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Evie released a slow breath.
Carson wasn’t her first crush, but he was her first kiss, so maybe that was why she was feeling so attached to him. But deep down, she knew she was making excuses. Ones that she was believing in right now. Finally, she moved to her closet, where she’d stashed the few belongings that she’d brought. She pulled on jeans that were still clean, then buttoned up a violet shirt. Next, she headed to the bathroom and added a few more waves to her hair with a curling wand.
She was as ready now as she was ever going to be. She didn’t know who she’d be running into tonight, but she planned to not let any of it bother her. As a visitor, after all, she was no longer emotionally invested in any of these people. Aside from her family, she didn’t care. Shouldn’t care.
She sent Carson a text. Do you want to meet there or go together?
I’ll pick you up in ten if that’s okay.
Ok.
Exhaling, she slipped her phone into her pocket and headed down the hallway to the front room to find her parents both there. They were sitting on the couch as if waiting to talk to her.
She slowed her step and turned to them. “I shouldn’t be too late.”
“Have a seat, dear,” her mom said. “Holt brought something to our attention.”
Evie’s stomach plummeted. She’d wanted to move on from all of this and not rehash it again. But she sat down, facing her parents.
“Is what he said true?” her dad said, leaning forward. His rugged face was creased with concern. “About how you’ve been feeling like we don’t trust you with decisions?”
“Yeah,” she said. “It wasn’t really with you guys as much, just with my brothers growing up. And I guess a little bit now, too.”
“I don’t mean to pressure you into moving back to Prosper,” her mom said. “But we’d love to have you here, of course. We do trust your decisions, though, and we definitely know you’ll do great things wherever you land.”
“Thanks,” Evie said, swallowing against the growing lump in her throat. “I appreciate that.”
“Sweet pea,” her dad said, rising to his feet and crossing over. “You’ve got our full support, whatever you decide to do.”
She stood and stepped into his arms and hugged him. Relief swept through her. Her dad pulled her close and patted her back. “And that Carson Hunt. He’s a fine fellow.”
Evie smiled. “Yeah, he is.”
Next, her mom hugged her.
When she stepped away from her parents, she said, “I’m going back to campus tomorrow morning.”
Her mom immediately began to protest, but her dad said, “Heidi, let her finish.”
“I need a couple of days to myself to catch up on homework and get ready for an interview on Monday.” She told them about the interview, and soon, both of her parents were smiling.
Had it really been this simple all along—that she could open up a little, and her resentment would wash away?
No, she knew it wasn’t that simple. She still had Racoons to face, and who knew what she’d encounter there. Just then, she heard a truck rumbling up the drive. She glanced over to see that sure enough, Carson had arrived.
Her heart immediately soared, then plummeted. Carson had put the wrench in all of her plans, and tonight might very well be the last night they spent together. If the interview went great on Monday, then really, it would be selfish to keep dating Carson. Wouldn’t she be leading him on?
One day at a time, she whispered to herself as she headed outside. But was that fair to either of them?
Carson was already out of his truck, and Evie drew in a breath at the sight of him. His navy button-down made no secret of the breadth of his shoulders, and his dark jeans only made him look taller. He wore a nicer cowboy hat than she’d ever seen him wearing.
“You’re all dressed up,” she teased.
His gaze met hers, and heat flashed through her, because she could see he was appreciating her as much as she was appreciating him. He also smelled amazing.
“You look beautiful,” Carson said, reaching for her hand and wrapping his warm fingers around hers.
Evie’s heart jolted. She shouldn’t be reacting like this to him. Tonight was about introducing him to more people in Prosper so that when he returned, not her, he’d have a wider base of those he’d met.
