She turned her head to reply but quickly spun it back once she realized how close it put their faces. Much too close for comfort after Christmas night.
Though artichokes didn’t appeal to her, she dipped a scoop on her plate anyway in support of Evan and added several bite-size chunks of bread. She filled the remainder of her plate with Swiss cheese and crackers, taco salad with tortilla chips, and barbecue meatballs.
“You can eat in the living room,” Luke announced. “You don’t have to stay in here.”
As they made their plates, they each returned to the living room. Kate turned the television to one of the countdown shows, but no one paid it attention.
“Your tree’s gorgeous.” Janie admired the old-fashioned theme with plaid ribbon, homemade ornaments, and electric candles. “I didn’t notice all the details when I saw it before.”
“That was our compromise this year—a traditional theme but one that wasn’t the standard glass bulbs and white lights.” Luke grinned at Kate. “She helped me decorate my tree last year, and I told her I didn’t want ordinary. I ended up with an LSU theme.”
“What’s wrong with that?” Evan ribbed Luke. “It’s not scarlet and gold, but a close second.”
“Not a thing wrong with those colors. I’m a proud LSU alum, but purple isn’t a Christmas color.”
Kate pointed at her husband. “He complains, but guess whose idea it was to put a small LSU tree in the bedroom this year?”
“It seemed like a waste to only use them for a year.” Luke winked, then popped a tortilla chip filled with dip in his mouth.
Bryce swallowed a bite and raised his hand. “Not that talk of trees isn’t fascinating, but there’s a more important matter to discuss.”
“What could possibly be more important than Christmas trees?” Sophie lifted her plate. “Unless it’s about this amazing fondue.”
“You read my mind.” Bryce’s eyes widened. “This is amazing, and I don’t normally care for artichokes.”
“Evan made it.” Kate volunteered the information instantly. “He’s turned into quite the cook.”
“All I did was follow a recipe.” Typical Evan, brushing off the compliment.
“That doesn’t always guarantee success.” Bryce ate another scoop. “You should call my cousin, Dani. She’s looking for another chef to open up a second location.”
Evan snorted. “Yeah, okay. Until a month ago, I didn’t even know a teaspoon from a tablespoon. I’m a far cry from a chef.”
“Dani taught herself, and she’s the best cook I know, next to Gran.” His expression demonstrated his pride in his family. “If you’re interested, I can talk to her.”
“Thanks, but I’m far from qualified, and I still have my life in North Carolina.”
“All right, but if you change your mind, let me know. You’ve got natural talent with food.” Bryce dropped the subject and continued eating.
Janie’s heart palpitated, and the meaning of it scared her. She’d worried Evan wouldn’t stay in North Carolina. For months, she’d braced herself for the announcement he’d leave and return to Louisiana. Wyatt had already left, and Jared made it clear he didn’t plan to stick around once his contract ended. But Evan—she’d be lost without him. And the immense relief that he wasn’t leaving told her a fact she hadn’t wanted to face.
She’d developed feelings for him that extended beyond friendship. For her part, the kiss hadn’t been a fluke. She hadn’t realized it then, but now she knew she’d wanted it to happen. But did those feelings translate into wanting a relationship?
The weight of her wedding band became extraordinarily heavy on her finger. The ring Mike had slipped on her finger as they’d recited vows.
Memories of the crushing pain when she’d first heard the news surged forward. She reflected on the last year and how difficult it had been to put one foot in front of the other each day. How in the dark hours of the night, her heart still ached until she cried herself to sleep.
If only she could take back that kiss. She had no future with Evan—she couldn’t risk that level of pain ever again.
Every minuscule brush of Evan’s arm against hers, every time he looked at her, became a harsh reminder of what she couldn’t have. Too many thoughts attacked her at once, and the room closed in on her.
If she didn’t get out of there, she’d scream. She hadn’t felt this out of control in months. Standing up, she set her plate on an end table. “Excuse me.”
She focused on slow steps, so as to not draw attention to her current meltdown. Let them think she needed the restroom or a refill on her drink. She did grab a cup and fill it with ice cold water, took a large gulp in hopes it would numb her.
Go back in and enjoy the evening. Tomorrow’s worries will take care of themselves.
She finished off the water in a second swallow. Regaining her composure, she convinced herself to return to the living room with shoulders held high, like nothing had changed. Essentially, it hadn’t. She’d ignore her feelings for Evan until they disappeared, then she and Evan would remain friends as they’d always been.
