Page 67 of Ten Rules for Faking It
“Hmm. Okay. I’ll watch a few episodes, and we can compare their badassery.”
Chris laughed. He did that a lot around Everly. “Speaking of, you going to try kickboxing again?” He wasn’t about to admit he’d been back to the gym twice in hopes of running into her.
She looked almost bashful. “I went to a morning class. It was good but I liked ours better so I’ll probably go back to that one.”
“Good. I could use a sparring partner,” he said, smiling at her, lifting his brows. He kickboxed with Rob. Definitely a friend-zone thing.
Her face scrunched. “I don’t know, Chris. That might not be a good idea.”
Disappointment lodged in his gut—he started to nod, toagree, then her face lit with a brilliant smile that socked him right in the chest.
“I don’t want my kicking your ass to put a strain on our budding friendship.”
Another chuckle escaped, and he tried to think of another woman—person—who made him feel so at ease. The more time they spent together, the more her guard seemed to come down. She wasfunny.He hadn’t expected that.
They settled into the show, and Chris had to admit it was pretty good. He honestly wasn’t sure if it was what he watched on-screen or just the experience of sitting with Everly in her home, with her relaxed and comfortable in his presence, while they shared popcorn and laughter. He’d have to watch a couple of episodes at home and see if he still felt the same. What worried him, and he wasn’t a worrier by nature, was the idea that when he wasn’t around her, when he left, wherever he ended up, nothing would feel the same. That he’d have an Everly-size hole when he finally said good-bye.
[23]
Everly stood outside of the gym, unsure of which part of the day was knotting up her stomach. Of all the…God. Just label it.Of all theanxiety-related issues she cataloged as just part of who she was, the one that bugged her most was not knowing what caused the restless uncertainty inside of her. It was as though she could feel the extra energy vibrating through her, around her, under her skin, making her hyperaware, extra jumpy, and sometimes more emotional.
It was one thing to be put into a situation—a party, a date, dinner with her parents—and have it push her buttons. She coulddealin the moment. When she approached the unknown, her thoughts barrel-rolled over her sanity. But she’d been to the gym twice now, so it shouldn’tstillmake her pulse frantic.
“You didn’t have to wait out here for me,” Stacey said.
Everly swallowed down a yelp and spun around to see her friend. Dressed in workout clothes that were both sexy and functional, which Everly envied, Stacey grinned.
“No worries,” Everly said.Or irony. Definitely no irony in you using that phrase.
Stacey put her fists up in front of her chin. “We could go a couple of rounds out here.”
Laughter soothed some of the vibrations, making them more manageable.
She pulled the door open and waved Stacey through first. “I’m good, Rocky.”
Stacey strutted past her. Whoever she’d gone out with the night before had left her extra feisty. She’d made nonstop jokes on the air this morning. A couple were about Everly’s dating life, which earned her friend an equal amount of succinct whiteboard messages, but most were pretty funny.
“I’m thinking more Wonder Woman,” Stacey said.
The door swung shut behind them as they walked to the counter. “No. You’re more Black Widow.”You could ask for lessons.
Stacey’s eyes widened. “Yes. I think you’re right.”
Everly stopped before they got to the counter, looking at Stacey expectantly.
“What?”
Everly rolled her hands. “Who am I?”
“Oh.” Stacey gave her a once-over and put her hand to her chin. “Pepper Potts.”
“What? She doesn’t kick anyone’s ass,” Everly said, louder than she’d meant to. There was absolutely no reason to be upset by a joke she’d started, butPepper Potts?
“She’s totally badass,” the woman at the counter said.
Everly and Stacey looked her way, and heat suffused Everly’s skin. She didn’t mean to draw anyone else’s attention. Especially not for a ridiculous conversation.
Stacey pulled her wallet out of her duffel bag and walked up to the counter. “Right? Pepper is the behind-the-scenes muscle. She’s got the freaky kind of power that makes people—well, Tony—do things and think they’re his own idea.”
