Page 26 of When Alec Met Evie
Riley
Hey. It’s been a while. I’ve got a work thing happening in Charlotte at the beginning of next month. Think you could make it over? I’d love to see you.
I stare at her text, knowing how I’m going to respond without even having to think about it.
Alec
Thanks for the invite, but I don’t think that’s a good idea.
Riley
Hmm. You didn’t just say you're busy, which means…you’ve met someone, haven’t you?
It’s entirely too early to be thinking like that.
But the first thought that comes to mind isyes.
CHAPTER 7
ALEC
We’re playingan afternoon game on Sunday, so even though it’s only ten AM, I’m already dressed and ready to head to the arena. With how we’ve been missing each other, I’m surprised to find Evie in the kitchen, drinking a mug of tea while she scrolls on her phone. Juno is in some kind of baby seat thing in the living room. It’s rocking back and forth, the colorful toys hanging over her head swaying from the motion of the seat.
When I step into the kitchen, Evie looks up, and her mouth falls open.
I’ve always appreciated the tradition of game-day suits—I like having a reason to dress up—but Evie’s expression makes it even more worth it.
“Wow,” Evie says. “You look really nice.”
“Yeah?” I slide a hand down my tie, then hook my thumbs on the edge of my pants pockets.
Evie is wearing her overalls again, and she’s barefoot, looking perfectly relaxed and comfortable. She has glasses on, and I don’t think she’s wearing any makeup. I like the glasses, and Ilike how at home she looks in my space. It’s a nice change from the big empty house I’m used to.
She stands and shifts around the counter, moving toward me. When she reaches me, she lifts her hands to my collar. “You really know how to wear a suit. You just need to tuck your tie in right here.”
I catch the scent of her as she adjusts my tie—apples and cinnamon—and I feel a sudden impulse to lift a hand and wrap it around the curve of her waist, tug her against me.
The desire startles me with its potency. I haven’t felt anything like it in a long time, which makes it easy to ignore the reasons I thought I had for staying away. I debated long and hard after Riley asked me if I’d met someone. So what if Evie is my sister’s best friend and a little bit younger than I am? Now that I’ve spent a little time with Evie, those reasons feel pretty thin. But sheisstill vulnerable. And she’s trusting me and living in my space, and I don’t want her to think I’m allowing her to live here because I’m hoping for something more.
I also don’t know how to stop my heart from pounding whenever she’s close.
“Thanks,” I say, forcing myself to stay still, to resist the allure of touching her.
“You’re welcome.” She slides her hand down my lapel then gives my chest a quick pat. “Now you’re perfect.” She holds my gaze, and my blood heats several degrees.
She’sperfect.
I clear my throat and take a step backward. “Right. I should head out.”
She nods and shoves her hands into her back pockets. “Good luck. I hope you guys win.”
I’m halfway to the Summit before I realize I didn’t check in with the twins before leaving. They have their own transportation—they can definitely drive themselves to thegame. But it seems dumb to have left without waiting for them—without asking if they wanted a ride since we’re headed to the same place.
But I lost all sense of reason when I made eye contact with Evie, when I felt the heat of her gaze. I didn’t even remember the twins were in the house, much less members of my hockey team.
Clearly, I haven’t gotten my good sense back because before I head to the locker room, I find myself in the gift shop at the Summit, braving the crowds to look at infant-sized Appies merch.
It’s a ridiculous thing to do on so many levels.
