Evie dropped her fork. Suddenly, she wasn’t hungry anymore.
“So, what you’re saying is, they’re helping me not only out of pity, but because Iris and her crew made them feel obligated.”
Posy gave her a sharp look. “That’s not what I’m saying at all, Evie. They’re grown men. Mom and the others might have given them a slap on the wrist, but anything else was down to them.”
“Not making me feel any better,” Evie said morosely, picking up her fork and absently stirring the remaining noodles.
At least she now knew where their motivation lay, and could stop wondering…
She felt a mix of embarrassment and disillusionment bubbling up inside her, knowing their kind gestures and flirtatious comments were just an act put on to appease the town's busybodies.
“Evie, I really don't think any one of them would have stepped up if they didn’t want to. It’s not like they aren’t busy enough in their own right…”
Evie groaned and slapped her hand over her face. “Oh, cream puffs and pudding! I’m going to have to let them off the hook so they can get to their own priorities. I already had an inkling at the stall earlier that Asher was putting mine before his own.”
“Now hang on a minute. That’s not what I meant!”
"No, I get it," Evie cut her off, pushing away from the table. "They felt sorry for me, and because I got into awkward positions with each of them, they were guilted into saying sorry. But that was all on me, not them.”
Posy stood up, reaching for her friend, but a knock on the door interrupted. “That’ll be Gabe,” Evie said in a monotone as she stared at the open fire she hadn’t gotten around to preparing. The cold ashes mirrored her current mood. “He usually comes over around this time with my favorite hot chocolate, which Shepherd prepares.”
“And that, right there, is what you should be considering, instead of whatever is going on in your head right now,” her friend said softly.
“Gabe doesn’t have to come over every night; he already agreed to help you with your books. Shepherd doesn’t have to send hot chocolate; he’s already helping with your deliveries. Especially since your favorite is a flavor he doesn’t sell, but he makes especially for you. Think about that, Evie. And thinkabout the fact that they didn’t need to do any of this. They could have just apologized and left it at that.”
Posy crossed to the door and let Gabe in. “Hi Gabe, sorry, but I have to run and get Mike since he’s drunk his weight in mulled cider and can’t walk straight. See you again soon.”
With that, she was gone, and Evie busied herself clearing the dishes.
She kept her back turned as she heard Gabe's footsteps enter the kitchen. The familiar scent of rich chocolate and cinnamon wafted through the air, but it did little to lift her spirits. She scrubbed at a plate with more force than necessary, trying to sort through the tangle of emotions threatening to overwhelm her.
"Everything alright?" Gabe's deep voice carried a note of concern.
Evie forced herself to turn, plastering on a smile that felt brittle. "Fine. Just fine. Thanks for bringing the hot chocolate, but you don’t need to keep doing that. You can tell Shepherd I said so, too."
Gabe's brow furrowed as he set the insulated travel mug on the counter. "You don't seem fine. Did something happen?"
His perceptiveness only irritated her further. Evie bit her lip, debating whether to confront him or brush it off. The hurt and embarrassment won out.
“Look, I know why you’re really here, Gabe,” she said, unable to keep the edge from her voice. “I know Marigold and the others guilted you into it. You don't have to keep coming by out of some misplaced sense of obligation."
Surprise flashed across Gabe's face, quickly replaced by something unreadable. He took a step closer, his green eyes intense as they locked onto hers.
"Evie, is that what you think? That I'm here out of obligation?"
His low voice sent an involuntary shiver down her spine. Evie crossed her arms, trying to hold onto her righteous indignation even as doubt crept in.
"Well, aren't you? Posy let slip that Marigold, Iris and Bee had words with you all."
Gabe ran a hand through his hair, a rare gesture of frustration from the usually composed man. "They may have given us a dressing down for upsetting you, but that's not why I'm here,” he told her decisively. “I'm here because I want to be."
He took another step closer. Evie could smell his cologne now, a woodsy scent that made her want to lean in closer. She forced herself to stand her ground.
"I'm here," Gabe continued, his voice dropping to a near whisper, "because I can't stay away from you, Evie.”
Her breath caught in her throat. Surely she had misheard. But Gabe wasn't finished.
"I've wanted to get to know you better. I've wanted to spend time with you since the moment I first saw you in a ridiculous reindeer sweater and humming off-key carols, shortly after I moved back here."
