Page 102 of Tender Heart
“I’ll check the ladies’ again,” Iris adds, marching back that way.
I weave my way through the remaining crowd, the revelers now gripping cups in one hand, moving to the beat of the music. I push through sweaty, moving bodies, head swiveling as I scan the crowd for Evie. This doesn’t exactly feel like her kind of thing, but I’m checking regardless.
Having scoured the crowd twice and coming up empty, I pull out my phone.
A text from Iris.
“Nothing. She’s not here but there’s a light on at the library. Heading that way now.”
I push from the crowd and break into a run toward the library.
My phone buzzes.
Em.
“She’s not down at the dock, that I can see. But someone’s been on your boat, Cal. You should come see this.”
Fuck.
Fuck me.
Not now. Evie comes first. If some motherfucker wants to screw with my boat, I’ll deal with them later.
For fuck’s sake, people. Build a bridge and get the fuck over it.
I round the library’s eastern side and slide to a halt as I come up on Iris too fast. “Shit, Irry.”
She smiles, grabbing my arm and turning me to face the library’s lit-up foyer. Inside, a small table is set up. Evie sits behind it, head down, scribbling in a book. She’s signing it?
“Told you she was famous,” Iris says, her smile stretching her face.
I run a hand over my jaw.
Well, shit.
Evie looks up, handing the book back to the teenage girl in front of the table, who promptly squeals and jumps on the spot before snapping a selfie with Evie in the background. Evie’s smile fades at that, and I brush Iris’s grip off and walk into the library. I bypass the long line of folks waiting to see their favorite author. Gaze glued to my girl, I don’t notice the shoulder until I run right into it.
A skinny guy, around thirty, with a cap pulled down over his face waits in the line, standing a little to one side, his stare burning into Evie. In his arms is a stack of what I assume are Evie’s books, something blue poking out of the top of one. His stare breaks briefly as he gives me an annoyed look. I reach the table, and Evie’s face blooms under a tired smile.
Fuck, she’s been here since the restroom? How long was I fucking asleep?
“Baby, you gotta tell a person when you disappear to go be famous,” I whisper into her ear as I lean into her side.
A tentative chuckle turns to a yawn as she stands briefly for a hug. Her hands are cold and her eyes are weary. She didn’t look tired on the ride to the mainland. I guess wandering BayShore for an hour and trinket shopping with Iris will do that to a person.
“You don’t have to stay here for every one of these people. We can go home.” I release her as she drops back to the chair.
“A few minutes more. Then we can go.”
I spy Sherry from earlier behind the library loans desk. My guess is she cornered Evie in the restroom and talked her into this. Or dragged her here.
Most likely the latter.
Evie signs a few more books and then stands. “I’m sorry, you guys. But I can come back Monday?” she says, glancing at me.
I nod and give her a smile. “Sure, Monday works.”
“Thank you so much for waiting for me.” She says to the dwindled line and grabs her belongings.
