Page 40 of Rule 5: Never Crush on the Captain
“Valentina?” I ask.
Valentina gives a slow smile. “Hello, Vinnie. I didn’t expect to see you here.”
I swallow hard. “Evan hurt his head.”
Her grin widens. “So now he’s spending time with you?”
Heat surges over my cheeks. “I mean... I had to give him concussion protocol.”
“How very heroic of you to continue to provide that for him.”
My gaze darts to Evan. His face is stiffer than before, and his eyes bounce around the room, never quite meeting mine.
Stella follows the conversation, not missing a word her mother says.
“Well. Guess you’re fine now, Evan,” I say. “Congratulations.”
Stella beams. “You’re healthy, Daddy?”
“Uh-huh,” he says lightly.
“I should go,” I say.
Evan frowns. “Sit down, Vinnie.”
I blink.
“I’ll make coffee.”
“I have coffee at home,” I say weakly.
“It will take ten minutes,” Evan says, finally irritated.
“Fine. But I’ll make it.”
Valentina’s lips curl. “You should have overnight guests more often, Evan. Makes things more interesting.”
I make coffee for the three adults, then pour some milk for Stella. I avoid looking at Valentina, but her presence fills the entire house. A thick tension rolls through the air, where before there was only light and hope.
Valentina and Evan are not together, I remind myself. If they were, the tabloids would cover it. If they were, Evan wouldn’t have kissed me.
But my thoughts feel silly in my head. It’s morning now, and Evan isn’t going to announce that anything has changed between us.
I hadn’t dared to dream for last night to happen, and now that it has, how can I hope for anything else?
I can’t.
I need to leave.
But because Evans asked for coffee, that’s what I bring him.
“I didn’t expect Evan to have company.”
I shift my legs, and something around my chest tightens. “Evan was hurt. I’m just helping him.”
I’m suddenly reminded of the period after Valentina sauntered off to New York City. The time when Evan wondered how it had all gone wrong.
And now she’s back.
