Page 61 of The Holy Grail
“You really like him?” Evan asked, even though he was terrified of the answer.
“I really do.”
Knowing he probably shouldn’t ask any more questions, he nonetheless did, because he apparently had no sense of self-preservation. “So, what’s he like?”
“You really want to know?”
“Yes.”
“Well …” Jules paused for a moment. “He’s actually kind of shy—”
“Did you say ‘shy’?”
“Yes. What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing. I’m just surprised you find that kind of man so appealing.”
“I’m a little surprised, too. He’s not my usual type, but we’re a surprisingly good fit.”
The way she said it made him think she meant it in a sexual context, and his stomach flipped. “Inandout of bed?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but we haven’t gotten that far, yet.” The second the admission was out of her mouth, she wished for it back, especially when she could see the information pleased him.
“Really?” That shouldn’t have made him happy, but it did. There had to be a reason why she hadn’t slept with What’s-His-Name yet, and maybe it was something that would keep it from happening entirely, something which would make her cut him loose. “Why not?”
“We’re kind of taking our time,” she explained. “You know, enjoying the process of getting to know one another on a personal, adult level. We talk a lot and laugh, we’ve gone clothes shopping, and he’s even cooked for me several times.”
Them getting to know one another like that, outside the bedroom, was actually worse. Evan had been hoping they’d go out a few time, have disappointing sex, and then she would dump What’s-His-Name’s ass. But this getting to know one another … his cooking for her was bad enough, but clothes shopping together? Christ, it was like they were practically married.
This wasn’t good at all. Not for Evan, anyway.
“Hmm. He really does sound great,” he said dismissively, lashing out before he could stop himself. “Congratulations.”
“You know what?” Jules gave him a hard look. “Being an asshole really isn’t a good look,” she told him, before abruptly turning away and going into the back room where she usually worked. This time, however, instead of leaving the door open, she closed it behind her with a loud click.
She could understand his sour attitude, and even feel empathy for him because he wasn’t in a good place at the moment, but it didn’t give him the right to be an asshole. If the situation was reversed, she figured she’d be torn up, but she liked to think she’d refrain from being a bitch.
Wouldn’t she?
She did her best to focus on the task at hand for the next few hours, and at 1:00 a.m. she got up and stretched, rolling her neck several times to release some tension. Deciding to take a break and go get a Coke, she left the room and made her way to the area behind the bar, only to pause in the doorway when she saw Evan engaging in a conversation with oneof the patrons. It was a pretty woman who was clearly enjoying the attention, especially since Evan was obviously pouring on the charm, a flirtatious smile on his handsome face as he leaned across the polished surface of the bar.
As Jules scooped ice into a glass, the noise had Evan turning to look over at her. His expression remained easy going and carefree, but his brown eyes hardened in a way she’d never seen before. It made her both sad and regretful, thinking that this was how their relationship would be going forward. A second later, he shifted his attention back to the woman, effectively giving Jules the cold shoulder. It cut deeper than she thought it would, and she was slow to grab the soda gun and fill her glass with Coke.
At the doorway, she paused again to watch Evan with the woman, whose hand he was now holding and lightly stroking, while laughing at something she’d said. Jules found herself trying to make sense of the flood of emotions coursing through her. She didn’t know why the scene in front of her was stirring up so much jealousy inside, because she was currently in a relationship with someone (fledgling, but nonetheless a relationship) and Evan was free to pursue anyone he wanted to.
But still … she struggled with the feelings of angst at the situation and hated herself for it. She’d thought her attraction to Evan would fade once she and Malcom started seeing one another, but it hadn’t, and that was confusing the hell out of her. Watching Evan basically hitting on another woman was painful, and Jules had a moment of clarity, of knowing how he was feeling as she embarked on a relationship with another man. And she wasn’t going to lie to herself and say this wasn’t a form of payback, because it likely was. At the very least, Evan was sending her the message he was going to power through all of his feelings for her, and it looked like he was starting now, as his whole demeanor with the other woman was more deliberate and calculating than spontaneous and natural.
Evan seemed to want Jules to see it, and that was soul-crushing.
She knew she needed to get this job finished and put some distance between herself and Evan … because the current situation wasn’t healthy for either of them.
The worst part, though, was knowing their friendship would probably never be the same.
Because how could it be?
Chapter 18
Reaching a milestone
