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He blinks twice. “Right, sorry.” He steps out of my way, and I walk away.
When the door to the ladies’ room closes behind me, I sag in relief. I don’t mind helping a friend out, but that kiss just screwed with my head. I enter one of the stalls to relieve my bladder, but I feel off-kilter. This isn’t a big deal. Evie screwed Evan over. It makes sense that I was there to help Evan and show Evie she didn’t break him. I did a good deed. Then why is it bothering me so much?
CHAPTERNINE
Evan
I’m back at the table, freaking the heck out. What did I just do? Kissing a woman who is easily becoming my best friend? It’s all kinds of messed up. Yet, I want Patty like my next breath. I told her I want to be her friend, but I’ve been attracted to her from day one. Talking to her makes me feel good. Evie crushed my heart and my ego. Having Patty in my life made everything better. She’s a potent mix of beautiful and kind. I’m not supposed to feel this way about my friend, but I can’t stop. I also can’t let her know this is how I feel, or she will go running for the hills and our friendship will be over. She so much as told me over and over she doesn’t do relationships. The fact we are friends is because I’m a pushy asshole. When I want something bad enough, I don’t relent—and there’s the small detail—we have a good time together. She is also my coach’s daughter and the team therapist. Sticking my tongue down her throat was a big no-no. Only the way she responded to me makes me think otherwise. She was just as hungry for me as I was for her. And the sweet taste of her tongue. . .I have to shift in my seat because I’m getting hard again from thinking of that kiss.
I take a deep breath. Think grandma. It doesn’t help because I never met either of mine. I scramble to come up with a good excuse as to why I kissed her. Patty will want to talk about what happened. It makes sense to dissect why my tongue down her throat felt so good. When I think of the way I pinned her to the wall like a hungry animal and ravished her lips. Damn. It was hot.
“Hi.” Her tone is high-pitched but she’s smiling and seems relaxed.
“Hi.” I blow out a breath, clearing my head and lean an elbow on the table. “Well, that was something. Thanks for helping me out.”
“Definitely.” She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and takes the seat across from me.
“That kiss isn’t going to make things weird between us, is it? I mean, I know I should’ve asked permission before kissing you like that. I was just caught off guard and you did tell Evie you were my girlfriend,” I mutter like an idiot. I’m saying all the wrong things.
“It was fine, Evan. A heads-up would’ve been nice. Given the circumstances there wasn’t time for that. Besides, is that woman serious? Does she think she can treat you like trash and then explain herself to you and it will all be okay?” Patty says, sounding affronted for me.
“Crazy, right? And she said it was a one-time thing. Like I really believe her. I saw her sitting at the table with her boss. He’s the same guy I caught her with. I feel like my mind will never be cleansed of the damn visual.” I shake my head.
Patty reaches out. “Sorry, this is hard for you.”
“I’m fine, Patty. I don’t care about Evie. I just care that she used me and made me feel stupid. We clearly weren’t on the same page.”
“What about that dessert?” Patty asks with a grin. My friend knows how to make me smile, and I do.
Patty knows me so well. Our friendship is real and good for both of us. How can I tell her I care more about kissing her tonight than seeing Evie?
I can’t tell her unless I want this friendship to end. I enjoy Patty too much, which means I will take what I can get and keep my feelings at bay.
“Dessert sounds perfect,” I state.
We ask the server for the dessert menu.
The server tells us what is on the menu, and I cock a brow and watch Patty.
“Uh uh.” She shakes her head. “You get to choose.”
“You are too good to me,” I joke. Evie used to hate my love of dessert. She’d worry how it would affect my game. I don’t eat dessert every day. Maybe a few times a week and for the amount I work out, it doesn’t make a difference.
“Chocolate torte and . . .” I tap my chin.
Patty laughs. She has a great laugh.
“Chocolate covered strawberries?” I ask her.
“Sounds messy,” she replies, and I get a visual of me feeding her chocolate strawberries in bed after I’ve made love to her.
“Chocolate mousse or death by chocolate cake,” I offer, wanting her to be a part of this important decision.
“Someone is in a chocolatey mood,” she chortles.
I’m in a horny mood. I’m in the mood to take her to bed after that hot kiss, but the chocolate will have to appease me.
“Surprise me, I’m so stuffed I may just have a taste.”
