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“Snacks, huh?” I tried to hide the disappointment in my voice, but I was certain he heard it.
Evan unpacked the basket and handed me a small paper plate. I helped myself to some grapes. Anything to distract me. “Eli will be upset he missed this.”
“How is he?”
“Alright, I guess. It’s hard on him, what with Mom being up and down.”
I nodded, a million questions on the tip of my tongue. But since the day we found his mom drunk in their house, he’d pulled up that wall again. He hadn’t mentioned her or Eli until now, and he hadn’t invited me back to his house again. And I accepted it, like it was completely normal. Because I knew if I pushed him, I’d lose him.
What did that say about me?
About us?
“Hey,” Evan said, sliding his hand over mine. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I forced a smile.
“Becca.”
“I’m tired is all. The diner was busy, and I’m not used to working a Saturday.”
It was Evan’s turn to nod. He didn’t buy my excuse, probably because the truth was written all over my face. But I could never say the words.
I just wanted to enjoy the moment—while it lasted.
CHAPTER33
“Where the hell were you?”Lilly almost jumped on me when I reached her waiting by the bike racks.
“I, umm…”
“Wait, what is that I see in your eyes?” Her own eyes widened. “Becca?”
“Evan surprised me.”
“HE WHAT?”
“Lilly,” I hissed.
“Crap”—she shrugged apologetically—“I’m sorry. He surprised you how? I need deets, now.”
“You promise you won’t say a word to anyone? Not even Scarlett.”Mostly Scarlett.
She held up two fingers. “Scout’s honor.”
“Okay.” I leaned into her conspiratorially. “So I’m about to leave the diner when Evan shows up in a dress shirt and slacks…”
Lilly interrupted me at every stage of the story to double-check the facts, and by the end of it, her grin was wider than my own. “This is freaking awesome. I mean I knew you had it bad, but I didn’t realize he felt the same.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that. I mean we’re still sneaking around behind everyone’s backs.”
“Screw everyone else. This is Evan Porter we’re talking about. The rules don’t apply to him.”
I reared back, my face twisting with confusion. “What does that mean?”
“Well, you know, just that his—”
“Where were you Saturday?” Scarlett slung her arm over my shoulder. “We missed you.”
