Page 81 of Honor

The smile he tosses me is unwanted and unwarranted, but it does bring another to Evie’s face, so I soften my stance and turn to him.

“I’m thinking of taking Charlotte to Italy for our honeymoon.”

Evie’s hands jump to the center of her chest. “For real?”

I’ve been there countless times, and never felt the level of excitement that she is.

“For real,” Randall says, obviously charmed by her exuberance. “Unless you can think of another destination she’d like, Evie. Has she mentioned any honeymoon ideas?”

“No.” She shakes her head while stealing a look at me. “We haven’t discussed that.”

As curious as I am about what they have discussed, in particular anything related to Charlotte’s family business, now is not the time to ask questions.

Now is the time to gain a few more moments alone with my assistant.

That dream evaporates almost instantly because there’s more knocking at the door. “Evie? Is Reid still in there? He said Randall was looking for me, but I can’t find him anywhere.”

Before Randall can ask me why the hell I steered his fiancée wrong, I swing open the door and add another unwanted guest to this party.

“There you are,” she croons as soon as she spots Randall. “Did you need me, sweetheart?”

Randall tosses me a look of gratitude as if I’ve just done him a huge favor. I guess sending Charlotte on a mission to look for him wasn’t that bad after all.

“I’ll always need you,” he says. “I was just chatting with our best man and maid of honor about a few wedding details.”

She crosses her arms and feigns anger by tapping her foot on the floor. “Without me? No fair.”

“It’s a secret,” Evie adds her voice to the mix. “You’re going to love it, Lottie.”

Charlotte wraps an arm around Evie’s waist, and I’m instantly envious because I was that close to her just moments ago. “I’m so happy. I don’t know how this is my life, but it’s like a dream.”

Good for her because I feel like I’m in the middle of a nightmare right now.

“You two need to scoot so I can spend time with Evie,” Charlotte directs those words at me. “Whatever work you wanted her to do with you will have to wait.”

I wouldn’t describe what I wanted to do with Evangeline as work. Still, I know Charlotte is referring to my comment to Pete earlier about needing my assistant to help me with a negotiation tonight. That was a blatant lie to keep his greedy hands off of her.

“Go!” That word gets sent in Randall’s direction, along with a wag of Charlotte’s fingers. “Now!”

He motions for me to follow him. “The guys are down by the pool. Let’s go hang out with them.”

“Let’s not,” I retort but add a smile to it so he doesn’t give me shit. “I’m going to turn in. It’s been a long day.”

“Since you’re the best man, you get a room all to yourself.” Randall pats my shoulder.

I didn’t realize there was a chance I’d be doubling up with anyone. During Randall’s walk down memory lane earlier, he pointed out the bedroom we shared when we were kids and then told me to drop my stuff in it.

I was grateful that during the extensive renovations this place has undergone the bunk beds that once were in that room have been replaced with a king-size bed.

“Gee, thanks, buddy.” I grin, knowing the words will feed a part of him seeking assurance that I’m happy to be here.

I am, but not for the reason he thinks.

I kissed Evangeline today, and I’m addicted. I can’t wait to get another taste.

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

Evie

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