Page 33 of Hot and Bothered

Maybe it was time to start believing in myself.

14

Since Evan and I had come in early, Mason let us take off before the bar closed. That meant we actually got to have an early evening to ourselves.

“What do you say we have a date night?” Evan asked as we kicked off our shoes in the front hallway of his apartment.

I couldn’t stop a silly grin from spreading across my face.

“I’d love that,” I told him. “What should we do?”

“Dinner and movie?” he suggested. “I’ll do the cooking,” he was quick to add.

I made a face but had to agree that letting me touch the stove again was probably a bad choice.

“Can I watch you?” I asked. “Maybe I can learn a few things.”

“You could chop veggies, or watch the pasta so it doesn’t boil over,” he said. “As long as you promise not to slice open your hand with the knife or drop the pot of boiling water all over the floor.”

“Oh. Um.” I winced. “Maybe it’s best if I sit this out, actually.”

Evan hooked an arm around my waist and pulled me in close with a chuckle.

“You can keep me company from a distance,” he said.

“I’m sorry I’m so useless,” I said.

“Don’t beat yourself up,” he said. “Not everyone can cook.”

“It’s not just cooking,” I said. “I don’t feel like I’m good at pretty much anything.”

“You helped Mason today,” he pointed out. “I heard him say you found the problem.”

“You’re right.” I straightened my back, feeling a bit better. “I did.”

“See?” Evan said as he pulled ingredients out of the fridge. “You’re not useless. You just need to find out what youaregood at. Don’t stress about it. You’ll find your way.”

I came up behind him and wrapped my arms around his chest.

“You’re wonderful,” I told him.

He put his hands on mine.

“Your family really did a number on you, didn’t they?” he said.

I stared at the back of his head.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I just have to wonder what your parents must have been like, how they must have raised you, for you to have such little faith in yourself.”

My lips dipped down into a frown as I pressed my cheek to Evan’s back.

“My parents weren’t terrible,” I said. “They gave me anything I ever wanted.”

“But did they give you what you needed?” he asked.

I let my arms fall and backed away. Evan turned so we were face to face.