Page 36 of Bishop

“Fuck yes, I checked into you,” I freely admitted. “As soon as I got out of Cantiville, I found out all I could about you. I felt like I’d won the goddamned lottery when I didn’t have to hunt you down and you walked into my Club the night of my party.”

Evie looked down at her lap. “I was shocked to see you, too. I’d never guessed that it was your party that Angel had asked me to help cater.”

I placed my hand on her thigh and squeezed. “The universe keeps putting us together, Babe. I think we ought to listen to it.”

Evie didn’t seem convinced. “Is that so?”

“It is. In fact, our kids are going to love the story when we tell them about it one day,” I teased her.

Evie rolled her eyes. “Our kids, huh? How many are we talking about?”

“Well, I’m one of five, so we’ve got to have at least that many, or my mom is going to be pissed,” I explained.

“Five!” she repeated in shock.

“At least,” I clarified.

Evie snorted. “I suppose you want them to all be boys, too.”

“Nope, I want girls. I was raised by my mom and around four sisters. Girls are what I know.”

“I’ve noticed,” she retorted, giving me some world-class side-eye.

I laughed and turned left onto the main road. “Hey! I think I’d make a great dad!”

“I think you would, too. I bet you’d love those little girls and keep them safe,” Evie said earnestly.

I was glad she thought so. “You want kids?” This time, I wasn’t teasing her.

She shrugged. “I don’t know if I trust this world enough to bring them into it.”

“You got me now, Babe,” I assured her. “It’s my job to worry about that.”

Evie looked at me like she wanted to believe what I was saying, but wasn’t sure if she could.

“Do you need anything at the store before we go home?” I asked, slipping in the fact that I was going with her.

A delicate brow rose. “We?”

“Last chance,” I said, driving past the only convenience store that would still be open at this time of night.

“I don’t need anything,” she finally grumbled.

When I pulled into her apartment complex, I tried to swallow my anger. This place was a dump. I wasn’t going to let Evie stay here any longer than was necessary. As soon as I could convince her to move, she was out of this hellhole for good.

Parking the beater in an empty space outside her apartment, I cut the engine. Hopping out of the car, I opened her door and helped her out. The second she found her feet, my lips found hers and I kissed her like I was a drowning man, and she was my sole supply of fresh, clean oxygen.

Evie stood on her tiptoes to meet my kiss. I smiled, wondering if she would be this receptive the moment we were behind closed doors.

Reluctantly pulling away, I ushered her toward her shoebox-sized apartment. As soon as I did, I could see Evie was starting to get nervous. I needed to reassure her that I was willing to go at whatever speed she wanted. She was worth the wait. I just wanted to be with her. No strings attached.

“Come on, Babe. Show me around your place,” I encouraged, handing her the keys and the ability to make the final decision on the matter.

After several moments of hesitation, Evie nodded and led me through the front door of her apartment.

* * *

Evie

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