We agreed on no feelings.That wasmyrule, and I broke it.Now how do I tell her I’m possibly in love with her, without her tossing my ass out the front door?
Okay, maybe she won’t toss me out.But there’s no way she feels the same way.I know she cares about me—when you’re glued together all the time, it’s sort of impossible not to—but caring and wanting a real relationship are two different things.
How do I convince her she needs me?That I’m good for her?
I take a sip of coffee, trying to think.
Eve likes money, so I could get her gifts.But she’s the kind who would rather buy herself jewelry than get it from a man.I know she likes flowers.But what else?There are some paintings she was eyeing at that gallery last week, but I doubt she’d like me to get them for her.She enjoys budgeting for them and buying them herself.She probably has a goddamn spreadsheet for it.
Why is this woman so impossible?She won’t let me do any of the normal boyfriend things.Won’t let me spoil her.Won’t let me take care of her the way I want to.She’s so determined to be independent, so convinced she doesn’t need anyone, that I don’t know how to break through.
And the worst part?That’s exactly what I love about her.Her stubbornness.Her pride.The way she refuses to rely on anyone but herself.
God, I'm screwed.
My phone rings, cutting through my thoughts.Megan’s name flashes on the screen.I answer with, “Oh, so now you’re talking to me?”
“Shut up,” she snaps, but there’s something off in her voice.Tight.Worried.
My gut clenches.“What’s wrong?”
“I found out you went to jail last night.”
I set my coffee down.“I’m fine.It was nothing.”
“I know.Jake told me.”There’s a pause, and I can practically hear her working up to something.“Is Eve okay?”
I glance toward the bedroom, lowering my voice.“Yeah.She’s still sleeping.”
I move back to the bedroom doorway, peering in to make sure.Eve’s curled on her side, one hand tucked under her pillow now, her dark hair spread across the white sheets.Something in my chest tightens at the sight of her there, in her bed, looking peaceful for once.
I close the door down and lean against the wall.“So what are you up to these days?”
“Why?”Megan’s tone turns suspicious.“Do you want to scare off another boyfriend of mine?”
I’m about to fire back with something sarcastic when I hear it—a voice in the background.A male voice.Afamiliarmale voice.
“Coffee’s ready, Meg.”
My entire body goes rigid.“Is that Derrick Holt?”
Silence on the other end.
“Megan.”My voice comes out harder than I intend.“Where are you?”
“None of your business.”
“Tell me right now, or I’m calling Ethan and he’ll find out.”
She sighs, annoyed.“Fine.Jesus.I got in a little trouble last night, and Derrick helped me out of it, okay?I’m at his place.”
“What kind of trouble?”My free hand curls into a fist.Derrick Holt is the deputy police commissioner and one of Ethan’s friends.The guy never dates, barely even talks to women outside of work.So what the hell is Megan doing at his place?
“Someone tried to break into my apartment last night.”Her voice goes quieter, reluctant.
Everything in me goes cold.“A break-in?”
“It’s fine, Caleb.There have been a few break-ins in my neighborhood recently.I came home and found the door open.I was calling Ethan, but I was a little drunk and accidentally called Derrick instead.”She pauses.“He came and got me.”
