Page 22 of #Awestruck

“You can’t count Buster as a person. He was our dog.” She sighed again. “And I think you’re wrong about the kind of man he is now. There’s a real he-goes-to-Africa-to-dig-wells kind of thing happening in his aura. Seriously, he’s hot enough that I’d date him even if his personality sucked.”

Evan was off the phone and smiling as he went over his list, obviously listening in.

“Sound travels,” I whispered to her. “He can hear you.”

“I know what sound does,” she said in her normal tone. “You think I don’t want him to know I think he’s hot? Hey, cutie, how you doin’?” She said the last part loudly.

Evan’s smile widened.

“Don’t you have a boyfriend? Ned or Fred something?”

“Ted. Teddy, actually. But Teddy is no Evan Dawson. And he’s not my boyfriend.” Another happy sigh. “Hey, if you’re not going to date him, do you mind if I ask him out? And if you are going to date, can you introduce me to one of his teammates? Like that Scottish kicker is seriously adorable.”

It was a well-established fact that Baileys had a weakness for football players. It had started with my grandmother, an heiress who had wanted nothing more than to be a sports reporter for thePortland Blaze. She’d ended up with a member of the Jacks as her husband. My dad played college ball, as did Justin before he blew out his knee.

I should be attracted to nice, sweet men. Men who grew beards and kept bees and wrote sonnets about how much they liked my hips. But I was discovering that my body was shallow and easily swayed by muscles and cut jaws and manly forearms.

In the midst of my self-loathing over my poor choices in men, Aubrey breezed back downstairs carrying Joey on one side and Charlotte on the other. She set Charlotte down and went into the kitchen.

“We’re off. Evan, please make yourself at home, and you’ve got my cell number if you have any questions. Thanks so much for helping out.”

“My pleasure.”

I had one last attempt before they left. “Can’t I just take the list home and work on it there? There’s no reason we have to be here.” Both of us. At the same time.

Aubrey swung the diaper bag over her shoulder. “The master lists do not leave my house. I don’t want them to get lost or get stuff spilled on them.”

“That won’t happen. I’m not Rory.”

“Hey!” Rory protested.

“Time for us to go. Come on, Rory, Mom and Dad are expecting you. It’s been a long time since you’ve been home to visit.” Aubrey took Rory by the wrist, like she was another one of her children she had to corral.

Rory whined as she dragged her feet. “There’s a reason for that!”

“Charlotte, Joey, say goodbye to Aunt Ashton and Evan.”

Joey had his head tucked against Aubrey’s shoulder and smiled at me. “Bye.” Then he gave Evan a little wave. “Bye, football man.”

Charlotte hugged me around my legs and then waved widely at Evan. “See you later, Satan!”

There was a stunned silence until Aubrey was back in motion, getting her children and Rory out of the house. The front door closed with the sounds of Aubrey telling her older kid not to call people Satan.

I was alone. With Evan Dawson.

I wanted to follow after them. Seek out refuge in my parents’ home. But I wasn’t a wuss, and I had already let Evan Dawson control a big part of my life. I wasn’t about to give him even more of it.

I’d promised Aubrey, and I was going to do what she’d asked me to do.

Evan stood, walked over to the refrigerator, and pulled out a pitcher of orange juice. He opened a few cabinets, presumably looking for a glass.

“What are you doing?” I couldn’t help but ask.

“Your sister said to make myself at home, and I’m thirsty.” He located a glass and filled it.

“That’s just something people say. They don’t actually want you to start snooping around their house.”

“I’m not snooping. Just getting some juice. Do you want some?”

---