Page 47 of Everlasting Promises

He grins. “Good idea.”

As we’re lining up, I think about our talk. I don’t want him to keep secrets from Hope, but I don’t want him to share what we’ve spoken about. I have no idea what the protocol is in this situation. “Uh, Ev?”

“Yeah.”

I wave my hand between the two of us. “Would you mind keeping this between us? I don’t?—”

He holds up his hand. “You don’t need to say anything. This is between us. Man to man.” He winks at me, and I chuckle.

“Man to man.”

22

HOPE

We had a moment before.

I’m certain I’m not imagining it.

When he pretended to be my boyfriend, and I sunk into his warmth and felt the steady beat of his heart beneath my hand, I got lost for a moment. If Evan hadn’t come over when he did, I’m not sure what would have happened next.

Thank goodness he showed up.

Ben called meCookie.

I wonder if it’s because he thinks I crumble like a cookie. I shake my head at the ridiculousness of the thought. He’s never once looked at me like I’m weak or broken. I guess he was caught on the spot, and since we were surrounded by cookies, it kinda makes sense. Wyatt never gave me a nickname, so I’m not sure how I feel about it.

I smile, take money, and hand over tray after tray of cookies. In between customers, I lift to my toes to see where Ben and Evan are. I expected Ben to drop Evan and leave, not stick around for as long as he has. I scan the gym until my eyes landon them, sitting at a table, sharing a treat, and drinking juice. Evan’s smiling and nodding, and I admire the way Ben’s T-shirt stretches across his taut, muscular back. More customers stop at my table, and I lose sight of the pair as I focus on serving.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see a woman step around my table. When I glance up, my eyes land on Mom and I smile. “Hey, Mom. I’ll just be a sec.”

“Hi, sweetie. You do what you need to, and I’ll help where I can.” She shuffles closer, checks over the table, then grabs extra stock from the crates behind us to restock.

“Thanks. Where’s Dad?”

She chuckles. “He’s buying up a storm at the table selling candies.” That makes sense. He has such a sweet tooth. “Where’s Evan? I thought he’d be here.” She presses up on her toes to look around the gym. I know the instant her eyes land on her grandson, because a wide smile pushes up her cheeks. “Oh, there he is.” Her grin drops. “He’s talking to a man,” she adds, a hint of worry in her tone.

I don’t have time to put her mind at ease before another customer approaches the table and asks about the various flavors of cookies for sale.

“Nanna!” my son’s voice rings out, and the next thing I know, a streak of red flings himself into her waiting arms.

Hmpf.He wouldn’t hug me. I was lucky he let me play with his hair. I brush off my hurt feelings and watch them embrace. I guess he hasn’t seen her since yesterday. Well, that’s what I tell myself to lessen the sting of his earlier rejection.

He pulls away and tugs on her hand. “Nanna, come meet my friend, Ben.”

Mom’s eyes widen comically, then she snaps her gaze to me and raises her eyebrows. “Oh, I’d love to meetyournew friend.” She pats her hair down and readjusts her blouse as she follows my boy a few feet away to Ben.

Poor Ben. I didn’t have time to warn him. She’ll have us married with babies within the blink of an eye, and he won’t even see it coming. I’m just thankful Wyatt’s parents are out of town this weekend—thatwould be awkward.

Another wave of customers approach my table, and I get busy dealing with them and restocking. Once they’re gone and the table’s full again, I reorganize the crates of cookies, stacking the empty ones off to the side for collection.

Mom slips next to me, and her smile reminds me of the Cheshire Cat fromAlice in Wonderland. “Ben’s a lovely young man. It seems he and Evan have formed a strong friendship.”

I ignore the excitement in her tone. “Yeah, they have. Evan really enjoys his company, along with Rex, his dog.”

“Mmhm,” she responds.

“Evan’s been a lot calmer and happier since he started volunteering at the shelter with Ben and the other kids every other week. That’s where he was this morning and why Ben’s here. He gave Evan a ride, so I had more time to bake and get ready.”Shut up already, Hope. The more I speak, the bigger Mom’s grin grows.

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