Mercedes would love a two-week honeymoon or even a vacation somewhere.—Hey, sweetie, be thankful he’s taking that much time off.He’s such a workaholic.I remember all the times you were upset because he had to cancel on your dates.—
—True.I am looking forward to being together, just the two of us, without his parents, especially his mother, sticking her nose into things.Blake hasn’t even told her where we’re going for our honeymoon.She keeps bugging me for the information, but I’ve told her he hasn’t let me know and I want to be surprised.—
Carli’s future mother-in-law was something else.Mercedes could only hope that, when the time came for her to get married, her mother-in-law was a nice, warm person.Someone like Cheryl Jameson.Now why did she pop into her mind?She and Evan would never be together in that way.Brian either.He was nice, but they’d never spent tons of time interacting outside of being with his family.She and Evan did stuff together all the time.
—Do you know?You don’t have to tell me where.I’m hoping it’s somewhere warm and tropical.—
—I don’t know exactly so I’m not lying to his mom.I have an idea of the general vicinity and, yes, it’s warm and tropical.Let’s make plans to get together soon.I’ll shoot you Blake’s on-call nights, so we can plan for one of those.—
—Perfect.I’ll have to make sure Evan knows he’s on his own for supper that night.— Though she’d be willing to whip something up he could reheat quickly.
—You’re too much.You’re going to spoil him for any woman he might want to marry someday.No one could live up to your standards.—
Why did those words hurt yet feel so good?The thought of Evan finding another woman twisted her insides.
—I’m sure he’ll eventually find a woman who’s right for him.Once he grows up a little and stops hanging out at bars after work.Send me the schedule and we’ll pick a date.— Could she ever get him to consider her as that woman?Were they right for each other?Most likely not.
—Haha, is that where he is tonight?Probably Barney’s, right?I’m not sure he’ll ever outgrow that place.I’ll talk to you soon.Love ya!—
Mercedes sent a heart emoji and swiped her phone off.Evan still hadn’t responded to her earlier text.He certainly wasn’t required to, but it would have been polite to at least say thanks.
After making a cup of tea, she meandered to her room, sat on the bed, and placed the cup on the bedside table.She retrieved her journal from inside the drawer.Since the time she was twelve, she’d been writing in one.Back then, they’d called it a diary and hers had been typical with the little lock and key.The flimsy one that someone could break simply by pulling hard on it.Thankfully, her brother hadn’t looked at it more than once, and that one time, he’d gotten to weed the garden, cut the grass, take out the trash, and be banned from watching TV for a month because of it.He’d never done it again.
In the past, she’d written all her childish dreams in the book, all her worries, all her sorrows.Evan had been on quite a few pages at times.
Turning to the newest page, she scribbled the date and sighed.Now she used the journal as more of a therapist, a free one who never actually gave you any advice but listened intently and let you say whatever you wanted, no matter how rude or inconsiderate.
Tonight, Evan would again be the focus of many of the pages.
Evan pushed open the door of Barney’s and searched the room.He was meeting Adam here for a few drinks.Guilt ate away at him that he’d told Mercedes he was coming here right after work.He hadn’t.He’d put in some overtime after they’d had some glitches with equipment.For some reason, he felt the need to stay away from their shared apartment for a while.He was still trying to figure it out.
Adam waved from a high top near the back of the room.Three bottles already littered the table.Evan wove his way through the crowd and waved at Sandy, a waitress who’d been here for years, to come to the table.
Took you long enough to get here,Adam signed, then tipped his beer up for another swig.
I told you I had to work late, and I’d get here when I got here.I’m here now.And still covered in dirt, though doubtful Adam cared.He’d at least tried to shake or brush off as much as possible before he got in his truck.He’d also parked halfway between here and his apartment in case he had too much to drink and couldn’t drive home.That way his vehicle would still be close by in the morning.
Sandy approached and made sure to face him.He loved that she always accommodated them.“What can I get you, hon?”
“Hamburger with onion rings, please.”He’d practiced this order many times, so she’d understand.
“Same as always?”At his nod, she added, “Draft beer?”
He nodded, and she about-faced and headed to the bar.
Mercedes not slaving over a stove tonight for you?Adam wore a smirk that Evan wanted to wipe off.Since he knew Mercedes did indeed slave over a stove often for him, he reeled in his annoyance.
I’m sure she cooked for herself.I told her I was coming here.
Adam’s sneer didn’t sit well with him.You have to check in with the little woman before you can go out?You got the ball and chain already attached, and you aren’t even getting anything from her.
Evan gritted his teeth, itching to punch his friend in the face.Why had he said he’d join him here tonight?Oh, yeah, he wanted to stay away from the apartment.I texted her, because it’s the polite thing to do for a roommate.Especially one who is kind enough to make dinner for you every night.
Adam’s mouth widened in a laugh.He began telling Evan about staying at his parents’ house and how lousy it was.Evan didn’t really pay attention.His mind was more on his roommate and why he was avoiding her.
They’d had too much fun in Boston.Simple but stupid.It had gotten him thinking, always dangerous as Mercedes was apt to tell him.As much as he wanted to be with Mercedes and enjoyed her company, he knew it might not be a good idea to get too used to it.Someday she’d find some other guy who was well suited to her, and he’d be left in the cold.Oh, they’d probably always remain friends.They’d known each other too long.Still, if he got any closer to her, he’d be in for a world of trouble.She was someone he could see himself with for a long time.He couldn’t fall for her.She deserved someone who could read a damned book.
Thankfully, Sandy returned with his beer and a bowl of pretzels.She flashed him a smile and a wink.
