Page 7

Chapter seven

Rhett

If I had known just how much of a struggle it would be to ignore my attraction to Evie being around her so much, I might have protested the whole temporary roommate situation a little more.

Because over the last few days that I’ve been home, we’ve fallen into a morning routine that feels a little too comfortable.

And uncomfortable, all at the same time.

I’m waking up thinking about her, knowing she’s just down the hall, wondering if she’s awake or still sleeping. I’m getting in my shower, fully aware that I’m naked and she’s in my apartment. To say nothing of when I hear her shower turn on and have to stop myself from picturing her naked.

It’s just basic biology. Put an attractive woman in front of any red-blooded man for long enough and he’ll feel something. Especially when that woman is smart as a whip, kind, and funny.

Biology doesn’t give a fuck that she’s your best friend’s little sister, that you’ve known her for years, or that you’re only meant to be looking out for her and giving her a place to stay.

I’m an early riser, thanks to spending so much time at my grandparents’ place. Horses and cows don’t wait for nobody, and I was the one responsible for the morning feed. I’d come in from farm chores around six every morning to my mom and Nana already sipping coffee, talking about the latest romance novel they’d finished reading. Even now, years after moving away from the ranch, I’m still used to being the first one up.

But Evie’s been up even earlier, thanks to Ruthie. Which means by the time I make it to the kitchen, she’s usually got the coffee going.

It’s just good manners for me to pour two cups instead of one and fix them both up the way we each like it.

Not that I’ll let anyone in on the fact that I know just how much sugar and milk to add to Evie’s mug. But the grateful smile I get when I slide it across the counter to her is worth it.

Ruthie bounds over to me and tries to jump up and climb my leg. She’s gonna be too big to pick up soon, but that doesn’t stop me from scooping her up for a snuggle. She’s too dang cute to ignore.

“Mmm. I needed this, thanks. I hope we didn’t wake you last night,” Evie says, her voice still a little raspy with sleep.

I shake my head and set the pup back on the floor before moving to where we’ve been keeping Ruthie’s food, getting her breakfast dished up. “Nah, I slept like the dead.”

That’s a lie.

My body seems attuned to my new roommates. Both times she got up with the dog, I was awake in an instant, and didn’t fall back asleep until I heard them come back in. “She should be able to go all night soon; I think because she was a stray she’s a bit delayed. But normally, by four or five months they can hold it. ”

“Oh, thank God for that.” Evie slumps into one of the stools, setting down her coffee and resting her head on her hand. “I’m exhausted.”

I hide my grin as I put down Ruthie’s food dish. “Yeah, a puppy is a full-time job at first. You’re doin’ great.”

She gives me a tired smile as the dog noisily starts devouring her food. “Thanks, Rhett. I really appreciate that. You’ve been a big help.”

I tip an imaginary hat her way and wink. “No problem, darlin’. Happy to help.” I meant it to be casual, my usual flirting that doesn’t mean a damn thing. But Evie’s blush has me feeling kinda weird about it.

Grabbing my coffee cup, I move out of the kitchen and sit down on the couch. I’m about to ask what she wants me to add to the grocery order when her phone rings. She glances down at it, and curses under her breath. “It’s my mom, I have to answer this.” She looks back up at me, her eyes widening. “She doesn’t know I’m staying with you. Can you, um, hide or something?”

My eyebrows raise. “Hide? In my own apartment?”

Evie nods vigorously. “Yes! It’s a video call. Hurry up. Please? I’ll just stand by the window so she can’t tell where I am.” She gestures at me in a shooing motion and I’ll be damned if I don’t do as I’m told, going back down the hall to my room.

Even so, I can hear their voices.

“Hi Mom,” comes her chipper greeting, and then her mother Helen’s reply.

“Hello, sweetie. How are you doing? All moved off campus?”

“Yeah, it was pretty easy. I didn’t have a lot of stuff, you know that. ”

I peek my head out the door, angling so I can try to see Evie. Her voice sounds nervous, and sure enough, when I see her by the window, she’s wrapping a long strand of black hair around her finger, twirling it.

“Your dad and I want to come out and visit, watch a game or two, but I’m not sure when we’ll be able to. Oba-chan has some appointments coming up.”

Evie stops twirling her hair. “Is she okay?”

“Yes, yes, just getting some tests. She’s been feeling tired, that’s all. Have you been taking care of yourself? Are your prescriptions all filled?”

“Yes, Mom, I got new inhalers just last month. I’m fine.”

The exasperation in Evie’s voice is evident, and I get the feeling this is a common question from her parents. But Helen doesn’t seem to mind, carrying straight on.

“Good. Now, tell me about your job search. Have you applied for anything yet?”

I’m also curious to hear this, even though I know I should just ask Evie myself. It’s a perfectly appropriate conversation topic, after all.

“No, I haven’t seen anything worth applying for yet. I’m looking every couple of days, though.”

“Something will come up,” is her mother’s confident reply.

“Hope so.” Evie turns slightly, and I duck back into my room before she can see me.

“Evangeline, where are you? That doesn’t look like Kai’s apartment.”

“Ahhh,” Evie stammers.

Without another thought, I hustle out of my room and walk over to her side, smiling at the phone. “Hey, Helen, how’re you doin’ this fine day? Evie was just dropping something off I left at Kai’s last night.” It’s an outright lie, and I can only hope she hasn’t talked to Yami recently.

Evie and Yami’s mom beams at me. “Rhett. Lovely to see you.” But then she tilts her head to the side, and her smile fades. “Why is Evie dropping it off, won’t you see Kai at the stadium later?”

A foot kicks my shin, and I glance over to see Evie shooting daggers my way. Okay, so maybe I didn’t think my plan through that well.

“Sure, but I was needing this particular thing before we have practice and Evie was goin’ past my place.” The lie rolls off my tongue way too easily. I give her a smile. “Your daughter was nice enough to make the stop so I could have my, ah, shoes, for my run this morning. You know how it goes, gotta have the right shoes.” I finish with a wink, and thank fuck, Helen seems to buy it.

“I see. Well, I hope you enjoy your run. Evie, text me later? We’ll catch up when you aren’t running errands.”

Evie turns the phone toward herself and plasters a big smile on her face. “Okay, Mom, say hi to everyone for me. Love you, bye.”

She ends the call and smacks my chest. “I had to drop something off?” she says, her voice incredulous. “What the heck, Rhett!”

I hold up my hands. “It sounded like you needed a save.”

Evie just huffs, letting her head fall back as her eyes roll up to the ceiling. “I’m a grown woman, Rhett, I didn’t need a save.” The position pushes her tits against her shirt, and it becomes abundantly clear she’s not wearing a bra.

She lowers her head back down, and I see the second she registers just how close we are, and what I might be able to see. Her cheeks go red as she folds her arms over her chest. “I…I should get dressed.”

“Not on my account,” I say in a low voice, then wince. “Sorry. That wasn’t... Shit.” I grab the back of my neck, feeling my own face heat up. “Sorry.” There I go opening my damn mouth and being all flirty again.

She’d have every right to smack me across the face, but instead, when my traitorous eyes dip back down, I see those nipples are even stiffer against the fabric holding them back.

Fuck me.

Ruthie barks, and we both startle as if coming out of a trance. “Okay. I’m gonna go now.” She slips around me and is gone, her bedroom door shutting seconds later.

Leaving me wondering how the hell I’m going to deal with the fact that I am more than aware that Evie Yamaki is one hundred percent grown woman.