Page 14 of When Alec Met Evie
I’m pretty sure her landlord will pay me back.
But even if he doesn’t, I’m not sure I care.
“Now, Alec, help me convince this young lady that she does not need to stay in a hotel,” Ruth says, one hand propped on her hip. “I’ve got a spare guest room that she’s welcome to use, and I’d be more than happy to have the company.”
A knot forms in my stomach. I should feel relief. Evie would probably feel more comfortable at Ruth’s, and I’m sure the elderly woman knows a lot more about babies than I do. But what I really feel is a strange sense of disappointment.
“It’s so kind of you to offer,” Evie says. “But you already told me your daughter is coming to visit next week. I can’t take up the guest room when she’ll need it, especially not with a baby who doesn’t care if anyone else in the house gets any sleep.”
“As I said, there’s a pull-out sofa in the office that Desiree can use,” Ruth chides, but I understand Evie’s hesitance, especially with the open-ended nature of her current situation.
“Actually, I’ve got more than a few empty guest rooms at my house,” I say before I can overthink it. “They’re on the opposite side of the house from my room, so you’d have plenty of privacyand your own bathroom. Plus, I’m on the road with the Appies all next week, and the house is empty when I’m not there.”
Evie’s brows lift, eyes wide. “You’d let me stay with you?”
Something in her tone makes my cheeks warm the slightest bit. “I mean, if you want. Megan would want me to offer.”
“Well,” Ruth says. “That sounds like a perfect solution.”
Evie bites her lip, and for a moment, I expect her to protest. To say she’d be more comfortable at Ruth’s after all. But then her head bobs once in a distinctive nod. Like she’s made up her mind and committed herself to it, maybe despite her better judgment. “Okay,” she finally says. “That would be great.”
Okay.So I guess I’m getting a new roommate.
Juno blows a few spit bubbles before kicking her feet, squirming enough that Evie flips her around and lifts the baby to her shoulder.
Make thattwonew roommates.
My heart speeds the slightest bit, and I realize I’m excited.
Weirdlyexcited. And not just because I know it’s what Megan would expect.
Maybe it’s because my house really is too quiet. Or maybe it’s because I can’t stop noticing the way Evie keeps tugging her hair over her shoulder, revealing the curve of her neck, the ridge of her collarbone, the slope of her bare shoulder. She’s wearing overalls over a white tank top, a look I didn’t know I liked until I saw it on her.
“So I guess, since I still haven’t heard from my landlord, I just need to call someone about the house,” Evie says. She looks at me. “Felix mentioned he knows someone. Did he happen to give you the number?”
“It’s already taken care of,” I say. “They’ll be here before the end of the day.”
Evie holds my gaze, lips pressed together for a long moment before she turns and hands Juno to Ruth then steps closer and wraps herself around my waist in a tight hug.
At first, the surprise of the gesture keeps me from responding, but it only takes a moment for me to catch up and settle my arms around her shoulders. She smells amazing, like apples and cinnamon, which is something considering the day she’s had, and it’s all I can do not to lower my nose to her hair and breathe in a lungful of her scent.
I’m sure I’ve probably hugged Evie before, when she was offering congratulations after a game. Or maybe after her and Megan’s high school graduation. But I’ve never hugged her like this, and I’m distracted by how good it feels to have her against me.
“Thank you, Alec,” she whispers. She gives me one last squeeze, then lets me go, stepping back as she lifts her hands to wipe at her eyes.
My throat goes suddenly dry and my skin prickles with heat and awareness.
What was that?
A hug, but something else too.
Ruth clears her throat, and I lift my gaze to hers. She raises her eyebrows, then looks pointedly at Evie.
Right.Evie just said thank you, and I’m standing here like an idiot, cataloging every inch of my body that touchedanyinch of her.
“It’s no problem,” I stutter out. “It just took a phone call.”
Evie shakes her head. “It’s more than that. It’s everything. The phone call. The house. You offering a place for us to stay. I had no idea I was going to need a hero today, but since I very clearly did, I’m really glad it was you.”
