Page 51 of Tattoo My Heart
At this point, I don’t even care. As long as I have a vehicle to take me from point A to point B safely, I am good with it.
“That’s fine,” I assure him. “I’ll be in town on Thursday. I am meeting with the realtor about the building across from the fire department.”
“Ah, good deal. I looked at it, too, but I have bigger fish to fry.”
We chat for a few minutes as I get in the truck and start driving toward where Evie lives. The drive is not so bad when there’s no traffic. But when you hit the afternoon rush hour, what a nightmare.
When I see the ramp to the expressway and all the cars sitting there, I curse my luck. I decide that I’ll take the back way there. It’s longer, but at least I’ll be moving. I bet it’d take me less time than dealing with that mess.
By the time I see the sign showing that I am two miles away from my destination, I let out a sigh of relief. It wasn’t so bad.
I turn onto the main street, deciding to drive by Evie’s shop first, just in case she’s still there. My mouth goes slack when I notice her in front of her building, talking and, worse yet, laughing with the dude from before. Sebastian Roonie. Bass.
“What the fuck.”
I pull into the parking lot in front of the building, tires squealing, making sure everyone within a mile radius knows I have arrived. As if in slow motion, I notice Evie turning her head to look, happy smile in place. That is replaced by confusion as soon as she recognizes me.
I see the surprise on Evie’s face, but I don’t give her a chance to say anything. Instead, I march right to Bass and stick a finger under his nose.
“Did I not make myself clear the other day?”
He has the nerve to smirk at me in amusement.
“As far as what?”
“As far as Evie not being available for you to talk to.” I am clenching my jaw so hard, the words barely have a chance to pass my lips.
“Oh my god,” Evie gasps in shock. “I can’t believe you, Cal Prentice. What do you think gives you the right to come here and…”
I see red. Not only that she is talking to another man, but she is defending him to me as well. I turn and stare at her. By now, smoke is probably coming out of my ears.
“Did I not make myself clear the other day?” I repeat the question I had for herboyfriendhere.
She crosses her arms over her chest and stomps her foot at me. She is just as angry now. Good.
“As far as what?” she deadpans, giving me the same words that Bass did.
This time, I don’t bother explaining anything to her. Instead, I grab her by the arm and drag her behind me, refusing to let go even when she tries to dig her heels in and stop me.
“Cal Prentice,” she starts. “I swear on all that’s holy in this world that if you don’t stop embarrassing me in front of my friend…” That gets my attention.
“Your friend?” I snort, never once stopping. “He’s your friend now?”
We are now in front of her flower shop. A push from me and the door opens. I can’t believe she just walked out and didn’t even bother to lock the damn place down.
Just as I am about to slam the door behind us and lock it for good measure, a hand drops against it, stopping my progress.
“Just making sure she’s alright,” Bass grumbles from his impressive height.
“Oh, I am more than alright,” Evie yells from behind me. “I am about to kick some serious ass. Just watch!”
The words set ablaze everything I’m feeling about this woman. Without another word, I just turn my back to Bass, not caring whether he stays or goes. I grab Evie by the back of her head and yank her into me. The momentum almost throws her back. I’d laugh if I wasn’t this wound up.
“I hate you so much, Cal Prentice.”
She is speaking softly, all the anger having evaporated. Our lips touch a bit, and when I take too long to do anything, she sticks the tip of her tongue out and licks at the center of my bottom lip. I continue staring, and she does it again, and again.
With a battle growl, I put my hands under her ass and pick her up. Her legs wrap around my hips and her mouth drops over mine in an instant.
