That Secret Crush (Getting Lucky #3)(97)

“Ah, Rogue.” Harper presses her hand to her chest. “That’s so sweet. And true.” She turns to me and takes my hand. “I’ve known you for a long time, Eve, and the happiest I’ve seen you has been when you’re with Reid. And yes, he’s difficult, he has his moments, but you’re strong enough to help him through them, to help him see the kind of man he really is. You need the challenge Reid gives you, the excitement, the fire he lights inside of you.”

Rogan nods. “That’s true. You lift him up, Eve. I don’t think he ever would have even considered Knight and Port if you two hadn’t been together. You bring out the good in him, and he needs that. He needs you—just like you need him.”

I do need him.

And he doesn’t just challenge me. He brings out my softer side; he fills that hole that’s been empty ever since I lost my parents. He gives me purpose, he challenges me, and weirdly, he brings my emotions to the surface, helping me feel and experience so much more than I ever thought possible.

Tears build up in my eyes, my friends’ words hitting me hard. I’ve been so hurt about the way he broke things off that I’ve forgotten what truly matters. Reid is the man I will always love, no matter what, and if anyone can put him in his place, it’s me.

“This is not the kind of conversation I was expecting when I came over here,” I admit. “But it’s what I needed. True honesty. Love isn’t all roses and sunshine. There are some really ugly aspects to it, and right now we’re living in an ugly moment. Maybe it’s time to bring some beauty back to our love.”

Harper claps her hands. “Oh my God, yes, please. Then we can go on double dates.”

“Eh, I don’t think I want to go on dates with Reid.” Rogan winces. “Let’s stick with Griffin and Ren. Reid’s just going to tell you every embarrassing story he knows about me.”

Harper smiles wide. “And that’s exactly why I want to double date with him. There was a long lull in our love. I want to know all the dirty details.”

Rogan groans as I start thinking about how to approach Reid, how to fix what went wrong between us. But maybe that’s not my responsibility. Maybe I need to let him come to me again. But when he does, I’ll listen to him with an open heart.

How does their stupid curse go? Until your mind has matured, the curse won’t be cured? Maybe it’s time to grow up and accept what this love really is: a combination of ugly and beautiful moments mixing together to create an everlasting bond.



“The shifts look great,” Mr. Knightly says from across my new desk, scanning the paper before handing it back to me.

It’s my third day on the job, and I’m officially working full time for Knight and Port. Our soft opening is scheduled for tomorrow, and while I’ve always prided myself on keeping a cool head, I’m starting to get really anxious about all the fine details.

Did I schedule all the right people to work?

Did I send out enough invites?

Do we have enough food ordered?

Are the bloggers going to come?

The questions are plaguing me constantly—to the point that I can’t remember the last time I had a full night’s sleep.

“You’re looking a bit pale. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah.” I swallow hard. “Just nervous. I don’t want to mess anything up.”

Mr. Knightly is known in Port Snow as the man behind the town’s success. A true patriarch and a bit of a mogul, he can be intimidating, though that’s not the man sitting across from me right now. His features soften, and a faint smile passes over his lips.

“Eve Roberts, you are an intelligent woman with a great number of brilliant ideas brewing in that head of yours every day. Your skills and organization are impeccable, and your ability to learn on the fly and obtain knowledge is incredible. I could not think of a better person to be at the helm of Knight and Port.” Emotions start to tighten my throat as he continues, “We’re having soft openings for a reason—to work out the kinks—so even if things aren’t as perfect as they should be tomorrow night, we’ll iron out those wrinkles.” He leans forward and places his hand on my desk. “We have the best team for this restaurant. I can’t wait to see how well we do.”

I nod, unable to voice my gratitude for his kind words.

Before I can start blubbering, someone ascends the stairs—but when I see that it’s Reid, my heart flips in my chest, and my emotions skyrocket, putting me on the verge of sobs anyway, just at the sight of him.

“Sorry to interrupt,” he says, holding his hand up in apology. “Dad, Mom’s downstairs with some questions about the opening. Mainly what she should wear.”

Rolling his eyes, Mr. Knightly laughs and stands up from his chair, his tall frame blocking the can lights in the ceiling. “Things she can do at home.” He taps my desk. “You got this, Eve.” With a parting wink, he takes off down the stairs, leaving me alone with Reid, who doesn’t seem to get the hint that I want to be left alone as I stare down at my papers and shuffle them around. With every ounce of strength I have left inside of me, I try to hide the tears that are just starting to fall past my eyelids.

But when I hear him step forward, I know it’s too late.

“Hey.” He walks around to my side of my desk. Bringing his fingers to my chin, he lifts my head just in time to catch a few tears. “What’s going on?”