Sighing, I mumble, “Like a Greek God mated with a body building rock star.”
“So what’s the problem?” Macy asks.
“We sort of…work together.” The table is filled with groans as the ladies nod in agreement.
“Run from that shit,” Macy agrees.
“I know. I’m roped into this charity carnival thing with him. After that, no more contact.”
“You sound like you’re trying to convince yourself,” Marie warns.
“Despite his caveman mentality, he’s charming and fun, but I know better than to get involved with someone like him. I’m sure there’s a trail of shattered hearts behind him.”
“A playboy, huh?”
“Too gorgeous not to be.”
Chapter Three
The jackhammer pounding away at my skull wakes me the next morning. That third glass of wine was a mistake. Before I can drag my hung over ass out of bed, there’s a knock at my door. Great. It’s not like I want to brush my teeth or shower before I face another human being.
“Who is it?” I ask, not recognizing the woman through the peephole.
“I have a delivery for Ms. Everly Hall from Mr. Reed.”
Seriously? It’s seven a.m. on a Saturday. The lady grins at me as if I don’t look like death’s grandmother. “Sorry to wake you, Ms. Hall, but Mr. Reed insisted I deliver these.” A thick manila envelope is placed into my hand.
“Thank you,” I mumble, but the woman is already halfway down the hall. Deciding the package can wait until I can see clearly, I head for the shower. My thoughts stray to Mason as I get cleaned up. It’s not like I’ve never seen a hot guy before. I’ve had a few, but I always know where to draw the line.
Never sleep with someone who works with me, lives near me, or is a friend of a friend. It makes things too awkward when the inevitable end comes. Relationships are temporary and it’s a hell of a lot easier to deal with that fact when you don’t have to see that person again after it’s over.
Dating Mason would be totally against my rules, but that doesn’t stop me from thinking about him. I mean, maybe I couldhave him just once. I’ve never seen him before at S.B. and I’ve been there for months. Maybe it wouldn’t be an issue. Yeah, this is me trying to find a loophole. I can’t wait any longer to see what he sent me.
I dress quickly and towel dry my hair before flopping on the couch with the package. Evie is scrawled across the center of the envelope. Christ, even his handwriting is sexy. When I tear off the end, twenty day passes to Adventure River slide into my lap. He really sent passes for the kids! I’m confused by the twenty red paper wristbands I find next until I read the accompanying note.
Evie,
The wristbands are for unlimited rides at the carnival. Let me know if you need more. Remember to bring the other counselors. I want you all to myself for our date. I’ll be thinking of you, beautiful.
How am I supposed to resist this? He’s just arranged for fifteen underprivileged kids to spend a day at a waterpark and the evening at a carnival. Why is he doing this? To make sure I’ll go? If so, it’s working. I can’t cancel now.
After a piece of toast and some orange juice, my head feels much better, and though it’s not one of my usual days to volunteer at Building Tomorrow’s Child, I can’t wait to tell the kids. Danny, one of the boy’s counselors, answers the phone when I call. “Hi, Danny, how’s everything?”
“Just fine. Are you in today?”
“No, but I wanted to stop by. I have a surprise for the kids. Is it a good day?” Danny knows what I’m asking. There are a lot of challenges in running a group home, and that simple question encompasses a lot of others. Are there irate parents giving you shit? Are social workers or cops coming to inspect? Is one of the kids having a bad day?
“Everything’s calm and peaceful, all things considered. Come on by. The kids will be glad to see you.”
“On my way.”
I can’t resist stopping at a donut shop on my way. “Sweet tooth?” The elderly man behind the counter grins as he takes my order for four dozen donuts.
“Fifteen hungry kids,” I reply with a laugh. “Half of them teenagers.”
His eyes drift to my B.T.C. pin. “You work at the orphanage?”
“At the group home, yes, I volunteer.”
