Ever slows his pace, and his posture relaxes. His wide, sleepy eyes blink a few times, and he releases a deep breath. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard that noise come out of a human. You could do voice-over for slasher films.”
Jesse agrees and takes a seat at the picnic table facing me.
I shake my head to clear it and apologize. “Sorry, I was lost in my work. I probably should’ve been on guard out here alone and not had both earbuds in. The quiet felt safe.”
Ever yawns and makes his way to sit next to Jesse directly across from me. They’re both shirtless. I pause a second to take this all in, so I can relay it, in detail, to Lola, because it’s like she wished this moment into existence.
Jesse rests his elbows on the table and clasps his hands, before unclasping them just as quickly and reaching for my empty coffee cup. This man and stillness have never met.
“Where’d you get the coffee? Is it any good? Ever’s decaf is pointless. I need caffeine.”
I tilt my head to the right. “There’s a little convenience store next to the office where we checked in. Coffee’s only a buck, and it’s strong.”
He pushes up from the table. “Sold. That works for me. You guys want anything?”
“Nah, I’ll make some in the van after I shower. Thanks,” Ever says through another yawn.
When Jesse looks at me, I answer, “No, thanks. I’m all good.”
“Right on. I’ll be back in a bit. I need to take a walk if we’re gonna be on the road for a few hours.”
“We leave at ten, with or without you. Don’t get lost,” Ever calls after his retreating form.
Jesse doesn’t turn around, but we hear him laugh good-naturedly as he flashes a middle finger over his head.
When I look at Ever, he’s smiling as he watches him.
“You two always get along this well?” I ask.
Ever shrugs and looks into the distance. “Lately, yeah.” He raps knuckles on the table a few times, and I assume he’s knocking on wood. “The past few weeks have been good for us.” When he turns his head and his eyes meet mine again, he quicklychanges the subject. “You said you were working. I assume on photos. Can I see?”
“Of course.” It will give me an excuse to stop staring at his chest. I turn the laptop so we can both see the screen.
He folds his arms on the tabletop and leans in. He’s an observer, always curious. I like that about him.
Tapping a few keys, I bring up the photos I uploaded from my camera this morning. It’s a minute-by-minute recap of the past twenty-four hours.
His eyes rove over the thumbnail images on the screen as I scroll slowly. I’ll give him an overview before I share my favorites.
“Wow, you were busy yesterday. I had no idea you took so many,” he says.
“I edited a few this morning that I think would be great social media content for you guys. If you still want help with that.”
He runs a hand through his bedhead. “If you’re willing to help us out, that would be awesome. Social media can be a nightmare. I try to avoid it if I can.”
I nod. “I have strong opinions about social media for myself, but looking at it through the lens of promoting and marketing someone else is different. I can cheerlead the hell out of you.”
Ever smiles at that, but he’s still fixed on the screen. “God, you’re incredible,” he says quietly.
That statement, while flattering, was innocent, but I’m blushing because I know damn-well I’ll think about it in a completely different context tonight as I drift off to sleep with my hand inside my panties. I blink a few times to mentally bring myself back.
“Jess looks happy, doesn’t he?” he asks, and I’m not sure if he’s asking for confirmation or for my opinion.
I nod. “He does. Is he? Happy?” I’m not looking for gossip, but I don’t know much about them.
He shrugs one shoulder. “I think last night he was. He hides a lot, but that was Jess truly happy.”
That makes me smile. “I’m glad. What about you?”
