Emerge (Evolve Series #1)(98)

Gripping my hips, his eyes glaze as he licks his bottom lip. “Open it right here, where I can stare up at you.”

Fumbling, I unwrap it and gasp, my hand flying to my mouth. I shake my head and giggle. “You got us tickets to Hawaii?”

He nods and leans up to lift my shirt slightly, placing a kiss on my stomach. “Two weeks, me and you, in Kauai.”

“But when? I mean, I have school soon. And you, don’t you have work?”

His lips never leave my body, kissing and nipping my belly, waking up every butterfly, so his words are said into my enflamed skin.

“Look at the dates on the tickets, baby. We’re going during your Spring Break.”

Sure enough, the tickets are dated for exactly when I have almost two full weeks off. My heart beats faster and delight coats my

face. He’d booked these tickets when? Before I officially chose him? I’ll bet he did; a giant leap of faith in “us.” He was

sure we’d be together months from now. Not that he’ll top Disney World, he simply never will, but he upped the stakes. He sees us

as a “we,” and planned this trip, his future, on that. Knowing he really is as invested in me as I plan to be in him mentally

excites me, the message soon reaching the rest of my body. I toss the tickets to the side and collapse on top of him, thanking him

properly.



The next morning I wake with a stretch, frowning when I realize I’m alone. A quick scan confirms Dane isn’t in the bedroom or

bathroom, and while I’m anxious to go find him, I also realize it’s the perfect time to reach out to Evan. Dane doesn’t give me

much alone time and I know Evan’s wondering why I’m not home for break, so I need to say something to him.

I find my phone on top of Dane’s dresser and turn it on to madly scroll through all the text messages from Evan. Yup—he wants to

know where I am. It takes about five attempts at a message, deleting and starting again, before I’ve got one my conscience can

live with and I hit send.

Laney: Merry Christmas Ev! My dad came here for Xmas & that kept me busy. Now I’m sick so just gonna stay here, but I’ll call you

soon. Need 2 catch up on things. Hug your parents for me and have a gr8 break!

That’s all I can say right now and I just hope it placates him enough where he can enjoy his time at home until I figure out a way

to talk to him face to face. Who knows, maybe he’s met someone, too? Surprisingly, that thought doesn’t make me sick, but rather

makes me smile. I do so want Evan to be happy, loved, and cherished. He’s worthy of a woman looking at him the way I now look at

Dane.

Dane! I flick my phone off and shove it under my pillow, and after a half-assed attempt at straightening my clothes and hair, I

scamper down the stairs to search him out. My body already tingles at the thought of finding him.

“Well hello, sleepyhead.” Bennett beams at me from her perch at the kitchen counter.

“Hey, B, where’re the boys?”

“I don’t know, some Top Secret mission, said they’d be back in an hour. I made it very clear Tate can’t handle any more

activity than that.” She snaps her fingers. “Oh, and Dane said to tell you, and I quote, ‘she looked like Heaven so I didn’t

want to wake her, but I’ll be back soon and I love you.’ So sweet, Laney, you’re so lucky.”

“That I am.” I blush. “I’m gonna jump in the shower then. What are you gonna do?”

“I think I’ll enjoy the hot tub,” she teases, “since it’s actually free.”

I head upstairs with a chuckle. She’s right—I do love that hot tub.





Chapter Forty-One


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CARETAKER

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EVAN

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Poor Laney, sick on break. My truck can’t make it to her fast enough. I’d decided to surprise her and just show up with some

soup, Kleenex, medicine, and a huge stack of movies. I hate that she isn’t feeling well, but my skin still tingles in anticipation

of seeing her. My arms ache to wrap around her, hold her, fuse her to me. And her Christmas present? My hands shake at the thought

of watching her open it.

I might as well have been driving backwards as long as it took to get here, but my frustration lifts with every step I take towards

Laney’s dorm. My girl is inside there, sick and needing me. I try the door, but it’s locked. Growling, I glance around, my eyes

desperately seeking out someone to let me in. I could call her to come down and let me in, but then she’d have to get out of bed

in her bad health, let alone ruin the surprise, so I opt to mill around and pray someone will come by soon.

Thankfully, I only have to wait about ten minutes when I see him approaching. I know this guy; he was at the club and the hospital

the night I was there with Laney. I remember their interactions, he’s her good friend.

“Hey, man.” I stick out my hand as he approaches. “Hey, um, Evan, right?” he asks, returning my handshake.