“Maybe a manager can be of more assistance,” she suggested.
“Damn it, Evie. We were friends.”
“We were.” She folded her hands at her waist to keep them still while she waited for whatever he had to say.
“I’d like to reconnect.” His gaze turned intense and she had the feeling she was supposed to parse out some meaning in what hewasn’tsaying. “At least let me buy you a coffee?”
“No, thank you.”
His nostrils flared and his gaze narrowed. “I deserve that.”
And more. She smiled when she wanted to snarl. “You deserve the best experience possible at the?—”
“Please don’t say it.” He tucked his hands into his pockets, that blue gaze slicing right through her. “You’re at work, I respect that.” He glanced over her head, scanning the rows of slot machines.
Old habits, she supposed. At least now he was old enough to be in here legally to look around. His mom had been gone at least three years now. There had been an obituary in the paper and a graveside service. Evelyn hadn’t attended the service, but she’d sent a sympathy card and a donation from Cottonwood Adventures.
“When are you off?”
“I’m afraid it’s all hands on deck through the storm,” she said. It might be true, but she wouldn’t know for sure until she actually got to the breakroom. As much as she didn’t want to deal with six feet or more of snow, she could use the extra shifts.
“You expect me to believe you’re working straight through for the next three days.”
“That’s right.” She dared him to contradict her. “Minimum.”
“I see.” He rocked back on his heels. “Sounds like an abuse of the work force. Maybe I should call it in.”
“Is that what you do now? Go around causing trouble for happy casino employees?”
“You’re not happy here,” he stated with too much confidence.
Her chin lifted. She wasn’tunhappyhere and she didn’t owe him any explanations about why dealing poker was an important part of her life. “My happiness isn’t your concern anymore.” She pushed the words through her clenched teeth and tight smile.
He reeled as if she’d slapped him. If only. Maybe she should agree to meet him somewhere. It would have to be somewhere outside and well off the established trails where she could finally let loose with all the pain-filled words and hateful thoughts she’d aimed his way through the years.
That bubble of old hurt and anger swelled in her chest and it took every ounce of willpower to keep her temper locked down while they were in public. At last, the bubble popped, leaving her weary with herself and with him. She was over Wyatt. It had been eleven years. What kind of loser would still be so desperately hung up on a high school boyfriend?
“If you’ll excuse me.”
“Come with me.” Again his gaze swept the area behind her.
“No, thank you.” If she didn’t know better, she’d think he was part of the casino security team. Whatever he was looking for was none of her business. They weren’t a couple anymore. “I really need to take what’s left of my break.”
His eyes locked with hers. “Evie, please.”
A piece of her heart lurched toward him, hammering against the walls she’d built to protect herself. “I can’t,” she repeated, managing not to rub the pain in her breastbone. “If you’re only here because of me, you need to go.”
She turned on her heel and strode toward the employees-only door. As if he didn’t matter at all.
Once she was through and out of his reach, she leaned against the cool wall. She’d expected walking away from him to feel better. Instead, she wanted to curl up in a corner and cry. Or run back into his arms. Would his embrace be familiar or different? She couldn’t deny he’d changed. Grown. Matured. All those things she’d thought she’d done too.
The door swung open as one of her coworkers walked through and she peeked out, startled to see Wyatt still standing there. Almost as if he was keeping watch or waiting for her.
Absurd. He’d leave. He’d go back to the tables. When it came to leaving her behind, Wyatt was a pro.
2
Wyatt waited by the door after Evie slipped away from him. His fingers twitched, recalling the silk of her long auburn hair. She’d worn it down tonight, the glossy waves brushing her shoulders. The sight tempted him. He couldn’t leave her alone, though she clearly wanted him out of the casino and her life, relegated to some dusty old box in the corner of her mind where she never had to look at him again.
