Page 36 of Wicked & Wildflower

“I said be mydate.” I sigh. “We met with Leo’s lawyer, just to get some guidance on what kind of case—if any—Jason and my father could make. He says they don’t have much, but with the right legal counsel and unlimited funds—which my father does have—he could potentially try.” Our feet drag along the sand as we continue walking side by side. “I don’t understand theirmotives, so it’s hard to know their actions, and I want to be prepared.” I bite my lip. “In the midst of all that, I may have accidentally disclosed to our siblings that we…”

Everett grins.

“Anyway,” I roll my eyes, “since you took it upon yourself to say that you’re my boyfriend, Leo suggested we lean into that narrative.” I lift my head, gaze clashing with his. “He said there will be some reporters at the Banquet, and he thought it’d be a good idea if you took me as your date, since my father will be keeping tabs.”

I don’t tell him what Leo said about Everett needing a distraction from the anniversary of Zach’s death, and after all Everett just said, I realize Leo was completely right about that.

“Malcolm thinks that’s a good idea?”

“We didn’t ask.” I can feel Everett’s eyes on me. “He said I should plant roots. Establish a life here. Find a support system who could provide the stability and support that Lou’s father never could. He didn’t say it outright, but I suppose if it appeared I was bringing someone into her life to fill the space he left…”

Everett’s breath seems to catch at that, and I realize just how large of a proposition I’ve just made.

Backtracking, I say quickly, “Which, of course, is ridiculous. That’s not what I’m asking.” I shake my head. “I just mean… There is no getting rid of you now anyway because of the whole—” Everett’s head whips to the side, and I lift mine to meet his eyes. They’re narrowed and concerned. “I didn’t mean it that way. I don’t want to getridof you, I—” I take a deep breath. “I don’t know what I’m saying.”

“Are you trying to tell me that you’ve never let someone meet your daughter before, which is why you normally choose to never speak to a man after night one? Are you trying to tellme that was your intention with me? Why you didn’t want to exchange names?”

I nod.

“I already knew all of that, Wildflower. So, are you also trying to tell me that based on your dad’s reaction…” His jaw ticks in anger at the memory. “The things that he said to you that day at Heathen’s, you think he may try and hold our one-night-stand against you?”

I hadn’t thought of that, actually. Thinking back, my father had called me a slut. Everett referring to himself as my boyfriend would squash any notion my father has of using promiscuity against me.

So, I nod. “I think he’d use anything he could to prove I’m an awful mother, go to any length to get my sister and I back in Crestwell. Get his control back.”

Before I have time to process much of anything, two strong arms grasp my shoulders as my body is being turned to face him. He drops his head, brown eyes clashing against mine. “Taking a night off does not make you a bad mother. Going on a date does not make you a bad mother. Having casual, consensual sex does not make you a bad mother. You are wonderful to that girl, and anyone with eyes and a functioning brain stem would be able to see that. You’re allowed to be a human being, Dahlia. You are not exclusively tied to that title. You can be a woman. Have a career. Hobbies. Be a friend and a sister. You’re entitled to all of those things— to having an identity outside of Lou’s mother. There is nothing wrong with that.” The lowering sun casts Everett’s face in a golden hue, bright conviction and waring emotion in his eyes. “Do you understand?”

“I want to,” I whisper honestly. “But I’m just not sure that’s true.”

“How can I prove to you that it is?”

I almost say it then, almost open my mouth and tell him that when I met him, he made me feel like a woman. He made me feel desirable, wild and free. He reminded me of the person I’d always dreamed I’d be before I saw those two little pink lines on the bathroom floor.

Oh, how badly I want to be that woman again. How I wish I could take surf lessons. Play pool. Drive an impractical car with no doors so I can feel the wind whipping through my hair as I drive.

But I don’t. “That’s not what I’m asking of you,” is what I find myself saying.

“Let me prove it to you anyway.”

“Everett.” I shake my head. “It’s not about any of that. That’s not why I wanted to talk to you.”

“I know. You want me to pretend to date you when there are cameras around my brother to threaten your father, to help give the appearance you’re providing your daughter with a stable environment and a supportive male role model.”

“Yes.”

“Great. Can do,” he says immediately, as if requiring no further explanation on the matter. “But I’m also going to take you on dates. I’m gonna show you that you can be so much more than just her mother. You can be yourself too.”

“Why?” I ask breathlessly.

“Because I want to,” he says quickly. Pausing to settle himself, Everett takes a breath. “And because I think this might be in my best interest too, honestly.”

I cock my head, interest piqued. “What makes you say that?”

He chews on his lip, looking off to the horizon, almost as if he’s nervous. “I kind of have a…reputation. I guess.”

“You don’t say?”

He rolls his eyes. “My dad has been giving me shit about it. Some of my…past flings have been painting the businesses in a bad light.” He swallows. “Leo’s been giving me shit about it too.”

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