Page 65

I don’t have to face Everly to feel the oxygen leave the muggy box. To sense the rising tension as the weight of those seemingly innocent words settle like a rock in the silence.

But she catches herself and the stricken expression dissolves into one of embarrassment. “I got caught up with work stuff.”

Bryan bobs his head like a puppet. “I figured. You’re always working so hard. Kind of sucks, though, not having you there.”

It’s hard to tell what Everly’s thinking when she’s wearing her polite little smile. The one she can slap on in a second while following Mayor Ferguson around town. Or at church. I’ve seen it slip fluidly into place a million times and still she’s incapable of making that smile reach her eyes.

“Maybe next time.”

The kid rocks forward and back again, but his attention has moved to me and Van, and the open storage unit.

“What are we grabbing?”

None of your business,is my near response, but Everly beats me to it.

“Just picking some decorations up for the party. Mr. Weaver and Mr. Shaw are giving me a hand.”

She could have declared an early Christmas for the way Bryan’s whole face lights up.

“Yeah, I’m really looking forward to it. It’s going to be awesome.” He darts a glance over the row of shelves. “Can I help?”

“We got it,” I cut in before Everly can invite the asshole to join us.

His dumb ass grin dims slightly. “I don’t mind. It’s quiet at the office and I’d rather talk to you, anyway.” His stupid grinreturns with a lopsided charm that he probably thinks is boyish and sweet, but makes him look like someone who’s about to meet my fist. “You look really pretty today. I like your hair like that.”

Definitely about to get his teeth knocked down his throat. My fingers are already tightly bunched at my sides. One more word and I’m flattening him.

“Thank you, but I think we got this covered,” Everly assures him sweetly with a smile she should not be handing out so freely. “I appreciate the offer, though. Say hi to your mom for me, will you? And I’ll see you this weekend.”

He sweeps his fingers through his hair, tussling it like some damnBaywatchreject and puffs out his scrawny chest.

“Sure. Yeah. I’ll see you at the party. Can’t wait.” I think that’s the end of that when he starts to turn away only to snap back with the excitement of a Golden Retriever presented with a stick. “Hey, why don’t I go down with you to set up? I can take a few days off. Mom won’t mind if I tell her I’m helping you. You know she loves you. I can bring the drinks—”

“No, Bryan,” I snap, losing the war at the thought of him getting my Everly drunk. “We have it covered.”

The stupid, hopeful smile vanishes at my sharp tone, but Everly speaks up, casting me a hard glare before facing Bryan with her kindness.

“Thank you, but I have help.”

When he lingers like he has more to say, like he can’t drag his sorry ass away from staring at Everly like some lovesick dickhole, I help him.

“Bye, Bryan.”

He blinks and shuffles and rolls his shoulders back. “Sure. See ya. I’ll catch you this weekend.”

With a fucking wink that sets my teeth on edge, the fucker skips off.

I face Everly once he’s fully out of view. “Stay away from him.”

Her smile slips as she rounds on me with her own simmering anger. “Why? Bryan’s sweet. He’s actually a really nice guy and you were so rude to him.”

“There is no such thing as a nice guy, Everly. Just a guy waiting to get into your pants,” I snap back. “And he’s practically chomping on the bit to climb into yours.”

“That is ridiculous. Not every guy wants to get into...” she cuts herself off and stabs tiny fists into her hips. “I am not explaining myself. Bryan has been nothing but respectful.”

“Respectful? There isn’t a respectful thought in that kid’s head where you’re concerned.”

There’s no missing the heat rising beneath her soft skin when she’s practically glowing like a stop sign. “That’s insane. He knows I’m with Bron, and he has never done anythingto—”