“I enjoy it,” I reluctantly begin to talk about myself. “Like I said, keeps me busy. Maybe even busier if California doesn’t start getting any rain,” I glance up at the sky. “We’ve been having a lot of lightning, and the ground is too dry. Could be a serious problem. But nothing crazy like this character keeps saying.”
I motion towards Rex, annoyed.
Holding up his hands in defense, Rex shrugs. “Just trying to help a brother out.”
He becomes immediately disinterested in the two of us and focuses his attention instead on the conversation building between Trevor and Michael. They’re discussing adding additional security for the upcoming holidays and several special events scheduled to take place at Gatsby’s.
“Help you out with what?” Eva asks. I turn to meet her gaze and wonder if this is the right time to pursue the matter, but figure to hell with it. I saw how quickly my last opportunity was spoiled. It’s time to throw the cards on the table and see what we’re both holding.
“What do you need help with?” she smiles, having to already know the answer to her question. I pause for a moment and take her in. I’ve never been one to half-ass anything. If I’m going to go for it, I’ll be all in.
“You wouldn’t be interested in those details,” I say, trying to buy more time to make sure I’m positive about my decision.
“I don’t know, I’m pretty inclined to like everything about you at this moment,” she says, whispering and leaning in closer. “Try me. You might surprise yourself.”
Eva’s confidence is an unforeseen bonus. It both shocks and turns me on.
“What if I was to say I’m liking everything about you the more I get to know you too?” I whisper back, countering her confidence with some of my own.
I lean in and drown myself in the blue of her eyes. God, I’ll never tire of looking in those eyes. A man can get lost in the depths of the possibilities they evoke.
“I’d say maybe you need to get to know me even better, then,” she says, leaving me thrilled with the ease with which we’re having this conversation.
I was hoping she wouldn’t play hard to get but never anticipated it being this easy.
Without thinking, I open my life up for the first time in a long time and ask, “How about I take you out Friday and do just that? There is nothing I want more than to have you all to myself, Eva. No group. No bar. No friends as distractions.” I brush a strand of her hair out of her eyes and tuck it behind her ear. “Just the two of us, Darlin.”
Our conversation once again becomes whispers intended only for our ears as we lean into one another, attempting to drown out the world. It’s not like I wouldn’t have asked her if everyone was listening. It’s more the idea that privately she’s all mine with no one’s feelings to hurt and no one’s opinion but her own to form her answer.
“I’d like that very much,” she whispers back.
“It’s a date, then?” I ask, wanting to make sure that she knows my intention, and not wanting to leave anything undefined.
“Oh, it most definitely is a date,” she confirms, smiling brightly.
I smile as I ease back into my chair and hold her stare. Last night I felt crushed seeing her flee the bar. The thought that I might never see her again was a nightmare I hadn’t been able to escape all day.
Twenty-four hours ago, I had no desire to ever feel the way Eva makes me feel. Now, I can’t get enough of her. All my ideas about never falling in love again died the moment I saw her sitting at the bar in her parents’ living room.
I don’t want this night to end. I want to stay with her, holding her hand next to the fire as long as I can. The only solace I find in the thought of saying goodnight later is, it’s not goodbye. Sitting next to her on her parents’ back patio, I start to wish the week will pass as fast as possible.
Chapter Ten
Eva
Returning home after Sunday night’s dinner, I collapse on my bed, feeling nothing but pure joy and ecstasy. I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time. Actually, I’m probably happier than I have ever felt ever. I can’t wait until next Friday and find myself giggling over the thought of it while I shower and get ready for bed.
I imagine every possible way Noah might plan our first date. Our first date. The phrase itself makes it impossible to wipe the silliest grin off my face.
We quickly managed to exchange phone numbers before the night was over while Rex was shouting obnoxiously for Noah to drive him home, and now I find myself staring at my phone, wondering if I should text or call him first. I don’t want to seem too excited. When he had asked me out, I was bold, almost egging him on to do it. As I sit cross-legged and stare at the phone in the middle of my lap on my bed, I quickly decide to wait him out in order to see how eager he really is to see me again.
No one ever wants to be that girl. The overly needy one. I’m all for expressing my feelings, but not for seeming too desperate. Picking up the phone, I almost cave, but then decide to stand my ground as I set the phone on my nightstand and crawl under the covers.
On Monday, my week starts off slow. Work at the paper is tedious and uneventful. I find myself sending off emails and contacting people to form the same stories that typically run every week this time of year. I despise writing about upcoming events that the paper always covers. Searching my brain, I try to find something new to add to this edition that will intrigue the readers that doesn’t sound like the crap we did last year, or the year before that.
I decide to write about Gatsby’s. I’ve already contacted the editor at the Auburn Journal and got his approval that he’ll run the set of stories as well. With most of the other towns close by, there are plenty of locals that would be interested in attending Gatsby’s events. Michael comes in Tuesday to give me the details. He never lets Rex handle any publicity for the club, and I can’t say I blame him.
When Wednesday rolls around, I’m still surprised not to have heard from Noah. A funk settles over me as I get to work and turn on my computer. It’s a funk not even a third cup of coffee and blaring rap music on the way to work will cure. The feeling has me slightly jaded, and I realize I might need to scale back my feelings because I’m totally starting to think he is not as into me as I am into him.
