Page 52 of Jingle Bell Jilt
“Evan? Is that you?”
We stop in our tracks and Evan looks over his shoulder. “Mr. Jenkins?” His voice says ‘good to see you,’ but his expression says ‘son of a biscuit.’
“Hey, I thought that was you.” Mr. Jenkins is an older man, probably in his late sixties. He glances at me, and his brows hitch up ever so much.
Evan nods. “Yep, it’s me. What are you doing here?”
Mr. Jenkins motions to the store on the corner. “The family is down for the holidays and the grandkids wanted to come to the parks.”
Evan nods, but our hands bounce lightly against his thigh. “Sounds like a fun time.”
Mr. Jenkins’ gaze flicks over to me again. “I don’t think we’ve met, but I’ve seen you coming in and out of Evan’s house the last few mornings.”
I smile. Holy Hannah, that sentence would put my mother in her grave, I’m certain of it.
Evan tips his head to the side. “Shay, this is my neighbor across the street.” His smile is completely fake. “Mr. Jenkins, this is my friend, Shay Taylor.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet a ‘friend’ of Evan’s,” he winks at me, and Evan’s hand tightens around mine. Mr. Jenkins looks back at Evan with amused eyes. “I thought it curious you didn’t go home for Christmas this year. But now it makes sense.”
Evan glances at his watch. “Oh, it’s almost time for our Lightning Lane pass. We better get going.” He flicks his chin up in a sort of dismissal. “I hope your family has a great time visiting.”
Mr. Jenkins waves. “See you two around.”
“I’m sure he will…out the front window,” Evan grumbles. “His gossiping is only superseded by his wife’s. The entire complex will know about this before the evening’s out. Heck, it will probably be in the community newsletter.”
I sigh. I’ve made a mess for him to clean up once I leave. That’s not why I came to Florida.
I’m practically jogging trying to keep up with Evan’s pace. I don’t want to give him a reason to drop my hand. I press my warm, tingling lips together. Nathan had never done THAT to them before. In fact, I can’t say that I ever felt remotely like this after kissing Nathan. Not even the first time. My heart is still racing and my whole body is shaky. I’m sweating and chilling at the same time.
But I want to experience it again because I don’t remember feeling this alive in a long time. How had I not realized how emotionless my relationship with Nathan was? I mean, he kissed me, but it was nothing like Evan. It’s embarrassing to admit, but it had been little more than a peck in recent months. How had I not noticed? Or had I just overlooked it for the sake of being married?
“I’m really sorry about that.” Evan huffs out. “I should never have allowed it to go that far.”
I look at Evan as it registers what he said. “You’re sorry? For what?”
He’s frowning—complete with a furrowed brow. Not really the look I’m hoping to get so soon after receiving or giving (who’s keeping track?) perhaps the best kiss of my life. But apparently, that’s only my opinion, because he looks almost sick.
I don’t really know what to say. But it turns out I don’t need to say anything. “For all that back there.”
I want to curl up in a ball and throw Big Green over the top of me and not emerge until spring. Or maybe summer. Or maybe just after Evan returns to New Hampshire.
Dang, Maggie, and Charolotte Lucas, and their erroneous advice.Go for the rebound, echoes in my head. Why do I keep listening to her?
CHAPTERNINETEEN
EVAN
Things weren’t as awkward as I thought they’d be after I kissed Shay at Magic Kingdom the other day. Apart from the few minutes afterward, which was only awkward because of nosy Mr. Jenkins, things have been comfortable. We haven’t kissed again, but it’s like we’ve been friends forever. Last night Shay even came out and worked on her computer while I was watching a college bowl game.
We’ve spent the last two days at the other parks, thinking up new names for all the employees. I don’t think I’ll ever look at a name badge the same way.
I’ve had more fun than I’ve had in years. And I can’t deny that I like her. Not in a just-one-of-the-guys kind of ways. But an I-can’t-stop-thinking-about-her kind of way. I like-like her. And yes, I realize I’m sounding like an eighth-grade girl.
I guess if I’m speaking like a man, I’ll admit that I’m might be falling in love with her.
I know I should never have let this happen. She was engaged to a good friend of mine. And even though I’ve come to realize that Nathan is a complete idiot and tool, it still isn’t cool to be in this situation. But as much as I try, I can’t figure out how I could have stopped it—shy of forcing her to stay at the drug-infested motel in the bad part of town.
To make matters worse, Nathan tried calling me yesterday. I was so freaked out that I rejected the call after two rings. So he probably knows I’m avoiding his calls. But I know I would have sounded like a numbnuts if I’d tried to talk to him while I’m this confused about Shay. I sigh. I’m not confused about how I feel about her. I’m just confused about what to do about it.
