“Well, hello to you, Emmanuel. Gee, why don’t you come right on in. Can I expect the rest of yourentourage to drop by too? I don’t think I have enough tea for everyone,” Rachel snarks at me.
I glare at her. “You’re a surgeon. I’m sure you know just how quickly a tongue can be removed from someone’s mouth.”
“Sure, threaten the best friend. That’s how the villain ends up with the girl in all the stories.” Rachel rolls her eyes at me—fucking rolls her eyes—and then slams the door behind us. “Evie, your boyfriend’s here!” she yells out through the house.
“I don’t have a boyfri…” Evie’s words stop when she sees me enter the living room. “E, what are you doing here?”
“Please finish that sentence, mi alma.” I tilt my head to the side.
Evie stands, walks right up to me, and presses up on her tiptoes to glare in my face. “I don’t have a boyfriend.”
My hand cups the back of her neck and my lips claim hers. My tongue pushes into her mouth, circling around.Fuck, I missed her.
When I pull away, I keep my hold on her. “You do have a boyfriend, Evie,” I remind her.
“What I have is an obsessed stalker with psychotic tendencies. That is not a boyfriend. A boyfriend is someone who takes me out on dates,brings me dancing. Not someone who installs cameras in my house and watches my every move.”
“We can agree to disagree. It doesn’t change the fact that you’re mine,” I say. “Get your things. We’re leaving.”
“Um, where on earth do you think you’re taking me?” Evie steps back, quickly folding her arms over her chest.
“Your house. I’m sure Rachel has better shows she can watch than the one you and I are giving her right now.” I look to her friend, who hasn’t left the room.
“I’m sorry, Rach,” Evie tells her.
“Don’t be. This is entertaining.” Rachel shrugs.
“I’ll call you tomorrow. Thank you for your help with the insurance company and everything.” Evie hugs her friend, whispering something into her ear that I don’t catch.
I wait for Evie to pick up her bag, and then I take hold of her hand. “Thanks for taking care of her, Rachel.” I nod and lead my girl out of the house.
“Paz, how are you? Sorry you got dragged back here.” Evie smiles at my second-in-command. I’m not sure I like the friendship these two have developed.
“Miss Carter, it’s not a problem at all. Sorry to hear about your store.” Paz nods politely before climbing into the driver’s seat.
Evie and I climb into the back. Once she’s settled, I lean over and whisper into her ear, “I missed you.”
“It’s been three days,” she states.
“And?”
“You need help.” She shakes her head but smiles at me. “So do I, apparently, because my first thought when I saw you was relief that you came.”
“I will always come when you need me,” I tell her.
Evie wants to be wined and dined, and I’ve been fucking shit at giving her that. I’m going to change it right now. I take out my phone, search for five-star restaurants on Google, and make a reservation for tonight. I want to take her out. I want to show her that I can be that guy. The one who listens and gives her what she asks for.
“We’re going out tonight. I’ve made a reservation for dinner,” I tell Evie.
“Really? Where? And what if I don’t want to go on a date with you?” She lifts a questioning brow at me.
“You do. And it’s a surprise,” I say.
“You know, your ego is too big for your own good. You’re not as hot as you think you are, Emmanuel.” She smirks.
“I only need to be as hot asyouthink I am, mi alma. I don’t care what anyone else thinks.”
“Guess we should book a plastic surgeon then. 'Cause, honestly, you could use some work.” She laughs.
