The irony that he was the one complaining about not seeing them when it had been the other way around for so many years was not lost on him.
“How long is this upcoming cruise?” Bryson asked.
“Only seven days,” she said. “Look at it this way. It will give you more time to make your new place presentable.”
“What makes you think my new place isn’t already presentable?”
He gave the open-concept kitchen and living room a quick glance. Save for his sofa and a coffee table his neighbor two doors down had offered after their college-aged son returned home with excess furniture, the space was bare. His own furniture was scheduled to be delivered from Raleigh on Thursday, but maybe he could pick up some decor when he shopped for plates and glasses. He could use a vase, maybe a few paintings. And a rug. A rug would be good.
“Fine,” Bryson said. “But please let this be the last time you cancel, Mama. Being able to see you and Pop on a regular basis was the biggest factor in my moving here.”
“We’re not canceling, just postponing,” she said. “Now, tell me, how are you liking your new apartment?”
He looked out the window again and grinned.
“I’m loving it,” he said. “And it’s a condo, not an apartment. It’s my home.”
“Homes have yards.”
“Why are you so bullheaded?”
“Because I’ve earned the right to be,” his mother said. “I need to go. I refuse to have my picture taken on formal night in that same green dress. I told your father since we’re getting the cruise for such a cheap price, he can afford to buy me a new gown. I’ll talk to you later, honey.”
“Talk to you later,” Bryson said. “I love you, Ma. Tell Pop he owes me a phone call.”
“You know that man hates talking on the phone.”
“Too bad. I can’t manage to see you two in person, so a phone call will have to do.”
Just as he ended the call with his mother, a text from Evie popped up. The enormity of the smile that stretched across his face at the sight of her name on his phone was embarrassing as hell. It’s a good thing Bella was the only one here to witness it.
“Don’t tell anyone how infatuated I am, Bells. Keep this between you and me.”
Bella didn’t bother to respond.
Bryson tapped on Evie’s message. It was a link to a website.
“Whoa,” Bryson said when he clicked on it. He sent her a text.
Nice work!
A few moments crept by before she responded.
Right? But I can’t take credit.The three dots appeared, then,Can you talk?
Bryson immediately called, because apparently, displaying even a drop of chill when it came to her was beyond his capabilities.
“So, who deserves the credit for the website?” Bryson asked when the call connected. “It’s awesome.”
“That would be Ashanti’s younger sister, Kara. She put that together in a single afternoon.”
“Damn. Even more impressive.”
“I know! Hello, by the way,” Evie said. “Sorry for disturbing you with what’s essentially work on a Sunday afternoon. Ipromise not to blow up your phone with texts the entire time we’re working on this project.”
“For future reference, you can text me at any time, Evie. And for any reason. It doesn’t have to be about The Sanctuary.”
He considered buffering his statement with a platonic qualifier, likeThat’s what friends do, but decided to let it stand. She could interpret his words however she wished.
