“Wow, you look gorgeous.” He stood, kissed her cheek, and inhaled her fresh scent. “I’ve never seen your hair like that.”
Her tousled, wavy mane gave her a wild, uninhibited look. She’d framed her light eyes with smoky shadows, something she used to do when they played at The Dungeon. Taking his time, he drank her in, his gaze lingering on her rocking hot body.
She’d chosen a long-sleeved, off the shoulder, body-hugging maxi dress. The V-neck offered a hint of cleavage, but it was the long slit that stopped at the apex of her thigh that hijacked his attention. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.
“You are…” Rarely at a loss for words, he struggled with how to describe perfection. “Beyond stunning. My God, you are so beautiful, Evangeline.”
She smiled up at him and the maelstrom of crap they were dealing with faded into the background. “You look very handsome, Sinclair.”
He loved that she had used his full name.
They stopped for dinner at a beachfront restaurant and were seated at a half moon table facing the ocean. Rather than sit across from each other, they slid to the center and sat side by side. Having her near anchored him in every way that mattered.
“Tell me about yourself,” he said. “What do you do when you aren’t working?”
“Sleep,” she replied.
“You work as much as I do.”
The waiter took their drink order, discussed the evening’s specials and left.
Evangeline’s phone buzzed with an incoming text. “I have to check this. My sister is over eight months pregnant and I’m her birth coach.” Evangeline read the text. On a sigh, she replied, then set the phone face down on the table.
“From your sister?” Sin asked.
“Yeah. Charlene Caraway introduced her to someone and he’s latched on to her. I’m concerned.”
“Why?”
“Her boyfriend ghosted on her and she opted not to tell him about their baby. I don’t agree, but it’s her choice. Anyway—” She paused while the waiter delivered their drinks and took their entrée order. “She’s an anxious first-time mom. I keep reminding her that she’s not alone. I’ve gotta believe a lot of new moms are nervous, at first.”
This was the first time she’d mentioned anything personal. He appreciated that she was more forthcoming about her life this time around. “Is she falling for this new guy?”
“I’m not sure. She definitely likes the attention. Joey is a pastoral counselor. He suggested adoption because she’s concerned about raising her child alone.”
He sipped the dry Chianti. “And you’re against adoption?”
“God, no. I’m against a stranger inserting himself into her life and becoming her confidante.”
A food runner delivered their salads and they paused for a moment to eat.
“She texted me that Joey brought over adoption papers for her to sign. I told hernotto signanything. I don’t want her to make a rash decision. This isn’t a pair of shoes you can return because you bought them on impulse. This is a person, an innocent baby.” She shuddered and took a long draw of wine.
“I will help you any way I can,” he replied. “Just say the word.”
“Thank you.” He loved making her smile.
Her phone buzzed. After reading the text, she released a breath. “She promised not to sign anything.”
“Sounds like your sister will be okay until you get back.”
“You’re a good listener,” she said, her shoulders relaxing. “So, what’s it like to have a twin? Did you drive your mom and dad insane when you were kids?”
“Dakota and I didn’t grow up together. I was adopted.”
Silence.
She set her fork down. “I feel like a total insensitive idiot. I’m sorry.”
