Her smile held gratitude.“Thank you.I hate the idea of having to buy something the building manager should pay for, but I need to have water.Do you mind if I come along?”
“I asked, didn’t I?Get some shoes on, and we’ll take my truck.”
Within minutes, they’d gotten to the hardware store and were perusing faucets.He was surprised how quickly she picked out something new, and the fact she’d chosen a simple, inexpensive one.Of course, they were paying for it, so they wouldn’t get something too pricey.If they were lucky, maybe the manager would reimburse them, especially since he wouldn’t have to pay for a plumber.
Trying to find the outside water shutoff was the most difficult part of the project.Once he’d done that, pulling the old faucet out and installing the new one didn’t take more than an hour.He’d gotten soaked with some of the liquid that had still been in the pipes, but it was a small price to pay.
“All done,” he signed.She’d supervised his entire project.He twisted the knobs and showed her that it didn’t leak, and the water pressure was at full.When he faced her way, she wasn’t looking at the new faucet.Her eyes were glued to his wet t-shirt.If he didn’t know better, he’d think she desired him.She licked her lips and sighed before raising her gaze to the sink.Okay, maybe there was some chemistry there.The temptation to act on his feelings, and hers, was strong, but she was too good for him.He’d been thinking that same thing earlier.Maybe it was time for him to get his thoughts out.
"So, I’m wondering if maybe it’s time for me to move out.You’ve put up with me long enough.”
She shook her head and frowned.“What?Why?”
Shrugging, he signed, “I’m going back to my slobby ways.I can’t guarantee I’ll remember to clean up after myself.”
“No, no, no, no.We can figure something out.You can’t leave me.Who will help pay the rent?Or fix the water for me if it breaks?”
“You can call the property manager for that,” he said.
“Like today when he didn’t answer?I don’t want to wait a week to have him fix stuff.Plus, Tasha from work would bug me to move in here.She keeps asking about you.”
He grinned.“Asking about me?Did she see a picture and fall madly in love?”
Mercedes set her hands on her hips for a second.“She saw the pictures I posted online from our trip into Boston.She said you were cute.”
“You agreed with her.Correct?”
“I think you’re quite aware of your looks.”
He grinned deeper.“You didn’t answer the question.You agreed with her that I’m cute, right?”
She pursed her lips.“In your dreams.”
He laughed when her sassy words returned.Truth was, she was in his dreams a lot.
Chapter Eight
What had made Evan think she wanted him to move out?Mercedes racked her brain trying to figure what had happened.Was it something she did?Something he did but hadn’t told her?Had Adam somehow convinced him to move into another apartment together?With the way Evan had talked about living with Adam, she seriously doubted it.
Here, she cooked most nights for him and cleaned the place.Something he seemed to appreciate.Yes, he certainly helped, especially with the dishes after supper each night.He always asserted that if she cooked, the least he could do was clean up.The apartment was located within a mile of the highway and right around the corner from the train station if they wanted to go into Boston without driving.It was also close to the field he played baseball in.All benefits of being here with her.
Having him move out was the furthest thing from her mind.Hopefully, he’d gotten that message.Fixing the faucet right away was incredibly helpful, and she’d let him know that.Had she not mentioned that she liked living with him?Well, she hadn’t mentioned why she liked living with him.How attracted to him she was.How much she enjoyed seeing him shirtless on his way back from taking his shower.Those weren’t things she felt comfortable telling him.That whole seeing-her-like-a-sister thing.
Her phone pinged, and she snatched it quickly.Evan had texted her earlier saying he was going to meet Adam for drinks after work.She’d texted back that she’d leave his dinner in the fridge.There had been no reply after that.No thanks or anything.That had been three hours ago.Maybe this was him now.
Scanning the screen, she saw it wasn’t.Drat.
—How did the dress fitting go?— It was from Carli.Maybe the next best thing to her brother.
—They have to take it in at the waist a bit.I needed a larger size for my larger hips.— She tapped on the emoji with the crazy eyes and tongue hanging out.
—Your hips and waist are absolutely perfect.Evan actually scowls when you malign them.He’s always been into shapelier women.Not that he’s into you, but you know what I mean.—
Did she know what Carli meant?Evan didn’t like when she trash talked her figure.Okay, and he also liked shapelier women.Good to know he wasn’t into the skinny malnourished type who weighed about the same as her left leg.That didn’t mean he was into her.They were friends and now roommates.
—I know what you mean.The dresses are beautiful and I love the color.— The pale peach fabric looked gorgeous with her skin and hair color.The burgundy accents they’d carry and wear were a stunning combination.
—I’m sorry we haven’t had a chance to get together lately.I feel like a terrible friend.There’s been so much to do between the wedding and work.I’ve been putting in extra hours so I can take that two-week honeymoon my husband is insisting on.—
