Sorry to hear that.It wasn’t a big surprise to Evan.His former roommate complained non-stop at times about his folks.
Have you seen any decent apartments for rent nearby?I’ve been scouring the sites but nothing in my price range.Unless you want to go in together again.Just us boys, huh?
Glancing across the table to where Mercedes signed with several newcomers, Evan shook his head.I’m set where I am.She gets out of work before I do and usually has a hot meal on the table that’s ready as soon as I get out of the shower.
Adam threw a leer toward Mercedes.She’s not taking a shower with you?I’d think you’d take advantage of that situation.
We don’t have that kind of relationship.He kept his face neutral, even though he’d love to have that kind of relationship with his roommate.Those weren’t the kind of details he’d ever share with Adam.
I don’t know what you’re waiting for.She’s so hot.I’ve always had an eye for her.I’d be pushing to share her bed as often as she’d let me.
Evan stiffened.I don’t push women to do anything they don’t want to.I have a bit more class than that.
Fine, Adam signed.If you’re not heading in that direction, I may give her a try myself.
Evan wanted to tell his friend to back off and leave Mercedes alone, but it wasn’t his call.Instead, he shrugged.He hoped Mercedes was smart enough to read through the bull Adam dished out if he approached her.He’d always gotten the impression she wasn’t a big fan of his ex-roommate.
His sister, Deanna, wandered over and asked him about a project their dad wanted to do to the family homestead.Evan, as well as the other three siblings, had been pulled into helping in some capacity.As they chatted, he kept watch over the beautiful woman with the golden highlighted curls.Mercedes was so incredibly beautiful, it was no wonder everyone wanted to talk to her.Especially the men in the crowd.
Not all the men.Obviously, Blake only had eyes for Carli, though he worked hard to communicate with everyone.The man’s signing was improving very fast.Brian seemed to be occupied with the woman whose name he needed to learn.Maybe Sue.He’d have to ask his brother later.Adam had been totally blown off.In the nicest way possible, as he’d expected.Mercedes had gushed over Adam’s proposition and thanked him for asking her but turned him down and immediately picked up the conversation she’d been having with the ASL instructor at the community college.
Was the man aware that she was hearing?He hadn’t seen her disclose that fact with anyone, and Evan had been keeping his eye on her for most of the night.Maybe he shouldn’t.She was a big girl after all, but he didn’t want anyone taking advantage of her.He loved that she fit in so well with this crowd.She never put anyone down for their lack of hearing, their jobs, or their education.She treated everyone as equals and was never snobby when hanging with the group.
Yeah, he loved it, because it made him think maybe he had a chance with her.If she could accept and fit into his world, they might be good together.
Who was he kidding?She lived in a world of books, and he rarely opened one.They didn’t have a whole lot in common in that avenue.So he continued to stare while several men flirted and tried to pick her up.The good thing about using sign language was you could pretty much pick up what was going on in other conversations.His take was Mercedes was pleasant to everyone, the flirty men included, but she never encouraged any of them to go any further.That had him breathing a sigh of relief.
When the night wound down, Mercedes returned to his side and smiled at him.“Are you ready to go home?”
He nodded.“Did you have a fun night?You look like you met some new friends.”
“I did.Lots of new people with interesting lives.I’m so glad you suggested I come along.I’d been to a few with Carli, but I’m feeling much more comfortable with the language now.”
Evan laughed.“What are you talking about?You’ve been fluent in ASL for years.I know Deaf people who don’t sign as well as you do.”
Her cheeks flushed, and she bit her lip.“I guess I have a habit of immersing myself in whatever I’m learning and making sure I master it.”
He waved to his family and friends as they headed for the door.“I’d say you achieved your mission.”
And since she was going home with him instead of any of the other men who’d put the moves on her, he’d say he achieved his.
Mercedes finished wiping off the counter, nearly ready to get supper on the table.It was too hot to have anything cooked, so she’d put together some wraps with a broccoli salad.The front door opened and Evan’s boots clomped down the hallway.Instead of going straight into his room, they detoured to the kitchen.
He tossed his phone on the table, grabbed the liter of Mountain Dew from the fridge, and took a long swig.A loud sigh escaped as soon as he finished.After putting the bottle back, he signed,Shower, then headed in that direction.Poor guy.His thick jeans must have been sweltering in this heat.With his job, he didn’t have a choice.
She wet a paper towel and scrubbed the kitchen table, picking up Evan’s phone to wipe underneath it.Right as she placed the device down, it vibrated.Out of habit, she glanced down at the screen.A text from someone named Keisha.—I need you and your special skills—
What special skills did Evan have, and why was Keisha texting him?When he’d moved in, he’d said he didn’t have a girlfriend.Not that it mattered to her; she just hadn’t wanted ladies wandering in and out.She liked the fact he wasn’t a player, though she’d heard from Carli he dated plenty.Nothing in the three weeks since he’d lived here.That she knew of.
When she heard him leave the bathroom, she grabbed his phone and went into the hall.Oh, boy.Maybe she should have waited.She’d caught him outside the bathroom in only a pair of cargo shorts, his hair damp and mussed.No shirt and no shoes.
It took her a second to catch her breath, then she pointed to his phone.“I was cleaning the table and this buzzed.Didn’t know if it was important.”
He tipped his chin at her and took it, swiped the screen, then gave a low chuckle.He shoved the phone in his back pocket and glanced up at her.“Thanks.”
“Do you need to go out?” she asked.“I only made wraps and salad for supper, so it can wait if you do.”
He looked confused.“No.Home for the night.I appreciate the meal, even if it’s only sandwiches.See, I could have made those, and they might even have been edible.”
