’s parents had a thing at the country club tonight, so I went,” she said, simply.
“Cora’s parents?” he echoed. “I thought you were sisters.”
“We are. It’s a long story,” she said, waving his question away.
He scrutinized her face and finally said, “Maybe one day you’ll tell me.”
“Okay,” she said, nodding.
“Oh, hey. Do you have a second? I want to show you what I did on the roof today,” he said, changing the subject.
She took a step and winced, asking, “Do I need shoes for it?”
Considering, he shook his head and said, “I don’t think you’ll need shoes.”
He watched as she slid the heels off and walked barefoot up the stairs with him. When they rounded the second landing and passed their apartments, he saw her look longingly at her door.
“It’s just going to take a second, then you can go soak your feet,” he said, grinning.
“You read my mind,” she said. “My arches are killing me.”
They climbed the last set of stairs in silence. He opened the roof door and she said, “Whoa. There’s a lot more going on here than last time I was up here.”
“Just wait,” he said, moving for the timer box. Twisting the knob, he waited until the lights came on.
He watched her face as she took it all in. He’d added the chaise lounges, the picnic table, and the grill. He’d woven some lights through a trellis and set them up on a timer so he’d be able to see at night.
She made a full circle, taking it all in, and then said, “It’s beautiful.”
“I’m glad you like it,” he said, feeling irrationally pleased that she liked it so much. “You can entertain up here if you like.”
Her face brightened slightly and she said, “Thanks. I’ll definitely make use of this. It’s fantastic.”
Stepping toward her, he tilted her chin up and said, “Now tell me what’s wrong. You look so sad.”
Letting out a shuddering sigh, she said, “Rough night.”
“Tell me,” he said, continuing to look at her steadily.
