Page 21 of Sipping Seduction
Evan steepled his fingers under his chin. “You do.”
“I do what?” My bra strap was twisted in the back, making the fabric wrinkle. I tried to reach up and smooth it, but my arm didn’t quite bend that way.
“Let me get it.” Evan tugged the zipper down and slipped his finger under my strap. A shiver raced down my back, making my skin pebble. “There, that’s better.”
My breath caught as he tugged my zipper back in place, and my gaze met his in the mirror. Something passed between us. Something new and awkward and weird. I didn’t have time to make sense of it, not with Andrew standing on the front porch waiting for me.
I turned around and took a step back, too unsure to meet his gaze. “Are you sure I look okay? I don’t want to embarrass myself. If you think I need to change, I will.”
Evan put his finger under my chin and tipped my head up so I’d look at him. “You’re beautiful. You look too good tonight to be going out with a Stewart, okay?”
Andrew knocked on the front door again, pulling me out of the moment.
“I’m coming!” I yelled in the direction of the front door. Then I took in a deep breath and gave Evan a grateful grin. “Thanks for telling me the truth.”
“Always. Now, let’s go get this over with, shall we?”
Awkward didn’t beginto describe how it felt to stand between Evan and Andrew while they sized each other up. Well, Evan appeared to do most of the sizing. Andrew just smiled and endured the inquisition my best friend seemed hellbent on putting him through.
“So, how long have you been in town?” Evan had taken the seat on the couch next to me before Andrew could sit down, so he sat in a leather chair on the other side of the coffee table. I recognized it as a hand-me-down from the rec room in Evan’s parents’ house where he grew up.
“A few months.” Andrew gave me a reassuring smile. I’d warned him he’d be meeting my new roommate tonight, though I had no idea Evan had slipped into a protective big brother role. “I spent a lot of time here visiting family when I was younger and always thought it would be fun to live around here. There’s so much history.”
“And what do you do for a living?” Evan leaned against the back of the couch and rested his arm on the cushion.
“He’s in management. I already told you that.” Ready to put a stop to whatever scare tactics Evan had in mind, I pushed myself up from the couch. “What time is our reservation? Shouldn’t we get going?”
Andrew stood. “We’ve got a little time, though if we leave early, there’s a spot along the way where we can stop and see my friend’s art exhibit.”
I could sense Evan’s eye roll behind my back. “What kind of art?”
“Sculpture, mostly. He takes everyday items and turns them into a commentary on modern-day society. One of his pieces is currently on display at MOMA.”
“Impressive.” Evan nodded, even though I knew for a fact he had no interest in art unless it happened to be a picture of dogs playing poker. Even better if they were smoking cigars. “You know Frannie took an art class in college.”
My lungs seized. He wouldn’t go there. No way would he try to compare my failed attempt at making stained glass for a college credit with Andrew’s friend’s successful career.
“It was just a class. It’s not like I was ever any good at it.” I gave him my best “drop it” look, but he just smiled.
“I’ve got one of your early pieces. Hold on a sec, and I’ll go get it.” He was up and down the hall before I could stop him. I had no idea what “art” of mine he would have held on to. Nothing I made ever turned out. That’s when I knew I’d be better off organizing volunteers to take charge of the arts and crafts activities in my classroom. If left up to me, the kids would be reduced to coloring pages or store-bought kits.
“We really need to get going, Evan. Maybe you can show Andrew next time.” I tugged on Andrew’s arm, trying to get him to the door before Evan came back in the room. “I’d love to stop and see the exhibit on the way.”
Andrew patted my hand. “It’s okay, Frannie. We’ve got plenty of time.”
“But I don’t want to have to rush through the exhibit.” I picked up my purse from the table in the entry just as Evan came back into the room. As soon as I saw what he held in his hand, the memories came rushing back. I’d spent so much time on the sun catcher he held up, and it still looked like something a toddler pieced together.
“Here it is.” Evan dangled the stained glass sun catcher from his fingers. “Her first masterpiece.”
Andrew moved toward Evan. “What is it?”
Sensing I wasn’t going to get out of there without an explanation, I walked over to Evan and snagged the item from his hand. “It’s a sun catcher. I made it for Evan while he was in the Army, to remind him of home.”
“Is it an elephant?” Andrew squinted at the mix of browns and grays I’d used.
“We do get a lot of elephants in Beaver Bluff.” Evan nodded.
I planted an elbow in his ribs for two reasons. Number one, for being such a smart-ass, and number two, for bringing out the sun catcher in the first place. “It’s supposed to be a beaver by the river. My Grandma Masterson made an incredible quilt with all of these appliqued beavers on it when I was little. I was trying to make something similar to remind Evan of home while he was so far away.”
