Page 1 of The Wrong Side Of Us

Chapter 1

Evelyn

I bit my lip, looking up at the man in front of me. He was handsome, toned, with bright blue eyes and messy, light brown hair. Very, very handsome. He leaned in, pressing a kiss onto my cheek. Gentle. Soft. Tentative.

Wrong.

His hand caressed the soft skin of my neck as he tilted his face slightly, trying to kiss my lips.

Except when he pulled back slightly, and his eyes met mine, I didn’t see him anymore.

Nathan’s gray eyes looked back at me, catching me off guard and making me shake my head.

“Tonight was nice,” I said, clearing my throat. I’d tried, but I couldn’t. The dating scene wasn’t for me, especially when I could see only him.

“Can I come in?” James asked, a teasing smile on his face.

My heart raced, not because I was nervous around him, but because I didn’t know how to let him down easily, as I had with the others.

It was our second date, and the guy probably thought he was going to get lucky or something of the sort. He was so wrong. As handsome as he was, I just didn’t feel that spark. In fact, I didn’t feel a spark with anyone. I couldn’t find the person that could make me trust them…make me feel.

“Uh, I’m actually a bit tired,” I replied, forcing a smile.

He shoved his hands into his pockets, shaking his head. “Really? You seem pretty awake to me, Evie.”

My name sounded weird leaving his lips. I didn’t like it.

“It’s Evelyn,” I said. I let out a breath, fidgeting with my clutch. I had practiced this speech with several other men already. I went out on a lot of dates but they…sucked. “Listen, James, this has been nice, really. But I don’t think it’s going to work out.”

James frowned, his eyes fixed on my face. “I don’t understand.”

“I’m not interested in anything serious.”

His lips tilted up into a slow smirk. “I’m not either.”

Oh God.

“What do you say we have a good time tonight? If it happens again, then so be it, but if not, at least we made the most of it,” he said, stepping closer to me.

“You’re not understanding. I’m not interested at all. Sorry for wasting your time, James.”

I tightened the coat around me and finally stepped inside the condo building in which I lived. I could still feel his glare, but it didn’t matter, at least I was getting out of there.

After a year and a half of living in New York, I still couldn’t believe this was my home. Carter and I lived in the same building but in different areas, so we both had a sense of privacy. Still, every morning we had breakfast together and more than likely dinner too.

Friendships were difficult to come across now, and the only reason I tried to date was under the insistence of Carter. He wanted to see me happy with someone. I was by no means unhappy…I was just alone. I felt like I had to be. Trust was a word I didn’t fully believe in anymore.

I unlocked my condo, closing the door behind me and throwing my purse on the floor. “I’m not going on another date ever,” I promised, taking out a bottle of wine.

Before pouring myself a glass, I took off the uncomfortable dress and put on my pajamas, bundling myself up in one of the coziest blankets I had. I walked out onto the balcony with the bottle and glass, sitting down in one of the patio chairs.

Admiring the city lights was one of my favorite things to do. I was sure I had made the right decision; this place was the furthest thing from my previous environment, and I loved it. Even then, I couldn’t help but feel something was missing.

I enjoyed the anonymity of being in New York. No one knew me here, no one knew my past, and no one knew my story. The perfect place for a new start.

Except that new start never started. It seemed as if my life had just gotten stuck. Sure, I had things to do and had a place to live, but there was just so much that was still missing.

I stole a glance at my phone.

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