After We Fall (Take the Fall, #3)(52)

She stops nibbling on her nail. “You keep saying all the right things.”

“I’m not trying to hoodwink you.” I take her hand in mine and bring it to my mouth, kissing her soft skin. “My mother has a saying, a caballo regalado, no se le ven los dientes. Basically, it means don’t look for the worst.”

“It’s hard not to.”

“I know, angel. Believe me, I know. I’m not trying to manipulate you into doing anything you don’t want to, so if the thought of me going to breakfast makes you uncomfortable, then I won’t go. I’ll say that I had to work. Go to the gym…whatever.” Even as I say I’m willing to lie for her, I can’t help but think of the huge lies I’m keeping from her right now that I have to tell her.

She takes a deep breath. “I want you to come to breakfast with us.”

“Then I’ll be there.” I let go of her hand. “How long are your parents staying?”

“Until Sunday morning.”

I nod. “Does that mean you’re available Sunday night?”

“Depends on the invitation?”

“The Laboratory.”

“What’s that?”

“Place in Charlotte where mixed martial arts fights take place.”

“That sounds”—her nose scrunches—“romantic.”

I stare at her intently. “But not too violent for you?”

She shrugs, but I know her too well. That is the shrug of a woman who is afraid that something might happen. “I’ve never been to a fight before so I don’t know.”

“Would you be willing to go with me and keep an open mind?”

“Sure, I guess.” She gives me an odd look. “Why is this so important to you? Is it because of Pe—AE?”

“He has f*ck-all to do with our relationship.” My words come out harsher than I intend.

“He fought in the Army—not mixed martial arts, but—”

Before she can elaborate any further, her mother comes to the door. “Eva, sugar, where’s the coffee?”

“It’s in the—never mind. I’ll be right there.” She touches my badge. “I like it when you show up wearing this. Makes me feel safe.”

“That’s exactly what these blues should do for you.”

“I think it’s the man who wears them.” She gives me a swift kiss on the lips, then darts inside her apartment, leaving me rooted to the spot.

—

The rest of the weekend seems to rush by. I’m almost one hundred percent sure it’s because I have it off, otherwise it would crawl at a snail’s pace.

I try to stay out of Evangeline and her family’s way, but they keep inviting me over to spend time with them. I suspect that Lawson is behind this, as any dad should be. Hell, if I know anything, it’s what a father shouldn’t do for or to his kids.

Her parents wave to us one last time from a light-blue sedan before they finally leave.

“I think I’m going to miss them more than I did before.” Evangeline sniffs and I wrap my arm around her, pulling her into me so I can kiss her on the forehead.

“That’s understandable, but you get to see them next month.”

“You get to see them, too.”

I cock my head to one side. “You sure you’re okay with that?”

“I am very sure that I want to see you with my brothers.” Her eyes seem to twinkle at me. “You’re bigger than they are and a cop, so you might have a chance of surviving the Ambrose gauntlet.”

“I’ll take your word for that.” Since I’m an only child, I don’t have much experience with siblings. Hayden and Dwight are the closest things I have to brothers. “We still on for tonight?”

She nods. “Yes.”

“Good. My buddy Hayden will be there. I’ve been looking forward to introducing you to him.”

We walk inside, my arm still wrapped around her.

“Is this your test for me? You met the parents, so my turn to meet the friends?”

“Not a test. One day, I want you to meet my mom.”

“I’d like that,” she says softly. “I’d like that a lot.”

“Right now she’s in Tijuana with her family and doesn’t visit often. My schedule isn’t exactly the best for long trips. She likes for me to stay awhile, too.”

As soon as my foot hits the top step, I let go of her and turn to face her. “I love you. Haven’t been able to tell you this weekend, like I wanted, but I do.”

She searches my face, her blue eyes shining like a rare jewel I saw once in a museum. “I know you do. You showed me how much yesterday.”

“I’m good with people,” I admit.

“You’re very charming, Hunter, but that’s not what I meant. You took the scrutinizing from my parents without complaint. You didn’t bitch about it, didn’t throw a temper tantrum to embarrass me, or pout about not having time alone with me.”

“How in the hell did your dad make it through a meal without laying AE out?”

“It only happened once.”

“Good for your dad.”

Evangeline smiles sadly. “It didn’t happen because my dad did or said anything. Penn simply stopped showing up and later I did, too, when I couldn’t explain the bruises anymore.”