Page 20 of Space Crush
Evan, taking my silence for disbelief, steps closer. “I know it sounds unbelievable, Kaley, but I swear?—”
“Oh, I believe it.” Rose nods. “I’m not saying it isn’t weird, but I would totally do the same for any of my friends.”
Evan’s brow pinches, clearly disturbed that Rose is the one to agree with his actions.
Kathy smiles fondly at her son. “He’s a bit overprotective, but you can’t blame him.” Her eyes find mine, softening further. “He’s an only child who lost his mom at six and then, more recently, his father.” She squeezes her hands together, as if stopping herself from reaching out to Evan. “He means well.”
Sharon clasps her hands to her chest and sniffs.
Rose wraps an arm around her, pulling her to her side.
The truth sinks in—ridiculous and crazy as it is—and the pang in my chest is no longer from the hurt and anger. It’s more heartfelt and sympathetic. “I have one more question.”
Evan, noticing the change in my tone, perks up. “Yeah?”
I lean around him to Kathy. “Was your birthday lunch at Perry’s Steakhouse, by chance?”
Kathy’s face brightens. “Why yes, it was. How did you know?”
It’s my turn to shift uncomfortably. “I may have seen you two enter.”
Evan’s jaw drops. “That’swhy you started avoiding me?”
Too embarrassed to agree, I shrug.
We all stand there, at a loss for what comes next.
Well, not all of us.
“Happy birthday, by the way,” Rose offers Kathy, drawing her attention. “You don’t look a day over forty.”
Kathy, eyes bright with emotion as she looks between Evan and me, laughs a little too loudly. “Aren’t you sweet.”
Straightening, Sharon dabs at her eyes. “We offer a ten percent gift certificate during your birthday month.”
“Oooh.” Kathy looks around with interest.
“Please, God.” Evan pinches the bridge of his nose. “Please, wait until I’m not here to shop for underwear.”
“Don’t be such a stick in the mud.” Rose walks over to Kathy, sliding an arm around her. “Let’s make the most of that discount.” She leads her toward the back of the store, Sharon following.
“I love your outfit,” Kathy says to Rose, looking her up and down. “Very festive.”
“Why thank you.” Rose grabs a peek-a-boo teddy off a rack they pass, holding it out in front Kathy before handing it to Sharon. “By the way, have you ever thought of taking up pole dancing?”
Their voices fade as they meander their way to the back, leaving Evan and me alone.
Evan, looking slightly ill, turns to me, his eyes wide. “She’s kidding about the pole dancing, right?”
But before I can answer, he shakes his head. “Never mind.” Closing the distance between us, he takes my shoulders in his hands. “I’m just glad we’re finally alone.”
I wonder if he’d still be glad if he knew Rose was leading Kathy in the direction of the store’s cultivated selection of vibrators.
Seeing the hopeful expression on his face, I decide this may be one instance where ignorance is bliss.
“And I’m sorry for all the confusion.”
“I’m sorry for the fastball to your penis.”
