How the Light Gets In (Cracks Duet #2)(14)
And like all humans, I craved being everything to someone.
Chapter 5
When I arrived home, I took a long, cold shower.
Okay, so maybe it wasn’t that cold, but it was definitely long. I needed time under the water to clear my head. Dylan’s touch popped and fizzled in my brain, causing all sorts of girlish, fluttery reactions.
I stepped out of the bathroom with one towel around my body and another wrapped around my hair. Yvonne stood in her bedroom doorway, having just finished a phone call.
“Well, don’t you look spic and span,” she commented, our previous spat all but forgotten. That was the way of things with us. Last night’s argument was yesterday’s news. We’d moved on.
“I’ve got work in an hour,” I replied. “Oh, also, guess who I saw today?”
“Was it Chris Kristofferson?”
I frowned. “No.”
She gave a shrug. “I just like saying the same Chris Kristofferson. Rolls off the tongue.”
“Well, it wasn’t him. It was Conor Abrahams. Remember? From the Villas?”
“You mean the kid you used to pal around with who tried to kiss me once?” she asked wryly and followed me into my bedroom.
“Yes, that’s the one,” I replied, choosing to leave out the fact that he wasn’t a kid anymore. I wanted to witness Yvonne’s reaction when she saw him in person. His transformation would stun her. “He actually helps run Dylan’s company now. They invited us out to dinner some night when we’re all free. What do you think?”
She smiled. “Oh really? That’s sweet of them. Sure, I’m game for it.”
“Great, I’ll let them know.”
Yvonne took a seat on my bed while I changed into my work uniform. I had no embarrassment about stripping down in front of my aunt. We didn’t roll that way.
“So,” she hedged. “I guess Dylan managed to catch you at the bar? He mentioned he might pay you a visit.”
I nodded. “Yeah, he stopped by.”
“And?”
“And nothing. We chatted about old times. It was nice.”
“Ev, your childhood sweetheart is some sort of perfume business mogul, not to mention he’s even more handsome than he was as a boy. Surely, it was more than nice.”
“I enjoyed spending time with him, Yvonne, but I’m not interested in starting something romantic,” I replied. That big, fat lie sat heavy on my tongue.
“Oh,” she said. “Well, that’s disappointing.”
“Why? Were you hoping for a big splashy wedding or something?”
“Don’t be like that. You two had something special, but you never really got a chance to see where it might go. It’s not anyone’s fault that—”
“Look, I’m late for work,” I said. “And I need to get ready, so . . .”
Yvonne glanced at me sadly and nodded. “Of course. I’ll see you in the morning.”
*
Dylan left his business card with Yvonne, which was convenient because I didn’t have his phone number. What wasn’t convenient was the fact that it only had his office number, not his personal line. It also had an email, so I tried that instead. I didn’t want to call his office and get through to the delightfully hostile Laura.
Tuesday 09:43 [email protected] to [email protected]
Well, this is awkward. We forgot to exchange numbers. Yvonne had your business card, so I thought I’d try you on the old email instead. We’re free for dinner tomorrow night if you and Conor are up for it.
Let me know.
Ev.
I read the email back several times, thinking it sounded stilted, but unable to come up with a better way to phrase the message. Deciding to hell with it, I hit send. I doubted he checked this email very often anyway. If he wanted to have dinner, he knew where to find me.
To my surprise, my email pinged with a response ten minutes later. I was lying in bed, still in my PJs, when I opened it up.
Tuesday 09:54 [email protected] to [email protected]
Tomorrow night is perfect. We’ll pick you and Yvonne up at your place around eight.
Love,
Dylan.
I couldn’t help smiling at how he signed off. I enjoyed his affection, even if I was wary of returning it. I typed out a reply.
Tuesday 09:56 [email protected] to [email protected]
Eight is good. Dress code?
Tuesday 09:57 [email protected] to [email protected]
Anything. You always look beautiful.
I bit my lip and closed my eyes. Man, he was charming.
Tuesday 09:59 [email protected] to [email protected]
Seriously. I need to know. I felt so underdressed at your store.
It was true. I’d had a Julia Roberts Pretty Woman moment stepping inside that place. I didn’t want to feel that way again, especially if Dylan decided to take us to some swanky Michelin-star restaurant where men had to wear a tie to get in.
Tuesday 10:02 [email protected] to [email protected]
Underdressed sounds interesting . . .
Tuesday 10:03 [email protected] to [email protected]
That’s it. I’m not coming.
Tuesday 10:04 [email protected] to [email protected]