Page 105 of For Eva

“Either way, I’m sorry. I truly am.”

He nodded, a soft smile appearing on his lips. “It’s okay, Eva. Life happens. And now we have another chance.”

Is he…Does he mean…

His eyes locked with mine, and my thoughts floated in the two glasses of wine I’d drunk, a canoe with no paddle to steer them one way or another.

Another chance at…

“Can I get you all anything else? Perhaps a look at the dessert menu?” Our server swept up to the table holding a piece of paper in her hand.

I startled and broke our stare.

“I’m stuffed, actually,” I said, and Eric nodded in agreement, telling her we’d take the check whenever she had a moment.

As soon as it arrived, he insisted on paying, even though I protested.

“We really could’ve split the check.” I slid into the passenger’s seat as the valet opened the door to his rental car. “But thank you. Again.”

“I’ve wanted to take you out to a nice dinner for a long time,” he said, pulling away from the curb. “And I’m glad I found you again so I could do it.”

“Chinese food on a rooftop isn’t nice?” I laughed, then immediately pressed my lips together once I realized what I’d said.

Rooftop. His first solo album. Song number seven.

His Adam's apple bobbed in his throat. “It was actuallyverynice.”

I nodded, gazing out the window, unsure what to say.

There were so many other girls. Hundreds of them. But what if…

“Until you stole the last crab rangoon, that is,” he added, nudging my arm.

I laughed, his quip pulling me out of my head. “Turn left here. And I didn’tstealit. I just ate it while you weren’t looking.”

“Andthatis what we call stealing, Eva Holloway.”

My skin prickled at the mention of my maiden name. Nostalgia. Memories of a life lived years ago combined with a hint of the independence I’d once felt before Aaron had stripped it away.

I glanced over at Eric, the streetlights casting watery shadows over his face. “You’re right. I mean, about that being nice. Not about me being a thief. Take a right at the light.”

“I should refuse to take you home until you admit it. Drive aimlessly around this city and get us lost.”

I smiled. “You can’t get me lost in my own city, Eric.”

He glanced over at me and grinned, flipping his blinker to the left, rather than the right. “I can try.”

I elbowed his arm and he laughed, switching the blinker back.

“What a million girls wouldn’t give for that. Getting lost with Eric Stratton.”

“I’d wager mostmenwouldn’t mind getting lost withyou.”

Doeshewantto get lost with me? DoIwant to get lost withhim?

“Maybeonce upon a time,” I said with a wave of my hand. “But even if itwastrue, those days are long gone.”

“Don’t be so modest. You still turn heads, Eva.”

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