Until the Tequila (The Killers #3.5)(11)

Great. On top of having to avoid Evan, and how I feel bad about Addy, I’m annoyed that July is so happy for me. But I can’t help but wonder what accommodations Evan was talking about.

I’m exhausted.

I look up at the clock and wish I could turn into a pumpkin when I see it click over to seven. I’ve stayed at the salon longer than necessary—I’ve swept and cleaned every station, washed and dried all the towels, and cleaned out my drawers. I hate staying late but, after my day, I’ll do anything to avoid Evan.

My phone dings from across the room. I walk to my station, plop into my chair, and brace. When I open my messages, I’m right. It’s him.

Evan – Why are you avoiding me?

Me – I’m not. I’m at Addy’s. We’re making jelly.

Wow. I’m really going to go to hell for lying so much.

Evan – No you’re not. I just called Addy and she didn’t know where you were.

Me – She’s too preoccupied with Crew. He’s totally into her. I’m with Bev and we’re in Addy’s kitchen cleaning rhubarb. You know we come and go as we want.

Evan – Bullshit.

Me – Look, I’m good for the night. I don’t know what my so-called best friend said to you, but she’s dramatic. Whatever it was, it’s not a big deal and I’m pretty sure she lied to you.

Evan – It is a big deal. It’s a huge deal and I looked into your dad after what July told me last night. None of it’s good. It’s all really bad.

I need to quit texting so I’ll quit lying.

Me – I gotta go. We’re out of sugar and I need to run to the store.

Evan – Bullshit.

Me – No, it’s true. All out of sugar.

Evan – Turn around.

What?

I put my toe to the floor and twirl my chair to find him standing at the door. He’s sliding his damn cell into his pocket and hits the glass with his flat, open palm. “Open the door.”

I’m never going to get away from him.

I get up, trudge across the room, and grab the keys off the desk. When I flip the lock and open the door, he doesn’t move. “You know, you’re a real killer to a guy’s confidence.”

I shake my head and close my eyes. I’m done playing. And lying. When I open my eyes, I’m as serious as I’ve ever been when I beg, “Please, Evan. I can’t do this with you. Not right now. Whatever July told you today is true but she didn’t tell you everything because she doesn’t know everything. You don’t want to be with me. I know I look like I’m a barrel-of-monkeys kind of fun, but you’ll come to your senses eventually and I’m not sure if I can take that slap of reality. Not with you. I need you to stay my frenemy. Addy and all of you at the vineyard, you’re all I have here. If it gets weird between you and me, I’ll be the one to go because I’m already on the outside. I always have been and I always will be.”

He holds the door that’s still standing open and, between his gaze and the evening air, I shiver.

He lowers his voice and I’m not sure I’ve ever heard him so serious. “I’d never do that. Not to you, Mary.”

I shake my head. “No, you wouldn’t do that on purpose because you’re the perfect, all-American guy with all the fireworks, but it could still happen. It is the way it is and we wouldn’t be able to stop it.”

He holds out his hand. “Give me one night to change your mind. One night is all I need. Come with me.”

I nibble on my bottom lip because he makes it seem so easy when everything is excruciatingly difficult. It always has been.

“You have to give me a chance to prove it to you. I know you will because it’s who you are. It’s why I want you.”

I sigh.

“Open yourself up to me. I swear, you won’t regret it.” He means it because he’s good to the bone. I’ve watched him and, even after all the teasing and heckling to get my attention, I know it to be true.

“Let me get my purse and lock up.”

His face transforms. Not in arrogance because he’s gotten what he wanted. No.

Evan Hargrove is relieved.

I don’t know what he has planned but the man is smoother than a freshly-waxed upper lip. I certainly need to be on guard and definitely—most definitely—keep my clothes on.





8





Match Made in Hell





Evan





“Are we not going back to your apartment?”

Keeping my eyes on the dark country road, I shake my head. “I’ve decided if I want the upper hand, I need to keep you on your toes and alert so we’re going on a field trip. I don’t need you sneaking off to take a nap.”

She’s not getting away from me again. Now that I know what her problem is, I don’t want her at her apartment anyway. She didn’t pack a bag like I told her to, but that’s okay. I’ll have anything she could need where I’m taking her.

All I know is I’m done fucking around with this cat-and-mouse shit. That’s over. Especially after our time in her kitchen yesterday. No way is she running away from me again.

“I need to be home early. I have appointments first thing in the morning.”