His smile. God, his smile. Heath could forgive Evan anything when he looked at him with such unrepentant mischief. “C’mon, you kind of are.”
“Better than petty and vengeful.”
“That’s why we make a good duo. I get angry, you formulate a foolproof plan…”
Christian cleared his throat, a smile hiding behind his cupped hand. “When Lucy canceled her flight, I moved you tothe seat next to Evan, figuring you could get to know each other a bit before arriving.”
Heath looked at Evan, who coughed and shook his head vigorously. “We became acquainted alright, though not asintimatelyas you might have hoped.”
Everyone exchanged furrowed brows and frowns, their confusion amplified by Evan’s choking laughter as he quietly cussed Heath out under his breath. Damn him for being such a charming asshole.
“The problem was the resort,” Lucy admitted with a sigh. “I knew they rarely accepted solos, and their calendar was booked solid for those weeks, so we had to gamble on whether you’d decide to split the place or pack it in and come home.”
Were Heath a different person, he might have pointed out they’d done a bit of both, but that was crude and juvenile and exactly why Evan was now laughing harder. He had no doubt.
“You are a child,” Isabella whispered at Evan, though she too was chuckling.
“I didn’t realize we had such a reputation for casting people out for daring to be single.” Olivia bristled. “Wehavemade accommodations, you know.”
Lucy’s lips pursed into a smile. “You might want to read your reviews sometime.”
Heath flapped his hands, the conversation’s lighthearted turn sending him into a spiral of disbelief. He’d almost forgotten how angry he was. “You do realize you’re all utter shits for doing this?”
Evan scooted up next to him and cast him a sidelong glance, a small smile sneaking onto his face as he purposely bumped his shoulder. It was hislighten upnudge, and the contact sent an electric current down Heath’s spine. The look in his eyes spread that tingle outward until every hair on his body stood on end.
“He’s right, the only reason I’m not in a rage right now is because your gamble paid off.”
Lucy looked smug and Christian relieved. Heath wanted to throw tomatoes at the both of them.
“In that we got along,” he clarified, ignoring the jagged pain in his stomach at Evan’s chastised and disappointed expression. “An actual friendship remains to be seen.”
He couldn’t let himself forget why he’d pushed Evan away in the first place. It wasn’t only his daddy issues, though they played a significant role. There was also the fear of giving his heart to someone who’d no doubt grow bored of quiet nights on the couch with Thai food and a movie.
That was his speed, old man slippers and tea, or cups of hot chocolate with marshmallows while snow blanketed the yard. Not fancy galas and private islands. Or expensive cars, designer clothes, and watches worth the equivalent of his mortgage.
The lifestyle Evan was destined to lead wasn’t what Heath wanted, and no matter how badly he wished it were otherwise, the reality was it would never work between them. He needed to remind himself of that until it stuck.
Olivia cleared her throat and approached the door. “We should get back to the evening. There are a couple of pieces in the silent auction I’ve been admiring, and I suspect I’m not alone.”
Lucy narrowed her eyes. “If it’s what I think it is, then yes, you have some competition.”
Olivia’s smile was a thing of beauty, quick and sharp. “Bring it.”
chapter 36
. . .
Evan tapped Lucy’s shoulder as she approached the door on his brother’s arm. “I still have questions.”
She nodded, patting Chris’ arm comfortingly. “Come find me when you’re done.”
They looked good together. Relaxed and happy. She’d never looked that naturally laid back with him ever, but he’d love to know why she hadn’t walkedbeforemaking him look like a bigger asshole than people already thought he was.
The room emptied, with the exception of Heath, who hung back in his corner, looking fragile and stunned.
“I just want to talk for a minute.”
“Okay. Talk.”
