Page 40 of Fixing Hearts

Twenty-Four

J uggling her laptop tote and shoulder bag, Evelyn shouldered the apartment building’s front door open with her hip.

She took the stairs up to her apartment two at a time.

Her mind churned as fast as her legs. The past two weeks had passed in a blur.

Long days spent in back-to-back meetings at the new job, followed by evenings spent helping Jo prep for the block party.

But tonight it was Friday, and there was lots of fun planned.

Or it’s supposed to be fun , she thought as she reached the third floor and power-walked down the hall.

Jo was picking her up in less than an hour.

Plenty of time . Maybe . If I don’t let myself get distracted. There had been a lot of that lately.

Her keys jingling in her hand, Evelyn reached her door and unlocked it, stepping inside with a deep exhale.

She dropped her bags by the door and kicked off her shoes, already loosening the buttons on her blouse as she crossed into her bedroom.

Her phone rang as she peeled off her work clothes.

She gave it a quick glance. Jasmine. She nearly ignored it, knowing she needed every second if she wanted to shower, fix her hair, and squeeze into that dangerously short black dress Jasmine lent her.

Still, it was her sister who always meant well.

With a sigh, she grabbed the phone. “Hey,” she answered, pinning the phone between her ear and shoulder as she opened her underwear drawer.

“Well, hello to you too,” Jasmine said, voice playful. “I thought I’d check in before the big night. You know, one last reality check before you strut off to your glamorous job and leave us commoners behind.”

Evelyn rolled her eyes, tugging a black lace bralette from the drawer. “It’s not glamorous,” she said. “It’s reviewing data from a half dozen different sources and a running tally of who’s behind on submitting their monthly field reports.”

“Mmm. Sexy.” Ignoring her, Evelyn moved to her closet, pulling out the little black dress.

Just holding it up made her pulse quicken.

It hadn’t been very long ago that wearing a sexy blouse to the bar felt overwhelming.

But Jo should really like this, she thought. And I need that now more than ever.

She laid the dress on the bed. “What time are you getting to Sapphire ?”

“Leaving within the next hour,” Jasmine said. “I even talked Sophie and Brooke into dressing extra sexy. We’ll be sitting near the DJ.” There was a pause. “Are you okay, though? You sound… I don’t know. Frazzled.”

Evelyn headed to the bathroom. “I’m fine,” she said, turning on the shower. “It’s just been a long two weeks. Transitioning into the new job, then the block party planning on top of it.” She forced a smile into her voice. “Don’t worry. Really.”

“Okay,” Jasmine said, her tone sounding like she wasn’t entirely convinced Evelyn was fine. “And how’s Jo?”

That one made Evelyn pause. How is Jo? she wondered and looked at herself in the mirror. “She’s good. I think. We’ve been working together a lot, but honestly, she’s been kind of distant.”

“Distant how?”

Sighing, Evelyn leaned against the counter.

“She’s still sweet,” she said. “She texts me first thing every morning. But it’s been.

.. I don’t know. Surface-level? Ever since we talked at the park.

” Evelyn bit her lip, trying not to overthink everything, but it was hard.

“And she hasn’t stayed over. Or asked me to stay there.

In fact, it seems like we are never alone with Mica or Mr. Diaz or someone else around helping to plan the block party. ”

“Really?” Jasmine said, and Evelyn watched her bathroom mirror start to fog.

“Yeah,” she said softly. “We’ve had a couple of goodnight kisses, but they weren’t like before.” She hesitated, thinking of how to describe them. “They kind of felt polite. Very PG13.”

Jasmine was quiet for a long beat. “Have you talked to her about it?”

“No,” Evelyn said, frustrated with herself. “I don’t want to pressure her. Everything’s already changing. She’s dealing with the shop and the break-in fallout, and now the block party. I don’t want to add to her stress only because I miss touching her.”

“Evie, it’s okay to want to be close to someone you care about,” Jasmine said gently. “That’s not pressure. That’s vulnerability. Huge difference.”

Evelyn let the words settle in. “Maybe,” she said. “I’m just hoping tonight can bring us back to how we were.”

“Then wear the black dress.” Jasmine’s smile was practically audible.

“It stopped traffic when I wore it at our cousin’s New Year’s Eve party two years ago,” she said.

It will work tonight. Wear it and remind Jo exactly what she’s missing out on.

” With a laugh, Evelyn hung up and set the phone on the vanity.

She stepped out of her underwear and into the hot spray, washing off the day inch by inch.

Beneath the mounting stress, the pressure of change, and the dull ache of uncertainty, there was still a hope that tonight Jo would look at her and remember everything they hadn’t said yet.

The GTO purred down Burnside like it had something to prove.

In the passenger seat, Evelyn adjusted the hem of her black dress, and Jo felt it happening again.

That crazy flare of chemistry in her chest. And let’s be honest, a few other places on my body , she thought.

It happened every time Evelyn was near her.

The woman was beautiful, intelligent, and more thoughtful than anyone had a right to be, and all Jo could think about was how she had no idea what she was going to do. Or how to not screw everything up .

She gripped the wheel a little tighter. They hadn’t said much since Jo picked up Evelyn.

Only a quick “You look amazing” and a light kiss on the cheek.

For a beat, Evelyn looked like she wanted to initiate something more, but then she settled into the passenger seat.

As Jo pulled away from the curb, she was never more confused.

It was Friday night. My night, she thought.

Where I walk through Sapphire like I own the place.

She clenched her jaw a little. Walking in solo.

But tonight she was not walking in solo. She was walking in with Evelyn.

Add in that it was also the night before the important block party and possibly her last shot at keeping the garage above water. And basically Evelyn’s going-away party , she thought. I don’t think I could have packed more freight into this evening if I tried .

Turning into the alley beside Sapphire , Jo slipped into her usual spot. She killed the engine.

Evelyn looked at her. “You doing okay?” she asked softly, reaching across the console to touch Jo’s arm.

That small gesture made Jo’s heart soften, but she wasn’t ready to go there, so instead she forced her usual sexy smile. “Yeah,” she said. “Thinking about the fundraiser tomorrow. Big day.”

Evelyn tilted her head, clearly not buying it. “Right,” she said gently. “That’s it.”

Not ready to discuss it further, Jo pushed open her door. “Come on,” she said, tossing her jacket over her shoulder. “Let’s go have fun.”

Inside, Sapphire was already pulsing with life. The lighting was low, flashes of color moved across the dance floor. Music thudded from the speakers, the base so thick you could feel it in your stomach. Familiar faces turned toward them as they stepped inside.

“Jo!” someone called near the pool table. “I was starting to think you died or something.”

Smiling, Jo offered a lazy wave. “Still kicking,” she said as another bar regular elbowed her friend and shot a teasing grin Jo’s way.

“Damn, Fuller,” she said. “Didn’t know you came with arm candy now.” Beside her, Jo felt Evelyn stiffen, and Jo grimaced internally as she steered them toward the bar counter.

Jess, behind the bar in a pink tank top, matching hair, and her signature eyeliner, let out a low whistle as she spotted Jo approaching. “Look who the cat dragged in,” she said, reaching for a glass out of habit. “The usual?”

“Yep,” Jo said quickly, and Jess looked at Evelyn.

“And for your lady?”

Unable to help herself, Jo flinched a little, and before she could answer, Evelyn stepped closer to the bar.

“Cosmopolitan,” she said softly. “Thanks.” As Jess turned to make the drinks, Evelyn leaned closer to whisper in Jo’s ear.

“Don’t worry. I’m not asking you to announce our relationship on the bar’s PA system. ”

Jo nodded, grateful for Evelyn’s patience but even more grateful for the drink that arrived in her hand seconds later. “Thanks, Jess,” she said, slipping a bill over the counter.

Jess winked. “You better be back on the dance floor tonight,” she said over the music. “It’s not a Friday without you.”

Feeling a tug of anxiety in her stomach, Jo saluted with her beer.

“Cheers to being infamous,” she said before they made their way through the crowd toward the high-top where Jasmine, Sophie, and Brooke already waited.

Jasmine caught sight of them and waved enthusiastically.

Evelyn waved back as she grabbed Jo’s hand to lead them to the table.

Forcing herself to go with it, Jo followed.

When they reached the table, Sophie gave a little whoop. “The guest of honor arrives.”

Jasmine pulled Evelyn into a hug. “I told them you wouldn’t miss a chance for a going-away party,” she said, then gave Jo a look. “Nice of you to escort her.”