That Secret Crush (Getting Lucky #3)(49)

“It’s always there.”

I chuckle. “Reid has always required a little more patience than his brothers, and if he’s going through something difficult right now, the last thing he needs is for someone to shut him out.”

“But that’s what he’s doing to you.”

“Reciprocating bad behavior doesn’t make it better.”

“It’s disgusting how mature you are.”

“I’ll try to be more childish in the future.”

“It would be appreciated.” She claps her hands, so I know I’ve been on speakerphone. “Okay, so what’s the plan? We need a plan. Do we need to take nude shots of you and send them to Reid, remind him what he’s pushing away?”

“You should know better than anyone to never suggest nude shots, given your profession.”

“Hey, they’re not of me. I know better than to send nudies to people, but I mean . . . you can.”

“No!” I gasp, and she chuckles in response. Even though Avery hasn’t been too helpful in the solution department, I’m still glad I called her. She’s eased the weight that’s been pushing down on my chest ever since I walked into Reid’s houseboat. “I think I might just keep trying to talk to him. You know? Let him know I’m here if he needs me.”

“God,” Avery breathes out. “That man is so freaking lucky to have you—no joke. You are one of a kind, Eve.”

“Hey, so are you.”

“Yeah, because I dream of giant man thighs wrapping around my neck.”

I can’t argue with that.



Eve: Hey, I just wanted to let you know I’m thinking about you.

I send the text, not really expecting anything back, so when my phone starts ringing and Reid’s name flashes across the screen, I’m truly shocked. Water sloshes around me as I sit up in the tub, the bubbles barely covering me up. I set my glass of wine on the floor and answer.

“Hello?”

“Hey,” he says, his voice smooth, calm.

“Hey, you. I wasn’t expecting a call.”

“Why not?”

“You’ve just seemed a little distant, that’s all. But I’m glad you called. It’s nice to hear your voice.”

“I needed to hear yours.”

The hairs on the back of my neck rise. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, just long fucking day. What are you up to?”

“Taking a bath.”

“I wish I was there with you.”

I can’t deny the relief that fills me at those words.

“If you were, you wouldn’t fit in this tub. I think you’ve forgotten, but my apartment isn’t exactly a luxury villa.”

“You could sit on my dick—then we would have plenty of room.”

“I should have seen that coming.”

He laughs, the sound dangerously sexy. “You fit best on my dick, Eve. You should know that by now.”

“How could I possibly forget? Hmm . . . maybe because you left without showing me your dick last time.” It’s supposed to come out as a joke, but I can hear an edge to my voice.

“Yeah, I’m hating myself for that.” He hesitates for a second, but when he speaks up again, his voice holds a hint of raw emotion I wasn’t expecting. “Hey, babe, I’m sorry.”

Four simple words, but they’re all it takes for tears to well in my eyes. The true regret in his voice—this is why I didn’t shut him out. I know that he’s going through something, and the last thing he needs is drama from me.

“Sorry for what?” I ask, still wanting some specificity.

“For being weird lately. I’m just . . . trying to figure some crap out. It has nothing to do with you, with us, but I know it’s affecting what we have, and I want you to know I’m sorry. I’ll get it straightened out. I won’t be gone much longer.”

“I know you will,” I say. “And when you do, I’ll be here for you.”

“You’re so goddamn amazing. I really . . . fuck, I really like you, Eve.”

A stray tear falls past my cheek, and I have no idea why I’m crying. Why I’m so emotional. Maybe because I just got my period, maybe because this man has taken my heart by storm, maybe because I can feel the hurt that’s deep in his bones and the struggle he deals with, trying to find his self-worth. I went through the same thing after my dad died, but I’m finally on the right track; I know what I want. I just hope Reid can find the same clarity, and I want to be by his side, to help him look for it. Then again, I can only be that person if he allows me to be. You can only poke a brick wall so many times until your finger starts to go numb.

I want to ask him more questions, get down to the real issue here, but knowing Reid’s personality and how closed off he is to pretty much everyone, I remind myself to take things slow, to let him open up in his own time. I just need to be patient.

“I really like you too, Reid.”

“And you know I mean more than friends, right? Like . . . lovers.” The way he says lovers, in a pseudosultry way, has me laughing out loud.

“Lovers, huh? What a grown-up title.” In a different, slightly deeper voice, I say, “Hi, I’m Eve, and this is my lover, Reid.”