The diner was the start of a long string of big jobs. Evan worked almost seven days a week, but still texted and called all the time. We had only had coffee and lunch dates since he was always working late and up early, but they always ended with mind-blowing kisses that left me wanting to beg for more. I’d been sneaking visits to their office under the pretense of all the extra advertising they’d been doing. Promotional planning for Taylor’s Flooring meant sitting on Evan’s lap and making out like teenagers before anyone came back to their office. It sometimes felt like an illicit affair, and hell if that didn’t make it hotter. I’d become well acquainted with the definition of a ‘lady boner’——as I was sure what I’d been feeling on a regular basis was a bad case of blue balls. I’d never had to actually take a cold shower before Evan.
Me: I miss you, too. I understand. No worries.
Evan: Of course I still worry. I have amazing plans for us soon.
Me: You have me intrigued, Mr. Jacobs.
Evan: Not saying a word. Lips are sealed. That is unless you’re stopping by today. I think we need a new logo. And we need it BAD.
I laughed and stuffed my phone back in my purse.
“Look at the goofy grin. That was Evan, wasn’t it?” Natalie nudged me in the side.
“Yes. That was Evan. To tell me he missed me and wanted me to stop by later. Happy?”
“Does that mean he wants to grope you in the supply closet again?” Ellie smirked at me as she scanned a box of baby bottles.
“Jesus, Jack has a big mouth!” I had never been so mortified in all my life. I was innocently looking for a pencil when Evan had come up behind me and run his tongue up and down the shell of my ear. Jack had come in just as Evan had put his hand under my dress and backed me up against the Post-It shelf.
“Stop it, Paige. I think it’s adorable. You deserve each other, and it’s nice to see you happy.”
“Yeah, yeah. Happy. Wonderful.Supply closet?You have been holding out on me, big fucking time. I knew this would happen.” Natalie plopped down on a glider and rocked back and forth as Ellie moved on to crib sets.
I folded my arms as I glared at her. “Knew what would happen?”
“This is like that cleanse you made us go on when you joined that damn gym. Did she ever tell you about this one, Ellie? For one week we were supposed to drink protein shakes, and in between drink vinegar. I don’t even like that shit on salad and we were drinking it straight. My stomach felt like it was eating itself, and Paige almost passed out from starvation. We lasted three days and ended up at White Castle.”
Ellie held her big belly as she shook from laughter. “You actually drank vinegar?” She scrunched her face at me.
“They said we’d lose ten pounds in one week.”
“And our smart girl here didn’t see what could be wrong with that,” Natalie chuckled and shook her head. “Of course, she caught me at a desperate enough time that I was willing to try. Anyway, you’ve been on a sexual cleanse for over six months. And that man is a White Castle ten-pack.” She leaned back, nodding her head.
“Evan is a White Castle ten-pack? Is that what you just said?”
“Yes, honey. Delicious, but you need to pace yourself. I never had you pegged for public sex. I have to say I’m a little impressed.”
“We weren’t having sex, Natalie. We kissed.”
“With his hand up your dress. So hot.” Ellie pretended to shiver as I groaned with my face in my hands.
“Ellie? I thought that was you!” A tall woman with straight, jet-black hair strutted over to Ellie. She was the only woman in the store wearing a leather mini skirt and six-inch stiletto heels. I assumed she was here for someone else.
“Hi, Jenna. How are you?” Ellie gave her a forced smile. I was surprised since she usually loved everyone, but I could tell this girl rubbed her the wrong way.
“I’m great.” Jenna replied as she twirled the crimson ends of her hair. It was an odd color combination, but Jenna was beautiful. I could live on the climbing machine 24/7 and not have legs and an ass like that. “I heard Evan is back, and he works at Taylor’s Flooring now. I have to go see him.”Fuck.My stomach dropped when I heard her say his name. My intuition said this was an old girlfriend, because that was usually how my luck ran. Why did the universe hate me?
“I wouldn’t bother. I doubt either one would be happy to see you.” Wow. Ellie had her claws out, a first in all the years I’d known her. Evan never really talked about his past relationships, although he knew about most of mine. He did mention a broken engagement, but didn’t want to elaborate.Oh no, she couldn’t be the ex…
“Evan and I were engaged. We were discussing baby names when we lived together in Philadelphia. We have a history that you know nothing about.”
Of course she is.
My insides twisted as though I’d been shot.Bang!I was engaged to Evan.Bang!We lived together.Bang!We were going to have children.Bang!The heartbeat that thundered in my ears made me lightheaded.
“I know plenty, which is also how I know you wouldn’t be welcome. Going to my husband’s office to beg him to speak to Evan on your behalf will never get you anywhere. Besides, Evan has moved on, hasn’t he, Paige?” Ellie cocked an eyebrow at me, making Jenna take a swift turn in my direction.
What were Evan and I? Dating, yes. Exclusive? I never dated more than one man at a time, and didn’t think Evan would see someone else, but did I have a right to stake a claim? I really wasn’t sure, but the way Jenna looked me over pissed me off.
