Page 63 of When Alec Met Evie
But hearing Victoria talk, that sense of purpose is sparking again. I love the history hiding in this violin. The stories it’s heard, the music it’s made. If I can be a part of bringing it back to life, maybe it’ll be okay if I’m not playing as much as I used to.
“What do you say?” she asks. “Want to help me?”
“I would be honored,” I say, matching Victoria’s smile with my own.
Her gaze lifts over my shoulder, widening the slightest bit before shifting back to me. “Good. We’ll start right after lunch.”
“What? Why not right now? Who needs to eat?”
She chuckles and tilts her head toward the front door. “Why don’t you peek outside and see if you still feel the same way?”
I spin around to findAlecstanding on the cottage’s front porch. He’s turned to the side, eyes on his phone, but it’s clearly him. He’s dressed in joggers and an Appies hoodie, like he just came from practice, and he’s carrying what looks like a to-go bag of food in his free hand.
My phone buzzes from my back pocket, and I pull it out to find a text he clearly just sent from the porch.
Alec
Hi. Are you busy? I’m here with food, but I’m afraid to knock because I don’t want to interrupt.
I look back at Victoria. “How did you know he was here for me?”
“I didn’t,” she says. “But based on the way he was looking at you through the window, all sheepish and uncomfortable, I guessed.” She smiles. “A friend of yours?”
I nod and bite my lip, my heart climbing into my throat.
Alec ishere.
I can’t truly put into words what it’s been like the past few days. Ever since he got home on Sunday night, things have been different. Charged with this current of anticipation. We’re talking and texting as much as we did while he was out of town, but now we’re seeing each other too.
Eating dinner together. Watching TV with the twins. Talking about the day while we do dishes.
I’m trying so hard not to read into things because I’m still not sure about the whole Riley situation. But every day that goes by, it’s getting harder and harder. I just like him so much.
“Evie, dear, are you going to let him inside, or shall I?”
My attention snaps back to Victoria. “What?”
She motions toward the door one more time. “He just knocked.”
“Right. Yes. I’ll let him in.” I hurry toward the door, wiping my hands on my jeans as I go.
“Hey! What are you doing here?” I ask as I push open the door.
“I brought lunch.” He holds up the bag. “A burger from Betty’s. And sweet potato fries. Since you didn’t have them last time, I really thought you should try them because they’re amazing.”
“Did you seriously skip practice to eat burgers with me? I don’t think your trainers would approve.”
“I have a salad for me, and I’m not skipping anything. We finished early today.”
I move out of the way and motion him inside. “Come on in, then. I’ll introduce you to Victoria.”
I make quick introductions before Victoria excuses herself, claiming she has a date with the leftover chili her husband made last night. But I don’t miss the look she gives me over Alec’s shoulder, eyes wide as she mouths the wordWow.
“She seems really great,” Alec says as he follows me across the shop. There’s a cozy living nook on the right side of the workshop with a couch, a coffee table, a small refrigerator, and a table just big enough for two people. It’s tucked away and private, so it’s been a perfect space for my twice-daily pumping sessions. I store the milk in the tiny fridge so I can take it home to Juno every day, but so far, that’s all I’ve used it for. Even though I’ve packed a lunch, Victoria keeps insisting that I go up to the main house to eat lunch with her.
Alec sets the food down on the table while I grab a couple of water bottles from the fridge.
“She’s amazing,” I say as I steal a sweet potato fry from one of the open containers. “Oh my gosh. Those really are good.”
