Page 60 of It's Always Been You
“Not exactly?” I prod as she rises and shrugs her coat on. I throw my own coat on as I trail her to the door.
She eyes me skeptically as I follow her out of the building, the bell above the door jingling behind us as it closes. “What are you doing?”
Rounding my shoulders, I shrug, bracing myself against the nip of the wind. “I need some fresh air.”
Evie frowns, crossing her arms as she picks up her pace. Luckily for me, my legs are much longer than hers, so it’s easy enough to match her stride.
“So?” I press. “Who is this not-exactly-a-hot-date with?”
“It’s not a date, Brandon,” she all but moans. She’s concentrating on her feet as she walks, dodging small patches of ice as we amble down the street.
My arm lifts toward her unconsciously, and I leave it there to hover behind her protectively as I look around us, taking in the cheery, bustling view of Blairs Ferry’s business district as it prepares for the Christmas holiday. Main Street is currently aglow with twinkling lights, garland, and tinsel; the glimmering decor shimmers and winks at us from nearly every lamp post, fence, and shop entrance that we pass by. Christmas trees, wreaths, mistletoe, and boughs of holly adorn almost every window and door that we stroll past.
Evie was right. I’m probably the only business owner in Blairs Ferry who hasn’t decorated his office space for the Christmas season.
And it’s a darn shame.
“Who?” I insist.
“What’s it matter to you?”
“I need to know if he’s worthy of you.”
She snorts.
“Tell me.”
“Adam,” she eventually admits, throwing her arms up as she pauses and spins to face me. “Why? What’s it to you who I hang out with, anyway?”
“Adam?” I question, pulling her closer by the arm so we’re not blocking the path. She shuffles forward, a disgruntled look on her face. “You’re going on a date withAdam?”
“I’ve told you a million times that it’snota date,” she snaps as she crosses her arms and looks away. “And even if it were—whynotAdam? I’m single. I can do whatever I want, with whoever I want.”
I thumb her chin back in my direction. She bats my hand away. “Adam might still have feelings for you,” I warn her, reluctant to give away Adam’s secret. But she should know. “And I seem to recall a conversation where you told me you don’t enjoy being intimate with—”
Her jaw drops, and then she’s lurching toward me, slamming her hand over my mouth. For one split second, I contemplate wrapping my arms around her waist and kissing her senseless. Right here in public. She might not have enjoyed being intimate with Adam, but I can remind her just how much she enjoyed it with me—if that’s what it takes to end this drawn-out game of cat and mouse she’s forcing me to endure.
But then reality weighs heavily on my heart as she pulls back.
“Don’t!” she whisper-shouts, outraged as her eyes dance between mine. She’s acting as if she’s afraid to have the truth spoken out loud.
But maybe it wasn’t—isn’t—the truth. Maybe . . .
Maybe she wants to be with Adam.
It suddenly makes perfect sense. Why else would God want me to stand down, if not to let Evie find her way back to Adam—and maybe the faith, too?
And if that’s the case...then who am I to stand in the way of His plans? He told me not to hold my breath where she’s concerned, so I should be happy for them. Right? This might be the miracle Adam’s been praying for. I won’t be the reason they don’t end up together again. I was selfish with Evie once before, but I made a promise to myself—and God—that I would never, ever become that man again. I will never put my desire to be with Evie—or any other woman, for that matter—above her mental, emotional, or spiritual well-being. Never.
If this is my cup, then so be it.
Slowly, Evie retracts her hand from my mouth, taking a sizable step back. “Ugh. You are so—” She teeters and squeals, her arms flailing out around her as her foot slides sideways.
I lurch forward, but it’s too late—she’s already lying face up on the ground.
Chapter 19
Evie
