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“Still, she’ll be happy to thank you in person.”
Blake smiled. He’d paved the way for Renee to go after her dream. Maybe she’d be willing to help him do the same for Everly. “Would you ask her to call me sometime before you two fly out here? There’s something I’d like to talk to her about.”
“Sure. I’m meeting her for dinner later. I’ll tell her to give you a shout.”
Blake’s boot tapped rhythmically on the porch. If Renee agreed to help him out, he’d have the biggest surprise for Everly.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Everly
Everly gasped for breath as Blake pulled her back into his arms. So much had changed since the last time they'd danced. She didn't have that hopeless feeling of being lost in a snowstorm. No more lamenting a future that was rightfully broken.
Blake's arm around her waist tightened as the music thudded in her ears. The lights, the dancing, and the rhythm of the band filled her head until there wasn't any room left for insecurities.
The rough stubble on Blake's jaw brushed against her cheek as the song came to a close. "Another, beautiful?"
She lifted her chin to be heard above the crowd. "I'll be right back." She pointed to the hallway in the back of Barn Sour that led to the restrooms and a door where people stepped outside to smoke.
Blake nodded to their table. "I'll get us some water."
Everly pushed her way through the crowd of dancers. Even brushing shoulders with dozens of people couldn't dim her happiness tonight.
Blake was her boyfriend, and it was all surreal. This peace and joy had been right here, standing beside her the whole time.
She sucked in a deep breath as she slipped into the old hallway. Rough wooden walls and dim lights hid years of smoke stains from before Donna took over the place and enforced the no smoking policy.
The bathroom was small with only the essentials, except the full-body mirror propped against one wall. Everly avoided glancing that way, knowing her ponytail was a mess and her mascara was probably smeared from sweat. She'd danced her heart out tonight, and she intended to keep doing it.
This was her life, and it was almost too good to be true.
After washing her hands and drying them, she unlocked the door and stepped out into the hallway, coming face-to-face with David.
Everly sucked in a breath, thrown off kilter by the intrusion of David into her happy world. He looked exactly the same. His dark hair was perfectly controlled, and his tailored suit stuck out like a sore thumb in the casual atmosphere.
And that determined frown. She’d seen it before, but he’d reserved that stern expression for business talks and getting what he wanted.
If he was here for her, not even an intimidating look could sway her heart back to him.
"Everly—"
She raised a silencing hand and interrupted his greeting. "What are you doing here?"
There was a split-second where his expression revealed shock at her forwardness, but he recovered so well, she questioned whether it had ever existed.
"The better question is what areyoudoing here? I've been looking all over for you, but a bar? Really, Everly? This isn’t like you."
Everly crossed her arms over her chest. His accusing tone only fueled her irritation. "It's barely seven in the evening, and it's not like I'm downing shots. I’m drinking water and dancing. There’s nothing wrong with that." She shook her head. She didn't owe him an explanation. "Never mind."
She turned to step past him, but David's hand wrapped around her upper arm. The grip wasn't forceful, but the fact that he'd touched her at all had the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end.
"Wait. I want to talk to you," David spat.
Everly jerked her arm from his grasp. "We're not talking. How many times have I asked you to stop calling and texting me? Enough is enough."
"I'm sorry. I miss you. This is crazy. Just come home." David's words held a plea, but there was something else beneath the surface. Desperation?
No, David wasn't a desperate man. He had pride with plenty to spare. So why was he looking for her? His mention of home struck her in the chest, but not in the way he’d intended. She never had a home with David.
