by Raine Thomas
A corner of his mouth lifted when he spotted the Hostess cupcake next to the other offerings. He used one of the trays attached to the grills to support his plate and ate while the conversation flowed. More of the complex’s tenants stopped by as they grabbed burgers and dogs, introducing themselves and occasionally joining the talk.
By the time he was on his third beer, he realized he was actually having a nice time. No one treated him differently than anyone else. He wasn’t being hounded for autographs. People respected his personal space. All in all, he was glad he’d stayed. The only thing that would make it better was if—
“Evan?” called out a familiar voice. “There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you.”
Turning, he saw Angeline making her way through the crowd. She wore a white bikini without any kind of cover-up. Enough of her skin showed that he could tell she didn’t have any tan lines. Her long, auburn hair spilled over her shoulders and framed her lovely breasts.
“Hello—” he began.
He stopped abruptly when she drew him into a tight hug. “I’ve been telling my friends all about you,” she said. “I can’t wait to introduce you.”
She pulled back and smiled at him. It was clear from the glassy look in her eyes that she’d had more than a few alcoholic beverages.
“Look, Angeline—”
“Come on,” she insisted, grabbing his hand and tugging. “You promised.”
Zachary gave him a companionable slap on the back and handed him another beer as they passed. “Good luck, bro,” he said.
Evan tried to figure out how to remove himself from Angeline’s grip without embarrassing her and looking like an ass. Fortunately, they didn’t have to go far. Her friends were lying on loungers beside the pool. When they reached the chairs, Angeline wove her fingers through his, her grip like iron.
“I told you,” Angeline said, her gaze on the other two young women. “Dana, Valerie, this is Evan.”
“Is it true you’re a baseball player?” one of them asked. He had no idea which one she was.
“Yeah,” he said.
He took a sip of his beer as he tried to figure out a way out of this. He realized he’d been handed a Coors.
Great.
“Are you any good?” the other friend asked, her gaze calculating.
“Of course he’s good,” Angeline said, looking up at him with a wide smile. “He’s so sweet, too. You girls are going to love him.”
Alarm bells sounded in his head. This sounded much less like a friendly introduction than it did an intro to a boyfriend. What the hell?
“Angeline, I didn’t get a chance to talk to you alone before you brought me over here,” he said, keeping his tone casual. “Do you think we could find somewhere private for a few minutes?”
Her eyes lit up. “Oh, sure! I know the perfect spot. I’ll see you in a bit, girls.”
He nodded at Dana and Valerie as Angeline led him off. His mind raced as he tried to figure out what to say that wouldn’t cause a lot of drama. He kept coming up blank.
They passed the area where all of the dogs were playing. He saw Sierra sitting in the grass. She was trying to help a kid who looked about three or four to throw one of the Frisbees being tossed around. Neither of them appeared to be having much success.
He willed her to look over at him. Come on…
As if she heard him, she caught his eye. Relief rushed through him until her gaze shifted from him to Angeline and the smile faded from her face.
Shaking his head, he mouthed, Help me!
A second later, he vanished behind a wall. Angeline had pulled him into a shadowed alcove between the buildings. Where before it had seemed like the best idea to have this conversation in private, it now felt moronic.
“Angeline—”
She grabbed his T-shirt in both hands and pulled him down so she could kiss him. He stopped her before their lips connected.
“Angeline, listen to me,” he insisted, his voice low and firm. “You’ve got the wrong idea. I’m sorry if I led you to believe I was interested in a relationship, but the truth is, I’m not.”
Her eyes widened. “What? But—but I thought we had something. Felt something. All of the flirting…the way you look at me.”
He didn’t remember ever flirting with her, but wasn’t about to press the issue. “You’re a nice person, but I’m working through some stuff right now. What you’re looking for…what you deserve…it’s not what I can offer you.”
She brought a hand up to her chest. Her gaze moved in the direction of the pool.
“I’m such an idiot,” she whispered.
“No, you’re not,” he said. “I’m just not cut out for this. I don’t know that I ever will be. What I think you should do is tell Dana and Valerie that you dumped my sorry ass.”
“Oh, God. Dana and Valerie.” She shook her head. “I can’t believe I misread the signs.”
“I take full responsibility.”
“Shit. I’m blaming the alcohol. Well, I guess thanks for letting me down easy.”
“It’s the other way around, remember?”
She reached out and touched his arm before turning and walking unsteadily back to her friends. He took a deep breath and released it. That had gone better than he’d hoped.
“I think you handled that well,” Sierra said as she stepped out from behind the stairwell.
His heartbeat accelerated when he saw her. “I wasn’t sure you could read my lips.”
“Sure.” Her mouth curved into a smile. “I was all prepared to rescue you, but it looks like you did okay. You even managed to tell her things that you haven’t voiced until now.”
“I—what?”
“The boys miss you,” she said, linking her arm with his. “Come on. I’ve got a beer you’ll actually drink waiting for you.”
He let her lead him back out to the barbecue, but he was mentally replaying the words he’d given Angeline out of desperation. What exactly had he said?
What you’re looking for…what you deserve…it’s not what I can offer you.
I’m just not cut out for this. I don’t know that I ever will be.
Had he meant all of that? It had come from his gut when he said it to Angeline, but did he really feel that way all around?
He supposed it didn’t much matter. What mattered was that Sierra had heard every word.
And apparently, she believed it.
Chapter 24
Just as Sierra had warned Evan, the dogs were in desperate need of baths the day after the barbecue. It would be more messy than fun to tackle, but there was no getting around the task, especially after she’d spent half the day cleaning the previous day.
She did thirty minutes of yoga and ate some cereal for breakfast before putting on her bikini top and a pair of shorts. She tied her hair back and slid on a pair of rubber flip flops, then grabbed the dog shampoo and conditioner and one of Leo’s towels. Clipping on his leash, she headed over to Evan’s apartment.
He answered after the first knock. It looked like he’d been up for a while, which she’d come to expect from him. His eyes swept over her.
She smiled. “Good morning, Evan.”
“Good morning, Sierra.”
“Do your dogs stink as much as mine does?”
“As it happens…”
He stepped back and waved her and Leo in. The distinct scent of dog permeated the air.
“Oh, my,” she said, wrinkling her nose. “You need to change into clothes you care nothing about and crack a couple of windows to air this place out. We’re heading down to the dog bath.”
“We have a dog bath?” he asked. After catching her gaze, he shook his head. “Of course we have a dog bath. I’ll get changed.”
It took ten minutes for them to get loaded up and downstairs. Sierra led them through the lobby to a door opposite the gym. They walked down a hall that led to a small business center and an indoor rec room, finally reaching a room at the end. It held two large dog tubs with spray
hoses. Since it was a Monday morning, both baths were free.
“Leo’s better behaved than the boys,” she said, “so we’ll wash him first and let him wait in the wagon while we each take one of the other two.”
“What makes you think…?” He trailed off as he looked at his dogs, one of whom was trying to climb out of the wagon and the other who had twisted his leash around Evan’s ankle. “Okay, fine. Leo’s better behaved than the boys.”
He lifted Leo up into one of the dog baths and removed his leash and collar while Sierra got the water to the right temperature. Once the water was ready, she began hosing Leo down while Evan kept him from wriggling too much.
“Besides this fabulous chore, what do you plan to do on your day off?” she asked.
“Cole’s coming over. Everly’s working and he’s bored. How about you?”
“I’ve got some editing and uploading to do and some appointments to set. And I’ve got to e-mail Bastian some more ideas I have for the big shoot tomorrow.”
“Bastian’s your boss?”
“Yep. He owns Z Studios.”
“Cole mentioned him. The underwear shoot, right?”
She set the hose to the side and filled her hands with shampoo. “One and the same. That shoot helped launch Z Studios and got my career going. Actually, Bastian has asked me to become a partner.”
“Yeah? Are you going to do it?”
Shrugging, she worked the shampoo into Leo’s fur. “It doesn’t feel right for me.”
“Why not? Would you make less money?”
“No. I’d probably make more than I am right now.”
“Are the hours terrible?”
“They can be, but no more so than what I sometimes work now. Bastian has assured me that I could set my own schedule.”
“Do you hate the staff there or something?”
She knew he was searching for a logical answer to her resistance to accepting Bastian’s offer. Her family and friends had done the same. Although not all of them said it, they thought she was making a mistake and passing up a wonderful opportunity. Maybe she was, but that wouldn’t sway her decision. It was impossible for her to explain the feelings she got in her heart when something wasn’t right…and when it was.
“His assistant, Camille, has been iffy,” she said in answer to his question, “but she wouldn’t keep me from accepting the partnership if it’s what I really wanted.”
“What do you want?”
She looked up and caught his eye. After holding his gaze for a beat, she smiled and returned her attention to Leo.
“Can you move him so I can get his other side?”
He did, not commenting on her lack of an answer. They worked in silence for a few minutes. She felt his eyes on her several times, but she made no attempt to break the silence.
“The bikini top is a nice wardrobe choice,” he observed as they rinsed Leo.
“I’m glad you think so. I wore it for you.”
“Ah. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
She supposed she should have known where he was going with his observation, but she didn’t. She blamed that on not growing up with brothers. Halfway through Miller’s bath, she was suddenly sprayed in the chest from the other dog bath. Squealing, she jerked and looked at Evan in shock.
He laughed.
The sound made her heart flood with such happiness and love for him that she knew he’d shut down if he ever sensed it. Clamping down on her reaction, she glared at him and grabbed her own hose.
It was all out war. By the time they were done, they were both covered in water and soap suds and wet dog smell. Sierra was laughing so hard her sides hurt. The room was a disaster.
“I think I’m going to have to pay the maintenance staff a little extra to get this room back to rights,” she said as she calmed herself down and finished rinsing Miller.
“Who are we going to pay to get ourselves back to rights?” Evan wondered. “We have to walk through the lobby looking like this.”
Knowing she had piles of foam clinging to her head and running down the sides of her face, she blinked innocently. “Looking like what?”
He snorted out another laugh and shook his head as he dried Beck. She couldn’t stop smiling. Eventually, they got themselves and the dogs presentable enough to parade out of the dog baths.
Sierra’s cell buzzed in her shorts pocket as they crossed the lobby. She checked the text on the screen.
“Huh. That’s weird.”
“What is?” he asked.
“Bastian just texted and said the shoot tomorrow has been moved to noon.”
“And that’s unusual?”
“He doesn’t text much. He must be somewhere that he can’t use the phone.”
Shrugging it off, she texted him back to confirm, then put her cell back in her pocket as Evan entered his code into the elevator. Within a minute, they reached her apartment.
“Just so you know,” he said, “I’m officially offering my services in case you need help getting yourself back to rights.”
“Are you? That’s very neighborly of you.”
“I think I’m starting to get the hang of this neighborly thing.”
“It would seem so. Sadly, since your suggestion would lead to at least one entire day of hot sex and you have company coming, I’ll have to take a rain check.”
“I’ve cancelled on Cole before. I think he’s getting used to it.”
“Alas, I can’t afford the sex-a-thon distraction today with the big shoot to prep for. You’ll have to work on your timing, neighbor.”
“Damn. Well, can’t say I didn’t try.”
“That you did. And if I didn’t have flea shampoo clinging to my lips right now, I’d offer to at least kiss you goodbye.”
“Ouch. The double strikeout.”
“How about a sodden hug?”
“Well, I can’t go oh-for-three,” he said, lifting the arm that wasn’t holding the wagon handle.
She stepped forward and gave him a prolonged squeeze. When she leaned back, she took a moment to appreciate the humor in his dark blue eyes.
“Next time, I hope we both smell a whole lot better,” she said. “Have a nice afternoon, Evan.”
“You, too, Sierra. Don’t forget my offer. Consider it open-ended.”
She smiled and walked into her apartment. Once she closed the door, she leaned against it and briefly closed her eyes. Evan had openly flirted with her. He’d acted boyishly and impulsively.
He’d laughed.
Progress. Sweet progress.
Chapter 25
“Your ass is toast, Parker.”
“Not after I slaughter yours, Dorsey.”
They were firmly enmeshed in the latest Call of Duty. They’d been gaming for hours. Evan couldn’t remember the last time he’d spent this much time with a controller in his hands. Probably back in high school, sitting in Cole’s living room. He imagined he’d pay for it tomorrow with hand and shoulder cramps, but he didn’t care.
“Yeah…come to papa,” he said, aiming his scope.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, signaling the arrival of their pizza. Distracted, Evan took a lethal shot. He glowered at Cole, who grinned.
“Sucker.”
“You could at least act remorseful over shooting one of your best mates, you sadistic bastard,” Evan said as he paused the game.
“I’ll light a candle for you.”
“Asshole.”
“Sore loser.”
Rising from the sofa, Evan pulled money out of his wallet and set it on the counter for the easy grab, then snagged a couple of beers from the fridge. Not wanting to deal with cleaning plates, he ripped off a couple of paper towels and carried them into the family room with the beers. They would just eat over the box like any rational human beings.
A few minutes later, they did just that. Evan put on ESPN while they ate.
“Golf?” Cole said around a bite of sausage and pepperoni. “That’s serio
usly all that’s on?”
“Unless you want to get sucked into a baseball game, yeah.”
Cole rolled his eyes. His gaze fell on the two pictures of Miller and Beck.
“I meant to tell you, I like the photos. Did you hire Sierra to do them?”
Keeping his eyes on the television, Evan said, “No. I just came home one day and she’d painted the damn wall and hung those up.”
“Oh.”
They continued eating, but Evan knew his friend. There was no way that was the end of it. Three…two…
“That was nice of her,” Cole said. “Does she come over here a lot?”
“More than I’d like,” Evan muttered, suddenly feeling defensive.
“What was that?”
Swallowing his bite of pizza, Evan waved at the photos. “Don’t you think it’s strange that she did that? She’s bought me groceries, too, but doesn’t expect me to pay for them. She takes care of my dogs like they’re hers. And when we were at the barbecue yesterday, she kept bringing me beer and food and stuff.”
“Barbecue?”
Evan took a drink. “Don’t ask.”
“I like barbecues. What?” Cole shrugged when Evan shot him a look. “I’m just saying. You could’ve invited us.”
Should he have extended an invitation? Damn it. He wasn’t cut out for this. What had he been thinking, letting Sierra convince him otherwise?
“So basically, you’re saying Sierra is too nice,” Cole summed up.
“Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m saying.”
He knew he sounded like a moron. What guy said he didn’t like a woman because she was too nice? How could he possibly convey that she made him feel and think things he didn’t want to feel and think?
Sullen, he threw his crusts back into the pizza box and pretended to care about what was happening on the television. Cole finished his pizza and tossed back his beer.
“You ready for me to shoot your ass again?” he asked.
In response, Evan picked up the remote to turn the game back on. Sometimes, it was good to be with someone who understood you without having to say it in words.
* * *
Sierra worked the rest of that afternoon and evening tackling the tasks she had mentioned to Evan. She scheduled several portrait sessions for the coming weeks, did some editing and uploading of her stock images, paid some bills, and got to work typing out ideas for the Brinkman shoot the next day.
