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Jess huffed. “He wouldn’t know love if it kicked him in the face.”
“I think he truly believes he can love me and still make out with other women. It’s weird to think about, but he kept telling me we could get past this like it was some relationship test.”
“That’s not what love is supposed to be like,” Jess said.
“I know. I don’t want lukewarm love. I want to know that my husband loves me with all his heart and soul. Same for me. I want a love that doesn’t falter and wander when things get tough or some better-looking woman comes along.”
“Right! Oh, and I looked up that Natasha Franco woman. She’s not as pretty as you.”
Everly smiled at her friend. She didn’t need anyone to reassure her that she was pretty. She’d always been comfortable in her skin. Still, Jess’s words held a special weight. She was honest to a fault and spoke the truth without flattery. When Jess said something, there wasn’t a reason to doubt it.
“Thanks, but I’ll be okay. It bothered me more that Megan told me he took Natasha to Pierre’s. That was my favorite restaurant!”
“What a jerk,” Jess mumbled. “I just wanted to make sure you weren’t thinking about giving him another chance or something.”
“No, that ship has sailed. Now I just need to figure out where I’m going from here.”
“Don’t rush. Get to know yourself. You’ve been the lesser valued part of a couple for half a decade. It’s time to focus on you and take things slow.”
Everly smiled. “That sounds like great advice. For someone who doesn’t date much, you sure are full of wise words.”
Jess zipped the bag and tossed it by the door. “Maybe one day I’ll get to use all of this relationship knowledge. I’m just not ready for anything like that yet.”
Everly and Jess had been friends for years, and their relationship statuses hadn’t changed. Everly had always been with David, and Jess had always been single. They’d talked about relationships before, but Jess never seemed eager to date.
“You don’t have to rush,” Everly said.
Jess propped her hands on her hips. “Back at ya. I just want something slow and simple. I want it to mean something. Most guys are in too big of a hurry for my taste.”
A knock at the door startled both of them, and they broke into laughter when Blake slowly opened the door.
“What’s so funny? Were you two talking about me?” he asked.
“Us? Never,” Jess drawled.
Blake narrowed his eyes. “Women talk too much.”
Jess crossed her arms over her chest and jutted her hip out. “As if you don’t gossip as much as the quilting group that meets at Stella and Vera’s every week.”
Blake leaned against the doorframe and frowned. “Why haven’t I been invited to the quilting parties?”
“You quilt?” Everly playfully asked.
“There are many things you don’t know about me.” He winked and picked up a full bag by the door. “You about ready to head out?”
“Um, almost.” Everly darted into the connecting bathroom and started packing things she’d need for the night and morning.
Blake had been making a joke, but Everly couldn’t help wondering what kinds of things she didn’t know about him.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Blake
Blake pulled into the driveway, and his headlights illuminated Ridge's truck parked in front of the garage. There went Blake's plans to offer Everly his spot in the garage. Ridge beat him to it.
After parking beside Everly's small sedan, Blake toed off his boots and stepped inside. The door barely made a sound as he opened it, but the kitchen lights were on. There was at least one person he wouldn't have to worry about waking.
Everly sat on a stool at the bar with her laptop open in front of her with a mug and book beside her. Her warm smile was tired, but it wasn't the fake one she used when she wanted to slide into the shadows without being noticed.
