Once all the orders were filled, I went back over to their table and sat in my chair. “So, any questions?”
Briar rattled off her first one about cellular structure. Grabbing a piece of Briar’s paper, I drew her the cell and the corresponding bacterial system.
“What about foundational support of single cell approach for antibiotic action resistance?”
“You mean like this?” I asked, clicking through my phone to find another video that explained the resistance. “I have to help with the customers. I’ll be back.”
Briar and Abbi stayed for the next two hours. I had to get up and serve more customers while Briar struggled through a second, then third video I’d found. Finally, she shut her notebook, her smile triumphant.
“I get it!” She laughed. “I actually understand the concepts. Thank you, Evie.”
She leaned over and hugged me. I patted her back, trying not to stiffen in her arms. Touchy-feely stuff reminded me way too much of my almost-gang days.
“You’re an absolute godsend. And better than any tutor I’ve ever had before.”
I doubted that, but I smiled, pleased I’d been able to help.
“So what’s your plan once you receive your diploma?” Briar asked.
“I’ve had a job offer from a small school near Los Angeles, but I still have to go through my defense and get all the members of my committee to sign off on the research.”
“You want to work in a lab?” Briar asked.
I shrugged. “I used to think so. But then I won’t be able to use my psychology background, and I like the counseling, too.”
Briar squinted. “You enjoy both aspects? Working with people but also analyzing cells and foreign body interactions?”
“Yes, that’s why I went interdisciplinary. But finding that kind of job is tougher than that needle and haystack cliché.”
Briar smirked. “If you’re interested in sticking around Seattle, I may know of a position. It’s still getting sorted out, and I’m not guaranteeing anything right now.”
I spread my hands. “My best prospect right now is this place, especially now that I want to be near Paige.”
“Hey,” Kai said.
The man I hadn’t seen since I left him in my bed this morning to run up to the lab to perform another round of analysis on my data. If I wasn’t so worried about Dr. Neince’s continual desire to make me redo experiments, I’d have sought Kai out to see if he still wanted to go through with our fake engagement. I shouldn’t crave seeing Kai, not like this.
I glanced at the clock as I ignored the lovesick need building in my chest. Another two hours on my shift, then I was going to visit Paige, and then I’d need to spend a couple of hours wading through my revisions.
Agreeing to be his fake fiancée was the worst decision I’d made—which was saying something, because I’d made a slew of bad choices at the age of sixteen.
I whirled around, nearly spilling the perfect cappuccino I’d made. A flush bloomed on my cheeks and wrapped around my neck.
“Um, hi. You just missed Abbi and her aunt.”
“I came to see you.”
I handed the customer whose order I just made her cup, but had to wait for her to move away from the counter. It was like I was Medusa and had turned her to stone, she was standing there so still. It took me a second to realize her eyes were locked on Kai.
Kai cleared his throat and nodded down to her drink. She flashed him a smile, then a sultrier come-hither look. All of which he pointedly ignored until she finally walked away. I bit the inside of my lip to keep from smiling again.
“How are you?”
“Good. I slept better last night than I have in months. We still on to see Paige later?”
I nodded, trying to get my heart out of my throat. Why had I fallen for him? I was supposed to be smarter than this. A younger man? So freaking cliché. He smiled a little, which made his one dimple flash through his days’ old scruff.
“What time does your shift end?”
“At six, so a little over an hour and a half.”
“Cool. I’ll be here then. Maybe we can hit the playroom.”
I smirked. “Looking for a rematch?”
“You know it. Who would have thought you were such a Monopoly mogul?”
“You’re on,” I said.
Kai leaned his elbows on the counter. Good thing no one was behind him. Otherwise they’d get a tantalizing view of his backside.
“I’ve been thinking about you today,” he said. He kept his voice soft. It was almost a caress, his concern for me drifting over my skin.
Two girls stopped outside the shop, ogling Kai’s rear. I fought the oncoming flush of jealousy I had no right to feel. The girls entered, eyes still firmly on Kai’s butt. “I thought I was supposed to be the girl of your dreams,” I quipped.
“You’re the girl who helped me sleep. Right now, I think that deserves a medal and just about anything else you can name.”
“Pho?” I said. Okay, I moaned it. I’d been craving a good bowl all day. I’d woken late and been too busy to break for lunch.
Kai threw his head back and laughed. One of those deep belly laughs. People turned to look at him, many of the girls eating him up with greedy bites of their all-too-knowing eyes.
“I can’t believe the way you said that—all breathy like a sex call.”
And…the blush was back. “I wouldn’t know about those, but I do know I might have to commit a serious crime for a huge bowl of pho.”
Kai leaned in farther so that his breath caressed my cheek. “You let me sleep in your bed again, and I’ll bring you back enough of the stuff to bathe in.”
I stepped back. My hands shook so I turned away. After pouring a coffee, I handed him the to-go cup with a smile. “Of course you’re welcome to stay.” I swallowed, forcing my eyes back to his, needing him to see the sincerity there. I moved in closer so the girls behind him wouldn’t hear. “I slept way better with you there, too. And, anyway, you proposed.” My stomach fluttered with the words.
“Right. That’s the other reason I came by.”
“It—it is?”
He pulled out a ring from his pocket and my jaw dropped as the many brilliant-cut diamonds surrounding the large emerald-cut sapphire sparkled in the light.
“No. This is too much,” I gasped.
“I didn’t buy it,” he said, frowning. He slipped it on my finger. “It was my grandmother’s. The only item I’d received from my dad’s family. I had to go to the bank and get it from the safety deposit box. It looks great on you. I can’t believe it’s the right size.”
“Are you sure this is smart?” I asked, mesmerized by the round, three-carat stone’s internal fire.
“Our engagement gets us what we want most: Paige’s safety and happiness. So, yes, I’m sure I can be your fiancé for a few weeks. Or months.”
My throat clogged with both fear and disappointment. He’d argued a logical approach to a completely illogical dilemma. We didn’t have to get married. So why did I feel so bereft? Before I managed to find my voice, let alone my equilibrium, Kai picked up my hand and pressed a kiss to my palm. He saluted me with the coffee cup and disappeared.
“What did you do to get so lucky?” One of the girls said. She was tall, thin, and had the kind of red hair that could only come from a bottle. The color was good for her, but her sneer wasn’t attractive. “You’re engaged?” She gasped.
Oh my good golly. I was engaged to Kai Luchia. Didn’t matter the reasons. Part of me was jumping up and down with joy. Thankfully, not the physical part. That might be embarrassing later when everyone found out why we’d set up this charade.
“No fair,” the girl whined. “You’re the first girl he’s shown interest in since that Jenna chick left last year.”
I stood straighter and forced a beaming smile back. I wasn’t answering that question, though it would probably be all over campus by tonight. Whatever. I was a big girl and could handle the jealous and
snide comments. “What’s your order?”
She stared out the window, her eyes greedy for one last look as Kai moved out of sight. “Nothing now.”
“Girl, he never would’ve been into you,” Nessa said, elbowing the leggy redhead out of the way. “He likes real women like our Evie.” Nessa stared the girl down until she huffed and left. “That gets so old. Now, will you please make me a mocha? Stat. Heavy on the chocolate and espresso.”
“One of those days?”
Nessa sighed gustily. “You wouldn’t believe me if I tried to tell you. What the hell is that?” Nessa gasped, staring at the ring on my finger.
“Um…well…” I tipped my head toward Henry, and he moved to the cash register, taking the next drink order. I shuffled down the bar to prepare Nessa’s drink.
Nessa narrowed her eyes. She looked like a cat getting ready to pounce. “Really?” She dragged out the word. “You’re engaged? Let me see that ring.”
I held up my hand and she whistled softly, as entranced by the blue sparkle as I’d been—was. The ring was gorgeous. And heavy. The weight of our deception grew with each heartbeat.
“Yes. But it’s not like you think. We’re not actually getting married.” I swallowed hard as the lie stuck in my throat. “It’s so we can adopt Paige. Keep her away from that couple who wants her.”
Nessa cocked her head, her index finger pressed to her lips. “Is it true? Are you sleeping with Kai?”
“As in falling asleep in the same bed? Yes.”
I finished steaming the milk for Nessa’s drink. Maybe if I kept my mouth shut, Nessa would drop the subject. I concentrated on squirting in a thick stream of chocolate syrup into the large to-go cup.
“You and Kai?” Nessa’s smile was huge. “Oh, this is so great!”
“Why?
“Oh. Right! You sidetracked me with your big news. Jenna called me a while ago. My BFF and former roommate? The one who ate all those chocolates laced with GHB.”
I nodded, my stomach dropping. Her name and Kai’s had been linked together last year, often.
“The plea deal fell through. That means Jenna’s going to have to come back to Seattle to testify in the trial.”
“That’s horrible,” I said.
Nessa splayed her hands on the counter and leaned forward, much like Kai had done before. “Wait! You know there was never anything between Jen and Kai, right? She wasn’t into him. At all. She’s got some guy back in Austin. Or did.” Nessa waved her hand. “That shit’s complicated. Bottom line: Kai and Jen were never an item.” She grinned. “But you are! This is so exciting.”
I topped the whipped cream with more chocolate syrup before handing the cup to her. I wasn’t sure how to answer her because I wasn’t sure what Kai and I were, really. “Hope it helps.”
She licked the whipped cream and chocolate. “Oh, yeah.” She sighed with pleasure. “Just what I needed. Want to hang out with me and Abbi tomorrow? We have to help you plan your wedding.” She jumped up and down, grinning.
“It’s not—”
“It totally is. And you’re coming over.” Nessa smiled. “We’re doing facials. I’ll buy some bridal magazines, too.”
I swallowed hard. So not my thing—any of it. I was a scientist and a workaholic with one of the most packed schedules of anyone I knew. In fact, I was the only PhD. candidate who was also a TA and worked an additional thirty-hour-a-week job. Ask before you leap, Evie. Always ask first.
“Great,” I said on a sigh.
“You’ll have fun.” Nessa snapped on a lid and pinned me with her hard stare. “Tell me your favorite treat and I’ll pick it up.”
“Fudge brownies,” I said. “But I’ll bring some. Marilyn always makes me extras on Friday.”
Nessa raised an eyebrow. “I should’ve been hanging out with you for the last few years. Seven. Don’t be late. Abbi and I have a lot of questions for you.”
I gripped the edge of the counter. Just what I needed—an inquisition and more bridal extravaganza I couldn’t handle.
“When are you and Kai getting hitched?” Nessa grinned. “I told Jen and she’s so excited for you both.”
“We’re engaged to adopt Paige,” I explained again. Forcing my jaw to unclamp, I said, “I’m too old for him, anyway.”
“Please. Like three years or whatever is that big of a deal,” Abbi said. “That’s the age difference between Clay and me.”
I didn’t point out that culturally the male being older was acceptable. That would draw attention to me thinking about a relationship with Kai, and I wasn’t ready to take our quiet evening bond public—I feared the fragility of our arrangement wouldn’t withstand the testing.
Between pointed questions about my relationship with Kai, many of which I deflected or didn’t know how to answer, I did have fun with Abbie and Nessa in the form of way too many sweets and lots of laughing. While my patience was close to being fully depleted, my skin was in much better shape after the evening together. Nessa wanted to put cream on my scar. Not that I cared that much about it. I was alive, healthy. Just weeks from walking across the stage to collect my PhD. I frowned. That was the hope, anyway. A thin scar along my hairline wasn’t that big of a deal.
Kai, Clay, and Dane walked into the apartment, laughing. Kai’s eyes widened at the pile of products littering the coffee table. Abbi and Nessa guffawed.
“Nothing to worry about, bro,” Dane said. “They only pull out all this when we’re gone.”
“Now that Kai has Evie, we can allow him in on the intense beauty-regimen secrets,” Nessa said with that same sly grin she’d been flashing all evening.
Time for me to go.
“Thanks for the fun evening,” I said. “I’ll see you both soon.” I hugged Abbi first, then Nessa. She rocked me back and forth. Probably feeling the margaritas she drank. Abbi stuck with sparkling water, smart woman.
“You have anything to drink?” Kai eyed the empty glasses lining the bar.
“A margarita,” I said with a shrug. “And about fifty pounds of junk food to go with it.”
“We were celebrating your engagement!” Nessa crowed. “I’m so freaking excited.”
Kai shook his head, but the corner of his lips flipped up in a smile. “Couldn’t tell.”
I picked up my purse and settled it on my shoulder. Much as I wanted Kai to come home with me again, for our third night of sweet-dream time, I couldn’t ask. Not in front of his friends.
“I’ll drive you,” he said.
I shook my head. “I have my new car.” I smiled, shaking my key ring. “It’s spiffy. Does all kinds of things my old one didn’t. With working locks.”
“I want you and the new car in one piece, which is why I’m driving you,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest. His full lips were pulled tight in annoyance, but his blue-brown eyes sparkled when I sighed.
“That’d be great. I like my new car and want to keep it—and me—in one piece.”
Clay held the door open as we followed him and Abbi toward their condo down the hall.
Abbi smiled and waved as they stopped at their door. “Night, Evie. Talk to you soon.”
Kai and I stood next to each other, waiting for the elevator. The quiet grew as did my awkwardness. I scuffed my toe across the carpet. Kai tugged at his lip. We stepped into the elevator together, turning to face the doors. Once in the parking garage, Kai took my hand and led me to his car, opening my door for me.
“Not my car?”
“Don’t want to mess up your new ride.”
The silence built, tingling across my neck and causing my skin there to itch. Gathering my courage, I turned to face him. “You coming in?”
He tugged at his lower lip again. “You okay with that?”
I nodded. My belly jittered—not just from nerves but from desire. Oh, yes, I wanted Kai in my bed. “Of course.”
Instead of answering me, he grabbed a bag from the back seat. I ducked my head so he wouldn’t see my smile. He’d pack
ed to stay at my place. Packed.
We walked side by side into my apartment, our routine now seeming long-standing. Kai stayed in the main room and locked the doors and checked the windows while I brushed my teeth and washed my face. Once I was settled under the covers with a book, he waltzed into my bathroom. Five minutes later, we lay shoulder to shoulder in bed. I closed my book, setting it on the nightstand and turned off the light.
Turning, I shoved my arm under my pillow and faced him. He stared up at the ceiling, a frown tugging at his dark brows.
“What are you thinking?” I whispered.
His lips quirked as he threw me a side glance. “That you smell really good. That your bed feels better than mine. That I sleep better here, with you, than I have in months. Probably years.” He picked up my left hand and played with my ring. “That you look damn fine in my ring.” He sighed. “That I’m still worried we won’t be able to help Paige and this will all be for nothing.”
My smile trembled as the pleasure from his words burst. He didn’t want me—he wanted to help Paige. I had to keep that reality front and center.
Kai turned to face me, the blue of his eyes dark and solemn. A heaviness filled the space between us—an awareness of how much I wanted to touch him, kiss him. Love him. I cleared my throat, dropping my gaze as he studied my face.
“Would you . . . if it’s not too much trouble . . .”
“What do you need, Evie?”
His voice was deeper, more sensual. Much as I wanted to touch him, I kept my hands squeezed together under the pillow. We were doing this for Paige. Even if Kai was the first man I’d desired in years, I couldn’t push the attraction further. His response to me was already on the knife-edge of rejection. If Kai wanted to change our relationship, he was going to have to tell me so. I might be older, but he was the one with more experience. The right kind of experience.
“Will you sing for me?” Asking for his voice felt intimate, a sharing of art and self we hadn’t progressed to, yet the asking in this moment . . . it felt right.
He brushed my hair back, his fingers lingering just above my scar. “What do you want to hear?”
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