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Jensen nodded, his lips pulling back devilishly. “That works for me. I’m almost done here, but I’ll see you later.”
Without another word, I turned on my heel and headed up the stairs to the back deck. I knew Nyla would have something to say the second we walked inside.
“No repeats of the past, huh? Are you talking about night of the infamous one-night stand?”
Groaning, I walked over to the bar stools by the kitchen counter and sat down. “We don’t need to get drunk and stumble into bed together. That’s not how this needs to start.”
Nyla came up beside me. “By the way you were both staring at him at each other, the tension was about to choke me. If you two find yourselves alone, there’s no doubt you won’t be able to resist.”
Sighing, I hung my head. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
More hammering ensued outside, so I went to the glass door. Jensen finished with the last board and tossed his hammer into his tool bag.
“This week has been insane,” I confessed. “I can’t get him out of my mind.”
Nyla giggled and joined me by the door. “Do what feels right, Everleigh. We only live once. I’d give anything to find someone who looks at me the way Jensen looks at you.” She bumped me with her shoulder and nodded toward the kitchen. “Come on. You need to drink a mojito with me so it can loosen you up. Then, we’re going to get you ready for this date.”
She walked away and I followed her to the kitchen, sitting back down on the bar stool while she gathered all the ingredients for the strawberry mojitos. Was I ready for my date with Jensen? In a few short hours, I was about to find out.
19
JENSEN
After leaving Everleigh’s, I returned home and showered before heading back to her house. I was dressed in a pair of khakis, a mint green polo shirt, and boots. When I arrived, Everleigh was standing on the stairs, her golden hair in a low ponytail with wisps blowing around her face. In her arms was a picnic basket, and she wore a light blue dress with a thin white sweater. She looked like an elegant summer breeze, and my heart raced in anticipation. I wanted her to be mine, but I told myself to be patient. What I hated was that time was not on our side. It was already mid-June, and she was planning to leave for Boston at the beginning of August. We needed to do things right this time, and I hoped and prayed I could do just that.
Grinning, I exited my car and nodded at the wicker basket. “A picnic, huh?”
Everleigh smiled at me and nodded. “Well, I thought about messing with you and asking you to take me to Boca in Sunset Harbor, but . . .”
Her smile widened and I chuckled. “I would’ve gladly taken you there,” I said genuinely.
She shrugged casually. “I know, but eating a three-hundred-dollar meal isn’t my style.”
Boca was an expensive restaurant not far from Oak Island that specialized in Spanish, Mediterranean, and Moroccan-style tapas. It wasn’t the type of food I preferred, but I would’ve taken her anywhere.
I opened the passenger side door for her and she hopped in. “Did you not have any of those arrogant doctor types up in Boston taking you out for pricey meals?” I joked.
Everleigh smirked with mischievousness in her eyes. “Lots of times,” she said sarcastically before rolling her eyes and exhaling loudly. “I’m kidding, it wasn’t a lot. But yeah, I went on several dates to high-profile restaurants, and it turned out it wasn’t my thing. I like simple . . . I always have. So that’s why you and I are going to have a picnic in the park. Then, after that, we’ll get ice cream and walk around downtown Southport.”
That brought a smile to my face. “Just like old times?”
She nodded. “Exactly. I was feeling nostalgic.”
After shutting her door, I went to my side and set the basket in the back seat before getting behind the wheel. The evening air was a little humid, but riding around with the top off on the Bronco felt good.
“So, what are we eating?” I asked, glancing over at Everleigh.
She grinned and kept her gaze on the road. “You’ll see. Nyla helped me get it all together.”
We pulled up to the park a few minutes later and found the perfect spot near the water to have our picnic. I set the basket down on the ground and Everleigh opened it, shielding the contents from me. She reached in and pulled out a red and black plaid blanket, then spread it out on the ground.
“Sit,” she commanded, giving me a smirk. “I hope you’re hungry.”
I did as she said and watched as she set everything out. There were two ham sandwiches, pasta salad, a cucumber salad with tomatoes and avocado, and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.
“I’m impressed,” I said, my stomach growling as I scanned the feast before me. I pointed at the pasta salad. “Is that your grandmother’s recipe?”
Everleigh beamed. “Of course. She was the best.”
