“I wasn’t going to post it.” Again, she held up the phone. “Let’s get a picture of us.”
Hannah and Charlene returned to the kitchen and Joey darted out, mumbling something about the bathroom.
Dammit. He’s not making this easy for me.
After pouring herself a mug of coffee, Charlene addressed Hannah. “I’m concerned about your being a single mom, especially since you work full-time.” She dumped three heaping teaspoons of sugar into the mug. “But I’ll help you any way I can.”
When Hannah placed her hand over her heart, Evangeline huffed. “Thank you, Charlene. That means the world to me.”
“I’m sorry to bolt, but I’ve got work to do,” Evangeline said.
“Tonight?” Hannah asked.
“Since the news broke that Iwasn’tthe woman in the sex video with Birdie, I’ve got a ton of work to catch up on.” She shot a raised eyebrow at Charlene.
Joey sauntered back into the room. “I look forward to hearing more about your work on Friday.”
As Evangeline was putting on her coat in the living room, Charlene meandered over. “I guess I was wrong about you.”
“Is that your attempt at an apology?”
“In my own way.”
“Whatever.”
“I did want to talk with you about Hannah.” Charlene stepped closer. “I’m concerned about her.”
Here we go.Evangeline shouldered her bag and said nothing.
“She puts in a lot of time as a teacher. Too much. I’m not sure if your mom is…um…really equipped to help out. She’s—”
“Don’t go there, Charlene.”
Charlene fisted her hand on her hip. “At one point, Hannah liked JT’s adoption suggestion. Did you talk her out of it?”
Evangeline inhaled a deep breath, hoping to quell her growing anger. “My sister is an adult who can make her own decisions about her child. Like millions of other single parents, she will figure it out. Stay out of this.”
“I’m only trying to help,” Charlene said with a sneer. “She gets stressed easily. She isn’t strong like you and me. She’s timid and needs to be mollycoddled. Adoption is what’s best for herandher baby.”
Evangeline got in her face. “You were dead wrong about me fucking your husband. You’re wrong about this, too. Mind your damn business, Charlene.”
When Evangeline left, she released a string of obscenities. By the time she walked through Sin’s front door, she was seething. Her evening had been an epic fail.
She found him working in the kitchen. The minute their eyes met, some of her frustration melted away. He rose, pulled her close and kissed her. Anger retreated into the background, leaving him front and center. She tightened her hold and deepened the embrace.
“How’d it go?” he asked.
When she finished telling him about her evening, he said, “Time for me to help you relax.” The wicked gleam in his eyes held her attention. “Trust me?”
“Always.”
* * *
Pulling her flush against him, he nuzzled her neck, nibbled her ear. “I want to make you come with my mouth,” he murmured.
Her breath hitched. “I love your mouth on me.” Then, her eyes turned fiery. With a tempting smile, she sauntered into the family room. Her tight, round ass capturing his complete attention. Off came her sweater, then, she tossed aside her bra.
“Fireplace on,” she said, causing the flames to ignite in the hearth.
