Page 70 of The Match

I just keep reminding myself, though, to not rock the boat tonight. Get in. Grab the check. Get out.

“Evie, how nice to see you again!” says Amy Murray. She’s as feline as I’ve ever seen. The only woman who could ever give my mom a run for her money. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, right? Mom and Amy act like friends; they keep everything southern sweet, but there is an unspoken code between them that says, If you double-cross me, I will destroy you. “Tyler, dear, come see Evie! How long has it been since you two have seen each other?”

My eyes meet Tyler’s, and he’s smirking like the devil as he looks at me and Jake. I feel a chill settle over me, and I’m worried that Tyler is in on this trap. I fall in line beside Jake, and suddenly I feel his hand tap mine in a silent question. My answer is to take it firmly in mine.

“Actually, Tyler and I already ran into each other a week ago. By the way, how’s that rash treating you these days, Tyler? I hope it’s all cleared up.”

“Evie Grace, always such a jokester,” says Tyler, rounding the love seat to come stand in front of Jake and me. He’s wearing a suit that I’m sure costs upward of five thousand dollars. He sticks his hand out toward Jake, giving him his most winning (vicious) courtroom smile. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Tyler Murray. Longtime friend of Evie.”

Looking on, you might think this is polite. No way. This is a strategic power move, because now Jake is forced to let go of my hand to shake Tyler’s.

“Jacob Broaden. Guy who’s lucky enough to be dating Evie,” says Jake, and I cringe because he’s already broken my second rule. Keep your mouth shut.

Everyone in the room chuckles like they’ve already somehow rehearsed this little skit before we arrived and know their cues.

Dad swoops in out of nowhere. “You’ll have to be more specific than that, Jake. Any number of men could boast that same title.” Umm, that is so not true. Not even a little.

My smile tightens, and I look at Jake, afraid that he’s going to be mad about what he’s heard, given his past relationship with his wife. I know he’s skittish. But when I look up, he gives me a reassuring smile and wraps his hand around my hip. “I’m just grateful to have made the cut.”

We all continue on with small talk for a few minutes about the law firm and how much Tom misses being in the thick of the action. After that, they spend a solid ten minutes gloating over Tyler and all of his achievements and the cases he’s won since taking over at the firm. I want to gag. Tom and my dad then volley back and forth about whose golf swing is better while my mother and Amy gossip about Cathey’s new nose. All in all, everything is mind-numbingly boring—just the way I like it. No boat rocking tonight, and Jake and I get to sit quietly and observe.

It’s when we sit down to dinner that I realize we have exactly enough place settings for everyone. That’s odd. I never told Mom that Jake was coming with me. I look up and notice that Tyler is staring at me from across the table. Staring like a serial killer finalizing his plans. He raises his glass to his mouth, smirking and never breaking eye contact. My heart rate picks up speed, and I can feel that he has something up his sleeve. Something that I’m not prepared for but he is. Something everyone at this table is prepared for, because there is an extra place setting here. Oh crap. This is the trap. They knew I’d bring Jake. Planned on it.

Suddenly, Tyler’s gaze cuts to Jake, and he sets down his glass. “You own your own architectural firm, do you not?” Now, how did he know that? I sure didn’t tell anyone in my family, so how in the world would Tyler know that? Shoot. My parents must have had Jake investigated. (Because Melony and Harold do not rely on Google.)

I glance around the table and notice how it looks like everyone is running their lines in their head, waiting for their cues again.

“You’re right, I do.” Jake’s smile is so kind and open and I hate these people for baiting him. He’s completely oblivious to the knife they are about to plunge into his chest. I put my hand on his thigh under the table to warn him, but he doesn’t get the hint.

“Ah, yes,” my dad says from the far end of the table. “Evelyn told us all about it. She went on and on about how proud she is of you for owning such a successful company.” I did not! I look at Jake and hope he will feel my thoughts meld with his. This is a trap! Something is afoot! “I’ve got to say, I’m impressed by you, Jake. To own Goddard Smith is something to be proud of.”

WHAT?!

Jake’s brows twitch together, and his smile dims. “Oh . . . uh—

I don’t own Goddard Smith, sir. My company is Broaden Homes.”

My father looks at me with a put-on frown that could win him an Oscar. “Why did you tell me he owned Goddard Smith, then?” Oh, he’s good. They’re all good. Sitting here, acting like this wasn’t a battle strategy to drive a wedge between Jake and me while also making him feel belittled.

“I didn’t say anything of the sort!” I flash my eyes to Jake next. “I really didn’t. I never told him you owned that company. In fact, I haven’t told them about you at all!” Oh. But that just made things worse, didn’t it?

Jake’s smile is oh-so-tight now, and I can see that he’s trying his best to not let this situation eat at him. I touch his arm, and he whispers, “It’s fine.”

It’s not fine. I can tell it’s not.

“Evelyn Grace, tell Amy all about your wonderful little service dog company.” Now it’s a wonderful company, is it?

“Oh yes!” says Amy, eyes twinkling in rehearsed anticipation. “You know, a few girls from the club and I were just saying that we need a new little project to keep us busy. And from what your mom says, it sounds like your company could use a few patrons.” She pauses. “Or . . .” Blink. Blink. Blink. She turns her doe eyes to Tyler. “Actually, Tyler might be just the person for the job.”

“Tyler?” I don’t bother to keep the disgust from my voice.

“Well, yes! Who better than him? I’m sure that he could drum up all kinds of high-profile sponsors for you with all his connections from New York. You two could get together and brainstorm through a game plan. You would be happy to work with Evie to further her company, wouldn’t you, son?”

Gag me. Do they really think I don’t see through this charade?

“I’d love to help you with your company, Eves,” he says in a way that sounds like he’s undressing me with his words.

I give him a tight-lipped smile. “Thanks, but I’ve got it all handled. Our benefit is tomorrow night, and I already have lots of big companies signed up to donate services and items for everyone to bid on. So, yep. Don’t need your help.”

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