Page 8 of Kept By The Mountain Man

“I had a smoothie,” she replies, her tone defensive.

“That’s it? You need more than that.”

“It was a big smoothie,” she grumbles, crossing her arms over her chest. I give her a sideways glance, unimpressed.

“I’ll stop and get you something else.”

“That’s not necessary.” She’s trying to sound firm, but there’s no hiding the small crack in her voice.

“I can’t have my girl going hungry.” My voice softens slightly, though the words are matter-of-fact.

She sighs, clearly frustrated. I wonder if I’m pushing too hard, coming on too strong. But this is just who I am. I need to take care of her.

“Do you always have a smoothie for breakfast?” I ask, my voice quieter this time as I navigate the streets, my eyes scanning for a place to grab food.

“No.”

“Then why today?” I glance at her again as I pull into the McDonald’s drive-thru, something tugging at the back of my mind.

She hesitates, and when she finally speaks, her voice is so low I almost don’t hear her. “I’m trying to lose some weight,” she mumbles, her words rushed and uncomfortable.

I hit the brakes so hard that the car jerks, and both of us lurch forward. The honking from the car behind us barely registers as my grip tightens on the steering wheel.

“For fuck’s sake, why?” I bark, turning to her with wide eyes.

She stares back, stunned by my outburst. “I… I mean, I could use it,” she says softly, looking down at her lap.

I shift into park, ignoring the horn blaring behind us. “No, you don’t,” I say, my voice low and serious. “You’re perfect, Evie. Your curves are so goddamn sexy. That Claire or whatever her name is, she’s just jealous. Don’t let them get to you.”

She looks at me, wide-eyed and silent, clearly shocked by the intensity of my words. It’s probably the longest I’ve spoken in asingle breath in years. I feel my heart racing in my chest as I wait for her to say something, anything.

Finally, she nods, and I let out a slow breath, shifting back into drive and pulling up to the window. I place our order, making sure to add a hash brown to her meal. I know how much she loves potatoes.

She tries to argue when I pay, but I just wave her off. “My treat.”

The rest of the drive is quiet, both of us focused on our food. I can feel the tension still hanging between us, but it’s not uncomfortable. It’s something else, something unspoken, but it’s there. The more time I spend with Evie, the more I realize how much Iwantthis to be real.

“Thanks for breakfast,” she says as I park outside my house, breaking the silence.

“Anytime,” I reply, meaning every word. Before I can get out and open her door, she’s already hopping out on her own. I follow her up to the front door, watching the way she moves, the way she holds herself.

I’m determined to make an effort here, to show her what it would be like toreallybe with me. I want Evie to fall for me, to realize that this fake dating thing doesn’t have to be fake at all.

“Today should be a light day. Let me know when you’re done, and I’ll drive you home. We can grab dinner tonight on the way back,” I say as we step inside.

“You don’t have to,” she says, her usual protest ready, but I give her a firm look.

“Listen, Evie, you should know this by now, but I’ll say it plainly—I never do anything I don’t want to do.”

She watches me, her eyes searching mine as she sets her things down on the dining room table. I really need to get her a proper desk.

“Okay. Dinner sounds good,” she finally says, a small smile tugging at her lips.

“Great. It’s a date.” I grin, turning and heading toward my own office, the anticipation buzzing in my chest.

Tonight isn’t just going to be any date. It’s going to be our first date. And if I have anything to say about it, it’s going to be our last first date, too.

FIVE

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