Page 47 of The Book Club Boyfriend
She snorts. “You sound like you miss her.”
I kick at a loose plank on the deck, watching as Rip twitches in his sleep. “I don’tmissher.”
Evie lets out a sharp laugh. “That was the least convincing thing you’ve ever said.”
I glare at the water like it personally offends me. “It’s just… weird. After the power outage, the storm, the ice cream, I thought…”
I trail off because I don’t really know what I was thinking.
That we were friends? That we’d actually started to enjoy each other’s company? That maybe—just maybe—I was finally getting under her skin in a way that wasn’t just pure irritation?
I shake my head, frustrated.
“Forget it,” I mutter. “Doesn’t matter. Michigan’s almost over. We’ve got one book club thingin Dallas, and then we’ll go our separate ways.”
Evie scoffs. “Yeah, sure. Because working together in front of a million eyes is gonna besoeasy when she’s still pissed at you.”
I rub my temple. “I never said it was gonna be easy.”
“She’s still pissed?”
“I’m assuming so. Did you miss the part where I said I haven’t seen her in seven days?”
Evie clicks her tongue. “And you haven’t tried to fix it?”
“I can’t exactlyforceher to talk to me. She’s stubborn as hell.”
“Well, duh. That’s why you like her.”
I still.
My heart kicks up.
Evie doesn’t say anything for a beat, letting the words settle.
I scowl. “I don’tlikeher.”
She hums. “Mmm. Okay.”
“Evie.”
“Chase.”
I groan, scrubbing a hand over my jaw. “Idon’t.”
“Right. And I’m sure you’re totally fine never seeing her again after this whole book club thing wraps up.”
I grind my teeth.
Eviedefinitelyhears my silence because shelaughs.
“Oh my gosh,” she says. “Youdolike her.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I’m hanging up now.”
“Fine, fine. Just do me a favor?”
I sigh. “What?”
