Page 73 of For Eva

“You just think what?” he said, warming my insides with his blue-gray eyes.

I inhaled the scent of his cologne—cedar with a hint of spice—and ran my thumb along his jaw. “I just think you could’ve gone a little easier on him.”

He cupped my chin in his hand and kissed me softly. “I’m sorry. It was a long day at work.”

My cheek brushed against his, a hint of stubble scratching my skin as I whispered into his ear. “Well, in that case, we should probably go into the bedroom and—”

The trill of the phone on the table next to us startled me, and I pulled away, reaching for the receiver. Aaron grabbed my hand and placed it back on his shoulder as his lips moved down my neck. “Let the machine get it.”

I smiled, giggling and throwing my head back as his mouth made its way to my chest, and he began to unbutton the front of my dress. I barely heard the outgoing message and beep that followed, lost in the anticipation of what was to come.

“Eva Alessandra Holloway! Pick up the fucking phone right now, or I’m never fucking speaking to you again!” Denise’s voice bellowed out of the answering machine.

Aaron slumped against the couch as I popped up to grab the cordless receiver from its base.

“Babe, I love you so much, but can you call me back tomorrow? I—”

“I willnotcall you back tomorrow because I checked my mail for the first time in a week, and all of a sudden, I’m standing here with a letter in my hand telling me you’re dating some hotshot attorney!”

“Okay, I can talk for a second.” I bit my lip and slipped Aaron an apologetic glance. He huffed, rolling his eyes and flipping the television to ESPN. I mouthed a quicksorrybefore retrieving my cigarettes from my purse and stepping out on the small deck off my apartment.

“What thefuck, Eva? Why didn’t you call me?”

I cradled the receiver between my ear and shoulder as I lit my cigarette. “Because long-distance charges are killing me! It isn’t my fault you didn’t check your mail for a week. Or that you haven’t called me in ages, by the way.”

“What can I say, work has been nuts. And this isphonenews! You could’ve called, and I would’ve called you back.” She paused, and I could practically hear her grinning through the phone. “Is he there now? Were you guys about to get it on?”

I chuckled and took a long drag off my smoke. “Maybe.”

“Oh my God, I cannot believe this,” she squealed. “I need to know everything. And I mean,everything. Size, shape, technique…”

“Denise!” I leaned against the brick wall, crossing my feet. “I’m not just fucking him. I think it’s kinda…I don’t know…serious, I guess?”

“Well, obviously, if you’recookingfor him,” she said. “Who are you, and what has this man done to you?”

I smiled, goose bumps popping up on my arms. “I don’t know. It’s crazy because we’re so outwardly different, but I think that’s what we dig about each other. It’sexciting.”

“I assume he’s seen your tattoo?”

“He loves my tattoo.”

“He knows you wear combat boots?”

“I was wearing them when I met him.”

“And he’s aware you don’t typically date men who wear shirts with collars?”

“He knows about Danny, if that’s what you’re asking.”

A long exhale traveled from Los Angeles to Chicago. “Well, then. I am speechless. Except to say, once again,oh my fucking God, I cannot believe this.”

I flicked the tip of my cigarette into the ashtray on the railing. “I know it’s nuts. But he’s great, Denise. He’s gorgeous, he’s got a stable job, he’s originally from Nashville, and his family sounds so close and amazing.”

“Nashville? Who’sfromNashville?”

“He is.”

“Fine. But what’s he like?”

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