“Shanti!” Evie grabbed her by the wrist. She dragged her to the narrow alleyway between the house and the fence.
“Really?” Evie said. “You’re happy for me? You are supposed to talk sense into me!”
“No, I should have talked sense into you back when we were in school and it was obvious that Bryson was so much better for you than Cameron. I had only known you for a couple of years back then and didn’t feel comfortable putting my nose in your business, but here it is,” Ashanti said, pointing to her nose. “I’ve known you long enough to get all up into your business now, and I’m telling you that this is a good thing.”
“But what if it isn’t?” Evie asked.
“Wait? So the sex isn’t good?”
“No!” Evie yelled. She looked around, even though she doubted anyone could hear her above the pandemonium happening around the carnival. “The sex is amazing,” she said. “Like the most amazing I’ve ever had.”
Ashanti closed her eyes, a blissful smile breaking out across her face. “I knew it,” she said. “You can tell just by looking at him.”
“Shanti, would you be serious for even one second? I need advice here.”
“About what?”
“About what?” Evie’s brows shot up. “About this! About what I’m doing with Bryson.”
“Well, Thad and I haven’t been together that long, but I can give you some pointers.”
Evie groaned up at the sky. “Can youpleasebe serious?”
“I would if I thoughtyouwere being serious. What kind of advice are you looking for me to provide?”
“You can tell me if I’m in over my head,” Evie said. “Or if I’m moving too quickly. What if this is just a rebound? I can’t possibly be ready to jump into a real relationship so soon after ending such a long one with Cameron, can I?”
“Wait, we’re talking relationship? It’s not just sex?” Ashanti shook her head. “No, of course it’s not just sex. The two of you have always had too much chemistry to do the random hookup thing.”
“What do you even know about our chemistry?”
“Um, because I was there, Ev. That summer you were with Bryson was the happiest I’ve ever seen you.” Ashanti’s eyes narrowed. “Is there more going on?”
Evie knew she’d made a mistake when she looked away. A quick glance, but that’s all it took.
Ashanti pounced. “There is! What are you not telling me?”
“Nothing,” Evie said. “And even if there was more, I am not discussing it in the middle of a doggy carnival.”
Ashanti leaned in close and whispered, “Torture chamber. Give me the full story or you get the torture chamber. There will be spiders.”
“Goodness, you’re annoying,” Evie said. She blew out a breath. “We’ll talk about it tonight at Ridley’s.”
“Fine,” Ashanti said. “It’ll help with Rid’s salty mood. You know how she gets on her birthday.”
“I plan on plying her with liquor and sweets,” Evie said.
“The Imperial March” fromStar Warsstarted playing.
“That’s Kara,” Ashanti said, plucking her phone from her back pocket. “Why are you calling me when we’re in the same place?” She waited a beat, then said, “Oh shit.”
“What’s wrong?” Evie asked.
“There’s been an incident at the dunk tank.” She pointed two fingers at her own eyes, then at Evie. “Remember, I want to know everything.”
By the time they arrived at the dunk tank, Thad had taken care of the squabble between two Labrador retrievers and their owners. Evie checked in with Kendra, and once she’d made sure she was good at the Guess the Number of Dog Treats booth, she went to help with the photo booth.
The crowd continued to spend money like it was falling from the sky. By the time the carnival was over, they had taken in nearly eight thousand dollars for The Sanctuary.
