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“Oh.” He’s trying so hard to hold back a smile. He adopts his serious face. “I’m sorry.”
“No, you’re not,” I mutter under my breath. I know deep down he’s jumping for joy. He was so distraught when he learned I was dating.
“I’m sorry that he made you this unhappy.”
“Can we drop it? I want to relax and forget about Chase.”
“Sure.” He puts his hands on my shoulders and starts kneading them. I want to tell him to stop, but it feels nice. I roll my neck around, stretching my aching muscles. “How’s your new job?”
“I love it.”
“That’s great.” He runs his knuckles up and down my back, applying pressure as he goes. I loved when he used to do that. I finish my glass, and he orders me another one. “Have you eaten anything?”
“Not since breakfast.”
“You should eat something. I don’t want you to get sick.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
“I’ll order the crab dip. I know how much you love it.” He waves one of the bartenders over and places the order. As he speaks to the bartender, I remember how comfortable I am with him. It feels almost as if we didn’t split up. But we did.
My phone rings . . . again. I look at the caller ID. It’s Chase, not that I’m surprised. He’s been blowing up my phone all week. Evan is looking over my shoulder and takes the phone out of my hand. “Hey, give that back,” I protest. Not only doesn’t he give it back, but he answers it. Shit.
“Hello,” he answers nonchalantly. There is a brief pause, most likely Chase trying to figure out who answered my phone and why it wasn’t me.
“She doesn’t want to talk to you, so stop calling her.” I can hear a low murmur coming from the phone. He must be yelling. “She’s not your concern anymore. She’s upset and confiding in me.” The murmur is louder now. “I’ll take care of her,” and he hangs up. Holy shit.
“That was unnecessary,” I snap at him.
“What?” he says, all innocent now. There’s a smug smile on his face.
“I can handle my own shit. I don’t need you to do it for me.” He hands me back my phone, having the decency to look contrite.
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay. Just don’t do it again.”
The bartender places the crab dip down in front of me. The couple that was sitting next to me leave, so Evan jumps at the chance to sit down.
He was right. I am starving, and the wine is starting to make me light headed. Evan slides the bar stool closer to me so our legs are touching. “Why don’t we do something this weekend?” he suggests. “It will keep your mind off . . .” He pauses, searching for the right word. “Things.”
“I don’t know. I need time to think.”
“C’mon. It’ll be fun.”
“Let me think about it.” He nods and continues to pick at the dip. I don’t want to sit home all weekend. It will cause me to think about Chase, and I might be tempted to go over and see him. I’m not sure hanging out with Evan is the smartest thing to do.
Everything that happened with Chase was so quick and intense. It was bound to burn out fast. And as much as I’m still angry at Evan for what he did, I’m more hurt that Chase, knowing what happened with Evan, could even think of being unfaithful.
Evan looks over at me. “What are you thinking about? There’s smoke coming out of your ears.”
“Ha ha.” He chuckles at my comment. “Thinking about what I’m going to do with you.” I shove him. He exaggerates my push and pretends to almost fall off the stool, making me giggle. This is what it used to be like with him. Comfortable and safe. I can relax around him. Suddenly, a thought pops into my head. “Have you seen her?” I ask, my face as impassive as I can muster.
“Have I seen who?”
“You know who.” I take a sip of my wine as he tries to answer.
“No. I told you it was a one-time thing. A very big mistake at that.”
