Page 30 of Rule 5: Never Crush on the Captain

A few minutes later, Michael Bublé music streams from the room.

Evan’s eyes widen.

“She has grown up taste,” I say.

“Guess so.” Evan shrugs. “Last dinner, we listened to the Aladdin soundtrack. You’re lucky.”

“I like Aladdin.”

“Me too,” Evan admits.

We stare again, and I force myself to look away. At this rate, he’s going to figure out I have a crush on him. He’s going to figure out I have more than a crush on him. I’m not ready for that.

I take the chicken out of the oven and follow Evan to the dining room.

And it takes my breath away.

It’s romantic...

Red petals are strewn over the floor, and the air is definitely more fragrant than before. It smells like Evan’s Tom Ford cologne.

Evan’s cheeks redden. He looks at Stella. “This is—”

“Fancy?” She beams happily.

I glance at the table.

“That’s the special China,” Evan says.

“Isn’t Vinnie a special guest?”

Evan swallows hard, then glances at me. “Yes. Of course.”

I gaze at the table. She’s put tall candles that weren’t there before. “Want me to light the candles?”

She grins. “Yes!”

“Where are the matches?”

Evan closes his eyes. “In the drawer in the side table.”

I find them easily, and Stella bounces around me. I light the candles, and Stella flicks off the lights, then bolts into her chair.

I glance at the napkins that have been folded into something...maybe fans.

“These are pretty, Stella!”

“I looked up how to do them on the internet,” Stella says.

Evan blinks. “How resourceful.”

He shoots me a bewildered glance.

“It’s nice that you’re so helpful to your father when he’s been injured,” I say.

“I have the best dad.”

Evan’s eyes glisten. I know that comment means everything to him.