Page 54 of An Overdue Match
She tilted her head. “What about me?”
“Aiden seems like aniceguy.” Maybe it was petty to emphasize the wordnice. Draw attention to the fact that she didn’t think Tai could claim the character trait. “Why don’t you take your own advice? Why don’t you turn your matchmaking energy on yourself?”
The same look of longing he’d noticed in her expression earlier returned, dampened, however, by a veil of hurt and fear. Tai recognized the look. He recognized it because it was one he’d worn himself once upon a time. When he’d first considered defying his mother’s wishes. When he’d contemplated living in the moment instead of by the fears of what could happen. He’d yearned for the freedom and independence to try new things and gain new experiences while simultaneously being held back by years of ingrained anxiety. But he’d had to let that fear go. He’d had to take a leap into the living instead of watching from the safety of the sideline.
“I already told you. I don’t date.” She said it with such finality, as if slamming the door not only on the conversation but on her love life. Forever.
But Tai wasn’t ready to let the topic drop. “Why?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“I disagree. I think it is very much my business.”
“You presume too much.”
“I’m sorry to have to disagree again, but from my perspective, I presume just the right amount. No matter how much you play that you don’t understand what I mean, I know you do. Because you are one of the smartest, cleverest people I’ve ever met.”
Tai stepped in front of her, blocking any escape. He could see it in her eyes, the desire to flee. From him. From the conversation. From the truth right in front of her face.
She took a step back, but her retreat was halted by the counter. Their bodies lined up in perfect symmetry only inches apart. Enough space to keep things professional in her place of work but close enough that he could feel the heat coming off her. The exhale of her breath across the sensitive skin of his lips. When she moved her hand to press it against her stomach, the back of her fingers grazed his own middle, causing his abdominal muscles to tighten in response. Thickness built in his throat, but he wasn’t done saying what he needed to say.
“So,” he finally continued once he got himself under control. “You know it’s my business why you choose to date or not because you know that’s what I want. A relationship. Withyou. But you say I’m bad and, heaven help me, maybe I am. Maybe I am bad because I’d do anything to be with you, to spend time with you.”
He had more to say. More in his heart that he was willing to split open and lay bare for her. But her lips parted, and the small movement scattered his thoughts with the force of a tornado. He could focus on nothing but the plump fullnessin front of him. The swell and curve of her mouth. His heart was knocking that familiar rhythm again, chantingmine, mine, mine.
A sharp knock sounded, causing Evangeline to squeak and dash around him.
“Evangeline? You in here?” an unfamiliar female voice said from the direction of the door.
“Penelope? What are you doing in Little Creek?”
Tai ran his fingers through his hair, tugging at the ends. He took a few deep breaths before he turned around. He felt he’d been thrown in a wood chipper, and he needed a few quiet moments to put himself back in order.
A woman who resembled Evangeline in the shape of her face and the slope of her nose stood in the threshold, her eyes wide as she flicked her gaze between Evangeline and Tai.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt,” her mouth said while her look with Evangeline communicated so much more.
Evangeline flushed. “You didn’t interrupt anything.”
Tai vehemently disagreed, but he stayed silent.
“This is Tai, by the way.” She waggled her fingers in his general direction.
Taking his cue, Tai stepped forward and held out his hand. “Tai Davis.”
“Penelope.” She placed her hand in his. “Evangeline’s sister.”
“It’s nice to meet you.”
She took his measure in a single glance as if she were accustomed to weighing and sorting men within seconds of their introduction. As always, he knew the conclusions people jumped to when they first laid eyes on him, heavily inked with a preference for dark clothing. He expected Penelope to follow along the same line of thought her sister had, so when she responded by saying, “It’s very nice to meet you as well, Tai,” and then gave her sister a knowing and approving grin, Tai was stunned.
“You know I always love seeing you, sis, but I didn’t expect you here today.”
“I can see that.” Penelope waggled her brows not so subtly in his direction.
He held in a snort of laughter. Looked like he had an unexpected ally on his side.
Evangeline squirmed a little where she stood, obviously uncomfortable with the implications her sister was hinting at. Taking pity on her, Penelope opened the large purse slung over her shoulder and pulled out a gallon-sized Ziploc bag filled with what appeared to be old letters.
